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How to connect 2.4GHZ Devices
I just bought few smart plugs. But they only connect to 2.4 Ghz. How do i add them to my home network as they will not show up in App on my phone for a setup. I have a good coverage in my house so mo...
Kcobra1 wrote:I just bought few smart plugs. But they only connect to 2.4 Ghz. How do i add them to my home network as they will not show up in App on my phone for a setup. I have a good coverage in my house so most of the time phone is on 5Ghz.
While the smartphone apps for many (most?) Internet of Things (IoT) devices are able to deal with "mesh" WiFi networks, there are some which are poorly written and simply fail to work when the smartphone is connected at 5G. What has worked for many people (including me) is this:
- Access the Orbi web interface (http://orbilogin.net) using the admin credentials user "admin" and the Orbi router password (not the WiFi password)
- Navigate to the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings
- Uncheck the box "Broadcast SSID on 5G Channel"
This will not affect any devices which are currently attached to the Orbi at 5G. - On the smartphone settings, "forget" the Orbi WiFi
- Search for WiFi networks and select the Orbi WiFi
- Enter the WiF password and connect
- At this point, open the IoT app and go through the steps
- After the device is connected, reverse the steps
Check the box "Broadcast SSID"
"Forget Orbi WiFi"
Search for and connect.
This sounds like a lot of work, but doesn't take very long.
p.s. "Poorly written" may seem harsh, but GEEZ. My TP-Link, Belkin, Eufy, Teckin (and other) smart plugs connected immediately. I have only had one that required the above steps. For one plug, I simply ignored the warnings "MUST connect to w.4G" and kept hitting "Continue" until it worked. "TAKE THAT!", I said.
Kcobra1 wrote:I just bought few smart plugs. But they only connect to 2.4 Ghz. How do i add them to my home network as they will not show up in App on my phone for a setup. I have a good coverage in my house so most of the time phone is on 5Ghz.
While the smartphone apps for many (most?) Internet of Things (IoT) devices are able to deal with "mesh" WiFi networks, there are some which are poorly written and simply fail to work when the smartphone is connected at 5G. What has worked for many people (including me) is this:
- Access the Orbi web interface (http://orbilogin.net) using the admin credentials user "admin" and the Orbi router password (not the WiFi password)
- Navigate to the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings
- Uncheck the box "Broadcast SSID on 5G Channel"
This will not affect any devices which are currently attached to the Orbi at 5G. - On the smartphone settings, "forget" the Orbi WiFi
- Search for WiFi networks and select the Orbi WiFi
- Enter the WiF password and connect
- At this point, open the IoT app and go through the steps
- After the device is connected, reverse the steps
Check the box "Broadcast SSID"
"Forget Orbi WiFi"
Search for and connect.
This sounds like a lot of work, but doesn't take very long.
p.s. "Poorly written" may seem harsh, but GEEZ. My TP-Link, Belkin, Eufy, Teckin (and other) smart plugs connected immediately. I have only had one that required the above steps. For one plug, I simply ignored the warnings "MUST connect to w.4G" and kept hitting "Continue" until it worked. "TAKE THAT!", I said.
Still relevant and working in 2022. Thank you. I have Phillips Wiz lights for my recessed lighting and they started acting buggy not all properly showing up in the app. I had to manually delete the lights and I was having a hard time getting them repaired. As soon as I went in and turned off 5ghz, they all instantly paired up and I have everything working again. I wish they provided this setting to do from the app itself, instead of having to go into the settings from my computer.
The SXK80B3 includes "everything but the kitchen sink" as far as customization goes.
- A separate WiFi network for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, where you can
- Turn SSID broadcast on/off on both 2.4G and 5G networks
- Give the 2.4G and 5G networks different SSIDs
- The same options for the Employee network.
Netgear removed the option to control SSID broadcast on the residential Orbi line, which angered many customers.
- Hello,
I have uncheck the broadcast ssid 5ghz and forgot the wifi network on my pixel 6, but the cell phone still connect to wifi 5ghz. So I'm still unable to connect my IoT device.
- A separate WiFi network for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, where you can
I tried following these instructions to connect my new Shark Robot vacuum. It did not work. any help from anyone?
What kind of phone do you have, and if iPhone, is it less than 2 years old?
If you have an iPhone 11 or earlier, there is no solution, other than replacing your Orbi system with the pro version. The consumer Orbi can't separate the 2.4 and 5.0 bands, unless you have the 960 series.
iPhone 12 or later has a compatability feature that can be turned on under Personal Hotspot, which forces the phone to use 2.4ghz. Android makes it a bit easier.
So the choices are:
1. get a new phone
2. upgrade your consumer-version Orbi to top of the line 960 series (a LOT more money)
3. trade your consumer Orbi for a pro version which has more features and controls (e.g. SXK80 - AX6000)
bad_guy wrote:
What kind of phone do you have, and if iPhone, is it less than 2 years old?
If you have an iPhone 11 or earlier, there is no solution, other than replacing your Orbi system with the pro version. The consumer Orbi can't separate the 2.4 and 5.0 bands, unless you have the 960 series.
This is misguided and erroneous. Many many people have successfully installed their IoT things with new iPhones. Unfortunately, Apple does seem to like to make things difficult, with measures like "random macs", but careful attention to detail get around that.
There is no need for separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
How to go about this has been explained here many times and depends on the end users circumstances as well as the devices involved.
Those devices are at the heart of the problem. Too many of them come from makers who just don't know what they are doing.
A good way to look for help is to search this place fr the model of the device you want to set up.
So the choices are:
1. get a new phone
2. upgrade your consumer-version Orbi to top of the line 960 series (a LOT more money)
3. trade your consumer Orbi for a pro version which has more features and controls (e.g. SXK80 - AX6000)
That is rubbish and is best ignored by anyone who wants to setup their IoT devices.
michellebehnke wrote:
I tried following these instructions to connect my new Shark Robot vacuum. It did not work. any help from anyone?
You have joined in on an existing conversation that may or may not have anything to do with your problems.
There is also a good chance that the official support team is busily monitoring new conversations and may miss your addition to this one.
If you do want help with your problem, check previous stuff that may be related then start your own discussion.
If you do decide to ask a question, you should provide more details and your own version of the information that the forum suggests that you provide. For example, as this is a router, it helps to know what modem you are using and the various things that you have tried to fix the problem.You could also try this:
Search - NETGEAR Communities – Shark Robot vacuum
Essentially, there should be no need to mess around with wifi bands. The people who made you vacuum cleaner need to sort out how their stuff works.
