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Slytton's avatar
Slytton
Follower
May 29, 2021

2.4ghz and 5ghz rbr40

Is there a way to have all devices on 2.4 ghz and one device on 5ghz? I have Orbi rbr40 with 2 satellites. Thanks

1 Reply

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User

    Slytton wrote:
    Is there a way to have all devices on 2.4 ghz and one device on 5ghz? I have Orbi rbr40 with 2 satellites. Thanks

    If devices have only a 2.4G WiFi radio in them, or devices have a software feature to restrict connections to 2.4G (such as Windows 10 has), then sure.  Orbi broadcasts its capabilities ("I can do 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, etc." The device looks at the available WiFi access points and selects which access point and which speed it wants to use.)

     

    There is no mechanism on the Orbi to (a) control which frequency a device uses to connect, or (b) control which Orbi access point it connects to.

     

    If you already have the Orbi, there is an experiment you could try:

    • On the Orbi web interface, Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings, uncheck the box "Broadcast SSID" on the 5G channel.
    • Devices which have only 2.4G WiFi are no issue. They connect only at 2.4G
    • This is the tricky part.  For devices which support both 2.4G and 5G WiFi, go to each of them and
      * "forget" the Orbi WiFi.
      * Search for WiFi and select the Orbi WiFi
      * It will be the 2.4G frequency
      Why is this tricky?  Because the instant the device "forgets" the Orbi WiFi, you may lose connection to the device and have to set it up again from scratch, which can be really tedious. (Imagine climbing ladders to get to security cameras, etc. etc.)
    • On that device that needs to be at 5G
      * "Forget Orbi WiFi"

      * select the option to enter the WiFi SSID/password manually
      * Hope that the device sees both the 2.4G and (hidden) 5G WiFi and connects at 5G

    Why is it an experiment?  Because I have no confidence that devices will not learn "Oh, that access point can also do 5G" and change frequencies.