Forcing 2.4 or 5 GHz by device

[Cliff_G]

Not long moved to EE, we have an EE Smart Hub Plus.

We are seeing connection problems with one laptop, (older but not that old!), with the wifi dropping out, whereas a newer laptop is fine.  I managed to get the older laptop to connect at 2.4 GHz (by chance I think) and it was then a solid connection, but I am not sure that the problems we experienced were due to it being previously on 5 GHz.

Can I force the subject laptop to connect to 2.4 GHz?  My previous router allowed different SSIDs for 2.4 vs 5 so you could easily connect at the speed you wanted.  The Smart Hub Plus does not seem to have this facility. However, it has Compatible mode, which is currently off.  Is that the way you do it?

TIA

[JimM11 · Accepted solution]

@Cliff_G More than likely, turn on comp network, set it to wpa2-psk mode off operation and connect the laptop to that ssid once it is all enabled. There is NO WAY to split the bands on any EE hub as they do not allow it, but more than likely the main wifi on WPA3-T is causing the older laptop to have stability on the connection, the Transition mode that the -T stands for can be real problematic with connections...

There is also a 6 Plus and a 7 Plus now so you are aware.

https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/getting-started/compare-our-range-of-broadband-hubs

[XRaySpeX]

Yes, Compatible WiFi is the way to do it. It defaults to 2.4 GHz only & WPA2.

[Cliff_G]

Thanks.

I've started the comp network and so far so good but will only be confirmed with some decent usage. I see I can force the Comp mode to 2.4 or 5 by turning them on or off, so that provides a test to force to 5 and see whether it was the 5 GHz causing the drop-outs, or as you say the old laptop maybe having problems with the transition mode.

The security options given are only WPA2-Personal or WPA-WPA2-Personal so I have used the former.  Can't see a "wpa2-psk", or is that the same and why would you want it off?

Another question, the main Wifi has WPS enabled. Why, when WPS is less secure?  OK, it does seem to use the long high-strength password but allows press-button access.  Is this set "on" because I have a Home Phone Adapter and this was originally connected using push-button access?

Finally, do you know what the Wifi SSID "EE Wifi" is, which appears to have no security, and can I turn this off?

Thx in advance

[Cliff_G]

Thanks, see my other reply.

[JimM11]

@Cliff_G It's the WPA2-Personal option just different method's off saying it all. Do not use the WPA / WPA2 option.

WPA2-PSK stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2- Pre-Shared Key. It is the most common Wi-Fi security standard for home and small office networks.

Disable the WPS if you do not want any one to use the quick connect pushbutton option, there for easier and quicker connect when device's don't have a method to connect easily, ie printers etc.... Your example of the DVA in use for the landline is similar, but the DVA is using DECT Frequency and NOT your wireless wifi in any shape or form. When looking on the screen you will see the start wps from software, that is when the WPS button get's disabled and when allowed to be used, ie WPA3 NO WPS at all, not allowed.....

For me i always go change the ssid, the ssid password and the admin password, keeps all the prying fingers away from the network, WPS don't care much about it at all.

If you are working close and within the 5Ghz range, speed will be higher just by the nature off the connection, 2.4Ghz stronger signal distance wise but speed is lower, ie 150-300Mb/s on 2.4Ghz as against 866Mb/s for the 5Ghz and that is all theoretical my old 5Ghz does 1700/1700 sync on wifi 5 but peters out around the 1200 mark... 

Finally the EE WiFi is free for any BT/EE customer to rock up to your home, see the connection join YOUR network and suck away your bandwidth, was an old BT way and resurrected by EE some 6 months ago, very very naughty off them! Can be disabled but you need to work that one out think it is and linked below.....

Using EE WiFi at Home and Out and About | Mobile Help | EE

Help & advice | Find WiFi hotspots | EE WiFi

[XRaySpeX]

WPA2-PSK is the personal version of WPA2.

 In your online EE a/c under Manage > Plans & Subs > Manage broadband > EE WiFi (at bottom) > Learn more about EE WiFi > Opt Out . This will also stop your own access to EE WiFi.

[Cliff_G]

Thanks, sorted. Now off (when they get round to it).

For others looking for the same, the current click-throughs are:  ee.co.uk / Login then go to https://ee.co.uk/plans-subscriptions/ OR:

/ Manage (9 dot square) / then on the row which their pop-ups keep covering over (take your cursor down the right hand side of the page, to avoid!), headed "Manage" (Billing, Broadband, Home Phone ... etc) select Broadband, takes you to https://ee.co.uk/plans-subscriptions/broadband / then scroll down to the bottom, last item above the footer links / EE Wifi

[Cliff_G]

Thanks Jim, you've also answered my unsaid question too about how the Home Phone Adapter communicates.

Yes, I think the old laptop had problems when used at the extremity of the house (the router is bang on central in the house) and may have connected at 5 GHz hence the problem.  So far no problems in the same place and ob 2,4 GHz compatible.

Whilst I have now turned off my free EE Wifi, I'll now be able to keep an eye out for other such access points when travelling 😉

[Cliff_G]

Thanks everyone, all sorted now (he said tempting fate...)