topic Re: 802.11n PC can't see Wi-Fi Network in Broadband & Landline

802.11n PC can't see Wi-Fi Network

MatBailie — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:06:47 GMT

We have inherited an old PC with built-in WiFi but it's only 802.11n and can't see the SH+'s network / SSID.

I've read that the SH+ should have an option to revert from WiFi 6 to WiFi 5, but this option is not visible. Apparently it was removed in the latest firmware?!?

I've tried activating the Compatibility Network, but this still shows on my phone as a WiFi 6 network (and can't be found by the inherited PC). There are also no options to revert to WiFi 5 or 802.11n

Turning off 5GHz doesn't change things.

Do EE's hubs honestly not support 2.4GHz n Wi-Fi devices?!?

This PC is for a 9 year old girl and EE's hub is proving extremely disappointing.

Re: 802.11n PC can't see Wi-Fi Network

XRaySpeX — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:26:04 GMT

In Compatible WiFi you should have the 2.4 GHz band ON & the 5GHz band OFF.

Re: 802.11n PC can't see Wi-Fi Network

MatBailie — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:26:25 GMT

I even tried disabling WPA completely, in desperation, but that didn't help.

Re: 802.11n PC can't see Wi-Fi Network

JimM11 — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:49:48 GMT

@MatBailie Wi-Fi n is pre wi-fi5 just so you know and although some did support both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz some did NOT and are only 2.4Ghz devices, the easiest way may just be to get hold of a USB wireless w-fi device for the operating system on that old PC you should be able to get a wi-fi 5 device that will work, take a search on Amazon to see!

The hub supports it all and comp mode wpa2-psk on the 2.4Ghz band would be the way to go..

Re: 802.11n PC can't see Wi-Fi Network

MatBailie — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:52:45 GMT

Tried that, tried to describe it in the OP.

Compatibility network, with or without 5GHz, doesn't show up on the PC. When connected via phone, it still shows as WiFi 6.

Re: 802.11n PC can't see Wi-Fi Network

MatBailie — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:56:44 GMT

N is retroactively known as WiFi 4 now, I know.

I'm just gobsmacked that a domestic device has no ability to enable compatibility with 802.11n

Even Virgin Media have more controls and better compatibility.

Re: 802.11n PC can't see Wi-Fi Network

XRaySpeX — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:58:54 GMT

Some say that leaving the default '-' or '_' out of the Compatible WiFi SSID makes things work. I don't believe it myself but am willing to be convinced.

Re: 802.11n PC can't see Wi-Fi Network

bobpullen — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:36:15 GMT

@MatBailie wrote:
Tried that, tried to describe it in the OP.
Compatibility network, with or without 5GHz, doesn't show up on the PC. When connected via phone, it still shows as WiFi 6.

Compatible WiFi should work in principal. Also, your phone will show WiFi 6 if the phone supports WiFi 6. The presence of WiFi 6 does not preclude 802.11n.

There are ways to check what the hub is doing/whether or not it supports 802.11n by interrogating its WiFi beacons using something like Wireshark (there are probably easier ways), but I'm not sure it's worth the effort because I'm near as confident that you'd find it supports 802.11n.

What network card is this PC using and have you checked that there aren't any later/more recent drivers that could be installed?

Edit: after a spot of Googling, I wonder if it's an RTL8188CE, or something else Realtek with a similar spec 🤔

Re: 802.11n PC can't see Wi-Fi Network

MatBailie — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:00:19 GMT

I'm not at their house right now, but it does appear to be RTL8188CE (In a Lenovo IdeaCentre B540)

Driver appeared to be latest when I tried to update it.

Have ordered a cheap USB dongle, and she'll have to wait another week to use her new "school work PC"