Should be simple WiFi question, but???

On My T-Mobile Home internet Gateway, I have two SSID one for the 2.4gh band and one for the 5gh band,
Administration options allow naming, band choosing, channel, even setting the power level of each band, I'm no router expert, but I think this is a pretty common feature these days

wa8yxm wrote:

bob_nestor wrote:

Some routers like the Archer use unique names for 2.4 and 5 gHz and distinguish between them by appending a "_5g" to the SSIDs. Others, like some of the ASUS routers, can use a single name for both and when a device tries to connect it automatically selects the correct WiFi. ASUS calls this feature "Smart Connect" and it can be enabled or disabled via the web interface to the router. However, there are some devices which have difficulty connecting if this is enabled in the router. I have both an Archer and an ASUS along with various tablets, phones and such. At least one of my Android tablets can't deal with the auto-select.

The POS my internet provider provided.. Did not have the option to name just one band different. It only had one SSID/PSK
Which is why I got the TP-Link Archer 10

And glad I am I did it. also turns out I was renting the POS and the pay back on the Archer is about 1 year.. I'm double happy with that.

Yeah, renting that equipment doesn't make sense to me either - much cheaper to buy your own and accept the small risk that it may need to be replaced.

I use an ASUS RT-AC3200 for my main router w/WiFi in the house for my small home network, and I have an Archer C50 in my RV barn for WiFi in the workshop and for RV camping guests to use. It is hardwire ethernet connected to the ASUS. Overall I like the ASUS unit much better than the Archer, but both work just fine. When on the road with the RV I have a grandfathered AT&T hotspot ($20/mo unlimited) in the RV that's wired to be always on.

bob_nestor wrote:

Some routers like the Archer use unique names for 2.4 and 5 gHz and distinguish between them by appending a "_5g" to the SSIDs. Others, like some of the ASUS routers, can use a single name for both and when a device tries to connect it automatically selects the correct WiFi. ASUS calls this feature "Smart Connect" and it can be enabled or disabled via the web interface to the router. However, there are some devices which have difficulty connecting if this is enabled in the router. I have both an Archer and an ASUS along with various tablets, phones and such. At least one of my Android tablets can't deal with the auto-select.

The POS my internet provider provided.. Did not have the option to name just one band different. It only had one SSID/PSK
Which is why I got the TP-Link Archer 10

And glad I am I did it. also turns out I was renting the POS and the pay back on the Archer is about 1 year.. I'm double happy with that.

On the router change the name of the 5 GHz to same name CAPITALIZED.

wa8yxm wrote:
Get a new router I had that kind of router(One SSID two bands) and several devices refused to connect to it

My New TP-Link Archer-10 has 3 SSIDs two are the same ..almost.. I set them to the 2.4 GHz SSID to the same as the old router (Saves logging in all the old hardware) likewise the PSK I set the same.. The 5 GHZ band is the same save for the addition of 5GHz to the ssid..making both of the bands Unique The Third SSID (Guest)is optional.

Now my printer works over Wi-Fi. Smart plugs and devices work.. and Raspberry Pi's are very very solid.

Some routers like the Archer use unique names for 2.4 and 5 gHz and distinguish between them by appending a "_5g" to the SSIDs. Others, like some of the ASUS routers, can use a single name for both and when a device tries to connect it automatically selects the correct WiFi. ASUS calls this feature "Smart Connect" and it can be enabled or disabled via the web interface to the router. However, there are some devices which have difficulty connecting if this is enabled in the router. I have both an Archer and an ASUS along with various tablets, phones and such. At least one of my Android tablets can't deal with the auto-select.

The other issue with connection to WiFi has to do with hidden SSIDs. Most devices let you manually enter the SSID and password to connect to an SSID that is hidden or not advertised. Some devices can't do that like a couple of the inexpensive Android tablets I have. At least one of the Androids I have also has an issue trying to reconnect to a previously known (and saved) SSID if that SSID is later hidden which isn't a problem for better engineered devices.

As for hiding SSIDs, some feel it offers some additional level of security, others claim this isn't true. Hiding the SSID at least keeps people who aren't all that tech savy from seeing and trying to connect to your WiFi though.

In short, if the tablet is an inexpensive (cheap) one, it may have a number of small nagging issues trying to connect to, use and reconnect to WiFi. But as others have stated, if the tablet doesn't support 5ghz, it won't see when it's available and therefore can't/won't use it.

As another person already posted the easiest way is just to rename each network. For me I name one of them 'yourwifiname here24' and the other 'yourwifinamehere5'
to be able to distinguish which one to connect too by just addint the '24' or '5' at the end of your wifi name.

Get a new router I had that kind of router(One SSID two bands) and several devices refused to connect to it

My New TP-Link Archer-10 has 3 SSIDs two are the same ..almost.. I set them to the 2.4 GHz SSID to the same as the old router (Saves logging in all the old hardware) likewise the PSK I set the same.. The 5 GHZ band is the same save for the addition of 5GHz to the ssid..making both of the bands Unique The Third SSID (Guest)is optional.

Now my printer works over Wi-Fi. Smart plugs and devices work.. and Raspberry Pi's are very very solid.

You should be able to select which frequency you want to use in the router settings. I know mine works that way, I can select either 2.4 or 5.

stickdog wrote:
I just a retired carpenter but what I understand if your tablet does have 5G your not going to get it.

Not 5G - 5 gHz. Not the same thing.

DD716TED wrote:
My home Xfinity router outputs both a 2.4 ghz band and a 5 ghz band... I am trying to use an app on my Samsung A7 tablet that strictly requires the 2.4 band. When I look at settings / connections, it only shows the name of the WiFi network in use BUT not whether it is the 2.5 or 5 ghz which both have the same name.. Any ideas on how to determine which one the Tablet is using? Thanks in advance for any help..

Didn't you answer your own question? The router admin page will tell you what is connected to what but if the tablet only uses 2.4, there is your answer.