Re: Disable 5GHz

Sanden · ‎2021-03-01

Hi,

I an Orbi Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System 3 Gbps model # RBR50V2. One band is 2.4 GHz and the other two bands are 5GHz. I can’t set-up a Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell with my iPhone. The doorbell is not compatible with 5GHz networks but only can connect to a 2.4 GHz network. Is it possible to disable the 5GHz bands and only have the 2.4 GHz band active to allow set-up of the video doorbell? If video doorbell can be added, how to I disable the 5GHz on my router? Can the 5GHz bands be reactivated once the doorbell is added?

Thank you for your help!

plemans · ‎2021-03-01

You can't disable the 5ghz wifi.

you just need to make sure your phone is on 2.4ghz to set it up.

what you can try doing is to disable the 5ghz ssid broadcast (radio is still on) and then turn down the broadcast power on the 5ghz.

Then just shut off the wifi on your phone and turn it back on. You might need to move a bit away from the router/satellites. many times that'll cause the phone to connect to the 2.4ghz so you can get through setup.

schumaku · ‎2021-03-01

@Sanden there is no such requirement. All radios connect to the very same network.

-> https://helpcenter.netatmo.com/en-us/smart-video-doorbell/connection-network/advanced-network-troubl...

schumaku · ‎2021-03-02

@vajim wrote:
I had the same problem a few years back with a weather station

you must force your phone to 2.4

These issues were caused by dumb discovery/installation Apps requiring the phone on a 2.4 GHz "network" which did not allowed to continue otherwise. The Netatmo Security App does not have such a requirement.

schumaku · ‎2021-03-02

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your advise @vajim

When you think about on how virtually all[*1] these discovery processes work, you will see that a factory default or reset IoJ will put up some hidden SSID (open, secured with some shared security, or with security key related or derived from to the BSSID AKA. radio MAC), and the App will put the previous active SSID (including the security key on Android, on iOS the user has to enter it because it's not readable by an App AFAIK) is pushed to the IoJ wireless client, so it will hopefully be able to connect to the normal SSID. At no point (!!!) having the mobile mobile phone connected by 2.4 GHz radio is required. This strange idea comes from the time where people had different SSIDs and security configs for the different radio bands - that's why some crappy Apps check if-connected-by-2.4GHz-go-ahead-else stop code in place. These App designers wanted to avoid that wrong SSID and security (from the 5 GHz radio config) is pushed to the device. This problem does not exist on a Mesh system with single SSID and security setting over all APs. Some slightly enhanced apps allowed to continue regardless, other Apps silently avoided to push the what-they-thought-is-5GHz-config-data to the IoJ.

[*1] Some more advanced IoJ use Bluetooth, some even NFC, for discovery and config programming - this makes the device resp. the radio interfaces on the board (much) more expensive.

CrimpOn · ‎2021-03-02

@schumaku wrote:
At no point (!!!) having the mobile mobile phone connected by 2.4 GHz radio is required. This strange idea comes from the time where people had different SSIDs and security configs for the different radio bands - that's why some crappy Apps check if-connected-by-2.4GHz-go-ahead-else stop code in place. .

I find these two statements inconsistent.

My experience with at least two smart plugs is exactly that: the setup app "stops code in place". What then can the user do?

In both instances, I forced the phone to the 2.4 connection, did the setup, and went on my way.

schumaku · ‎2021-03-02

The complete explanation proofs that AT NO STAGE OF THE PROCESS the radio used for the network connection has any relevance. It's about ignorant App design - not about using whatever band for the network connection.

Complain to the makers of this IoJ, leave negative feedback on their products and Apps- and refer to posts like mine above.

Note: Virtually no wireless client, including mobile phones have a control for using a 2.4 GHz connection. The suggestion is complete obscure and does not reflect networking reality of the year 2021. Well, it was wrong years ago when the junk was designed and implemented.

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-03-02

Its due to the fact that this IoT mfrs don't allow there sofware to work on phones that are dual band. There stuck on 2.4Ghz only on there code and mfrs don't take into consideration that 2.4 and 5Ghz are on the same network. If the Mfrs of the software allowed for both bands to be used, this would not be an issue.

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-03-02

Log into the Orbi web interface (http://orbilogin.net)
Navigate to the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings
Uncheck the box, "Broadcast SSID on 5G"
Click "Apply"
All devices that are currently connected to the Orbi will remain connected.
On the smartphone, go to wireless settings and "forget" the Orbi SSID
Search for available WiFi networks. Select the Orbi WiFi. Enter the password. and connect.
If you are curious about whether the smartphone is actually connected at 2.4G, you have to wait a few minutes, because the "Attached Devices" display takes a while to update.
Open the app and set up the 2.4G device.
Once the device is connected and working as it should, reverse the steps.
Check the "Broadcast" box and click "Apply"
"Forget" the Orbi WiFi. Search. Enter password. Connect.

Be aware that there seems to be a time limit with some iOS or Android devices that will connect to the 2.4Ghz radio for a short period of time before changing automatically to the 5Ghz SSID, even though it's been hidden. The SSID is hidden only, thus the signal is still present. So you might want to also change the power output of the 5Ghz radio to 25%. Then connect your mobile device at a distance from the RBR to ensure the mobile phone keeps connected to the 2.4Ghz radio. After you get the IoT device connected, re-configure the system back to where it was.

@Sanden wrote:
Hi,
I an Orbi Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System 3 Gbps model # RBR50V2. One band is 2.4 GHz and the other two bands are 5GHz. I can’t set-up a Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell with my iPhone. The doorbell is not compatible with 5GHz networks but only can connect to a 2.4 GHz network. Is it possible to disable the 5GHz bands and only have the 2.4 GHz band active to allow set-up of the video doorbell? If video doorbell can be added, how to I disable the 5GHz on my router? Can the 5GHz bands be reactivated once the doorbell is added?

Thank you for your help!

Sanden · ‎2021-03-03

Hi,

Thank you for your suggestions. When I go to Advanced Wireless Settings I don't see "Broadcast SSID or 5G". I see the following:

Name (SSID)

2.4GHz Channel Auto

5GHz Channel 48

What do you recommend?

CrimpOn · ‎2021-03-03

@Sanden wrote:
Thank you for your suggestions. When I go to Advanced Wireless Settings I don't see "Broadcast SSID or 5G". I see the following:
Name (SSID)
2.4GHz Channel Auto
5GHz Channel 48

That is the Wireless Setting under "Setup".

At the bottom of the menu is Advanced Setup. Broadcast SSID is a check box on the menu Wireless Settings under Advanced Setup.

No clue why Netgear did it this way.

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-03-03

So you don't see these check boxes anywhere?

Sanden · ‎2021-03-03

Hi,

Thank you again for your direction! I'm a tech novice and your screen shot was most helpful. I will try later to continue through the steps you outlined.

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-03-03

schumaku · ‎2021-03-03

We both know that there aren't any serious ones:

Making the 5 GHz invisible [hide], forget and reconfig the wireless on the mobile, quickly try to IoJ config paired with hope & pray the mobile device does not quickly roam to the hidden SSID,
wrapping the router in tin foil (a little bit difficult on a Mesh system),
simply make distance form the Mesh location to hope the mobile device can see the Mesh only on 2.4 GHz (not that easy if you have an AC connected IoJ where you might have to press a button, too; or
the engineer's solution temporally connect a crappy old router with the 2.4 GHz configured to the same SSID, security key/passphrase, and security setting instead of the Mesh system (yes, this is the only one which isn't a hack), and
last but not least try to convince Netgear for adding this ill-fated split garbage (which Netgear prayed to be the standard for almost two decades - disallowing the same SSID for much to long...).

If the consumers don't complain the it IoJ makers NOW, this "disable 5 GHz", "split SSID", "connect mobile on the 2.4 GHz"... nonsene will continue for years.

schumaku · ‎2021-03-03

One more for the list - thank you @italianbeef and @striker69 for the reminder:

I Found That You Need To Use 2.4 mhz, I Have An Older Tablet That Connect's With 2.4. Once You Connect The Smart Bulb You Can Use Other Devices Even If They Are On 5 mhz.

Sanden · ‎2021-03-04

Hi,

On my iPhoneSE, do I go to Settings and select Wi-Fi? Once I open Wi-Fi do I close the Wi-Fi name that is connected to the Orbi router? Then I go back and reactivate the name of the Wi-Fi connected with the Orbi router? I'm not sure what you mean "forget" the Orbi SSID? Thank you!

CrimpOn · ‎2021-03-04

@Sanden wrote:
On my iPhoneSE, do I go to Settings and select Wi-Fi? Once I open Wi-Fi do I close the Wi-Fi name that is connected to the Orbi router? Then I go back and reactivate the name of the Wi-Fi connected with the Orbi router? I'm not sure what you mean "forget" the Orbi SSID? Thank you!

Found this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208941

schumaku · ‎2021-03-04

Well, another consumer marketing disinformation. Providing a single SSID to connect to a single network using two or more WiFi radios isn't Mesh - it's 802.11k, 802.11v, and sometimes 802.11r where seamless roaming is available what the industry does designate as Mesh system, regardless if it's a single box (like a WiFi router or ISP provided WiFi CPE), or when the marketing message is a little bit louder if there are two or more boxes involved. Every middle-class to top-of-the-line consumer router and CPE does implement this for a longer time. Only very basic routers or AP don't allow this config.

Said that - even the (few) WiFi systems listed on the Wikipedia Mesh Networking page are technically not Mesh systems. Most WiFi "Mesh" are hub-and-spoke (if a wireless backhaul is in place). The most popular example which is really a Mesh is ZigBee as used for smart bulbs/lights..

This must be enough excursion into this off-topic subject.

cbell4444 · ‎2021-03-17

I thought I was stuck in the nightmare of 2.7.2.104 (upgraded yesterday, then lost internet). Now, it's just Orbi hell... After downgrading to 2.7.2.102 AND doing a factory reset, the nightmare continues. Here is what my Advanced --> Setup --> Wireless Setup screen looks like:

@FURRYe38 any ideas?

cbell4444 · ‎2021-03-17

Until the mods approve my screenshot, here's the text of my screen:

Wireless Settings

Wireless Network
Name (SSID): bellhome
2.4GHz Channel: Auto
5GHz Channel: 48
Security Options WPA2-PSK [AES]

Security Options (WPA2-PSK)
Password (Network Key): •••••••••••••••• (8-63 characters or 64 hex digits)

Which is *exactly* like the Basic Wireless Settings screen Anyone else seeing this?

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-03-17

How did you factory reset the system? Button press or thru the RBRs web page using the ERASE function under Advanced tab, Admin, Backup?

cbell4444 · ‎2021-03-17

Button press for 15 seconds. Willing to try the other method. Is there a difference?

FURRYe38 · ‎2021-03-17

Ya that should have worked. Try the RBRs web page ERASE function and see. I'd disconnect the WAN port from the RBR from the modem and all other wired devices from the RBR accept for 1 wired PC.

The ERASE should clear out everything and if you clear your browser caches as well, then reenter 192.168.1.1, you should see a web page letting you know to use the Orbi app to set up the router or down at the very bottom select this link if you don't want to use Orbi app.

cbell4444 · ‎2021-03-18

Will try it this afternoon...