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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.
You're welcome. I wish this info had been there for me to find, and would have expected something from Netgear themselves to this effect. They definitely know about the problem, but choose not to acknowledge it or provide the needed help.
For me, none of the potential workarounds work, without spending a huge amount of money. I only have two choices: buy a new iPhone to replace my top of the line phone that's just over 2 years old (so I can toggle the Hotspot compatibility switch that was introduced on the iPhone 12, which forces the phone to operate on 2.4 ghz), or upgrade to the 960 Orbi (the upgrade cost alone is more than I spent for the system I have, but other than connecting to smart devices, it has no added value to me -- I'm already operating at the maximum speeds offered by my internet service provider and top end modem).
I'm looking at switching to the business gear, but Netgear seems to think that's a bad idea (I think it's poor support on their part to discourage it and not have information available on what the issues are or what the precise differences are between the two).
It's a nasty snag that Netgear should have addressed a long time ago with firmware updates and/or a rewritten dashboard that adds back this basic functionality that they took away. Or, they should get rid of the 760 and 860 series Orbi's and replace them with the 960 for the same cost.
Thank you for all your help .... and that from others ... during this hurdle with my ORBI installation. I thought it worth making a quick video to explain my specific solution to help others " https://youtu.be/HlOTInD5Bso ". I sure hope this workaround works for other IOT devices that I might buy.