Wifi, splitting

[Toad20#]

I recently updated my talktalk internet and it seems unknowingly my router has been 'switched' to run at 5Ghz setting. I have BG smart plugs setup around the house and they all started failing. It seems they only run on 2.4Ghz. i have checked some other smart plugs (Tapo) and their instructions tell you they only run at 2.4Ghz too. At the moment i have gone back to old mechanical plugin timers! Can anyone tell me how to set my router up to 'split' the channels or do i need a new router from talktalk!? Help!!? 

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Toad20# 

Please just bear in mind that using split SSIDs is now against TalkTalk's recommendation as I explained before. I only told you how to do this as a temporary method, until those devices had connected.

[ferguson]

You can do that if you prefer, as long as the devices see the renamed 5GHz band. You will need to login afresh on each one individually though. That's what I used to do in the past when I had a similar setup.

EDIT: Reading your last post again, I see that is what you seem to have done already, I missed that bit, sorry. So yes, carry on!

[Toad20#]

I've switched my devices over from the 2.4 to the 5g just by using the 5g ssid with them. Doesnt it make sense to leave it as it is now with the 2 ssids running and just connect to either one if its needed? Forgive me for being an old doughnut here! 😜🤔 

[KeithFrench]

Yes because currently the normal SSID is totally used by the 2.4GHz band. Once you have initially connected the problematic devices, you can then rename the 5GHz band back to what it was. Only then will 5GHz compatible devices be able to connect to the 5GHz band.

[Toad20#]

Right keith, finally i seem to b getting sumwhere! So now i have a band1  2.4g, and band2  5g. Only all the devices seem to b connected to the 2.4 and nothing on the 5g, is this right? Or do the devices other than the smart plugs all need swapping over to the 5g band? I notice the 2.4g is quite slow and the 5g faster?   And does that involve anything?   

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Toad20# 

I have just tried it again, it does not strip out the password and it is easy to do, even if you are making this change from a device connected to the 5GHz band at the time. Assuming that to be the case, this is how to do it. After logging in to the router, go to:-

Dashboard > See Wi-Fi Settings > Manage Advanced Settings > Wi-Fi 5Ghz gear icon > Basic

Then in the SSID field add the 5G to the current WiFi name, so once again, if the SSID originally was MySSID, change this to MySSID5G. Note that this is the only change made below in the red box for the SSID and that the password in the yellow box remains unchanged. Finally, click the Apply button:-

Rename SSID field, password remains unchanged

Then you will receive a confirmation screen, click the Continue button:-

Confirmation

If you have done this from a device connected to the 5GHz band, there will now be a minute or so delay whilst the changes are made and the device will automatically reconnect to the 2.4GHz band. No device can currently connect to the renamed 5Ghz band, as they will not know how to connect to MySSID5G (obviously your SSID will probably be different) until you configure that device with the password for this renamed band. Again this will be the same password as your 2.4GHz band.

[Toad20#]

So i'll still have to try and sort all this out with that one!!? 

I've been with Talktalk for as long as i can remember!! How on earth can just swapping your contract over cause someone so much hassle? 

[KeithFrench]

If you reply to the email address, that is a "no reply" email address, so I would not have any chance of getting it, you must always reply in your thread. It looks like it has removed your password, so try again & put the password (same as the 2.4GHz band) back in. 

The new router will not have the wifi band names split at all, they will use the same name for both bands. TalkTalk are now recommending that you do not split them at all. However, currently, you can still physically do this.

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Unfortunately no, the router wouldn't already been configured as this is sent from our equipment warehouse.

Michelle

[Toad20#]

If the new router will be all configured to have the separate 2.4g and 5g bands so i shouldnt have to go thru all this that would be most appreciated michelle. 

[Toad20#]

I replied thru my talktalk email yest to you? I'm guessing you didnt get anything? I tried again the way you suggested, i put 5g after the talktalk ssid, tried to 'Apply' the setting and it wouldnt let me. I'm just getting frustrated as xxxx with it all now. 

 

 

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Toad20# 

Didn't my help work to split the WiFi band names then?

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Morning @Toad20# 

I'm sorry to hear this. Would you like us to send a replacement router to rule this out?

Thanks

Michelle

[Toad20#]

I'm not! Since i "upgraded" with talktalk this is turning out to b the biggest headache ever!!! I cant seem to get into the settings people are suggesting and am just getting totally frustrated 🤬

[Chris-TalkTalk]

Hi Toad20#,

How are you getting on?

Chris

[KeithFrench]

I am sorry but your screenshots do not show the 5G on the end. If you are connected to the 5GHz band when you make that change, it will drop the WiFi connection. As an example if your SSID was:-

MySSID

Then when connected to the 5GHz band you change it to:-

MySSID5G

That becomes a totally different network, which your PC does not know the password to, requiring you to make a new connection to MySSID5G. It currently only knows about the MySSID network. It is always best to do this when the PC or other device that is making the changes is connected to the other WiFi band or easier still, use an Ethernet cable connection.

[Toad20#]

Keith i managed to log in to my talktalk on a laptop. I went to the areas you suggested. I tried to add 5g to the end of my ssid....and it lost connection?? I really dont know how this is supposed to sort it out. I tried my BG smart plugs and they still say i'm only running a 5g band and no sign of the 2.4g.

I'm not happy with talktalk and how this is not working!! 

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Morning @Toad20# 

How are you getting on?

Thanks

Michelle

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Toad20# 

This will be much easier for you if you can do this with a PC/laptop etc, rather than a mobile device. You will find the router password on the label on the rear of the router, behind the pull-up panel. Please log into your router by going to:-

192.168.1.1

Then go to:-

Dashboard > See Wi-Fi Settings > Manage Advanced Settings > Wi-Fi 5Ghz gear icon > Basic

On this page look for the SSID field. Just add something like 5G to the end of the current SSID name & leave the password as it is. Then click the Apply button.

You now have two different network names (SSIDs), one for the 2.4GHz band (the original name) and another for the 5GHz band.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Toad20# 

I will get back to you on how to do this, later today.