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kevin009's avatar
kevin009
Star
Oct 06, 2020
Status:
New Idea

Ability to force devices to 2.4Ghz or disable 5Ghz band temporarily

I purchased an Orbi router and I'm not able to use my phone to configure my devices that only support 2.4Ghz (alarm clock, security cameras).  A lot of devices require your phone to be on the 2.4 ban...
Orbi WiFi System
WiFi Routers
JCasetta's avatar
JCasetta
Tutor
Nov 03, 2020

I had the same situation and I had one of the gurus help me.  The title was Split Wifi Networks for the Orbi AX6000

I am cutting and pasting the answer below they gave me that assisted and worked with my 2.4 devices which consisted of a Refrigerator, Washer & Dryer, GE Hood, Dishwasher, Ceiling fan and other various wifi gadgets.

 

 

The problem you're having may not have to do at all with 2.4Ghz vs. 5Ghz because your 2.4Ghz devices do not support and cannot see the 5Ghz network at all.  Instead, there may ne other factors affecting the wireless compatibility of your new Orbi AX system with your wifi enabled appliances.  Let's first try these changes:

  1. In the latest V3.2.16.6_1.4.4 firmware in orbilogin.com Advanced... Setup Wireless you can uncheck AX mode just for 2.4Ghz.  In older firmware versions you could only uncheck AX mode for all bands.
  2. If that doesn't help, in Advanced... Advanced... Wireless Settings change CTS/RTS Threshold for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz from 64 to 2347.  I found this helped with AX 2.4Ghz wireless compatibility with many of my home devices in the older firmware versions, but it may not be necessary anymore with the latest firmware.
  3. Finally, another thing to try is in Advanced... Advanced... Wireless Settings you can temporarily change the Transmit Power Control for 5Ghz from 100% to 25%.  Then setup your older wifi devices.  Once they are setup you can restore the 5Ghz power back to 100%.

One other factor is that often these devices are setup using an app on your phone.  This can be problemmatic if your phone is connected to Orbi's 5Ghz wireless network and you select that in the app for your 2.4Ghz device (so it will not work).  Depending on how the app works internally, if the app offers an alternative method for selecting the wireless network (like typing the SSID in) then try that vs. using the networks seen on your phone.  Unfortunately your phone sees the 5Ghz network but your devices need the 2.4Ghz network.