Set up WiFi to be Dual Band (2.4 & 5Ghz)

[mrt77]

I have a Google Wifi 1st Gen (I think, how does one know?).  How can I set it up to be dual band?  I have a printer that can only connect to 2.4Ghz network and I don't think its set up for both.  It must have been initially because I was able to connect my printer to it but now I am not.  I have not seen any documention or anything in the Home app that lets me do this or even check if it is working in dual band.  Thanks.

[olavrb]

Not possible.

• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6293481?hl=en

This is probably the most discussed topic in here, so do a quick search if you need more info, maybe you find a workaround.

Summary: 2.4ghz and 5ghz is combined into one SSID, and can't be split up. Google shows no interest in changing this behavior.

[mrt77]

Thanks.  I finally got to the bottom of it from the info in the link you sent plus another real good posting here that I can't find now.  But basically I had to take my printer out of 5ghz range and then it would connect just fine to 2.4ghz.  Google Wifi does not give you a way to switch between these too or even give them their own names, which is a shame (it is all automatic).  Anyway, all I had to do was literally bring my printer into another room and it worked fine, who'd have thunk it!  Sure did take a LOT of digging though to find such a simple solution.

[AbigailF]

Hey folks, 

Thanks for lending a hand, @olavrb.
@mrt77 and @MitchB2082, I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know if you are still having any concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,
Abi

[MitchB2082]

Hi AbigailF,

I have talked to google WiFi support and they have nothing other than what has been posted on their website.   Robby at Chrome Unboxed shared with me what he does to get around this issue. He sets his phone up as a hotspot with the same Network identifier and PW at 2.4 ghz. He says once its setup it connects. 

I tried this, but the smart life app would not setup using my phone hotspot.

If you have any ideas I am open to them. Just to clarify I am trying to connect a wall light switch using the Smart Life app. 

Thanks 

[AbigailF]

Hello MitchB2082,

Thanks for the update. Could you provide the case ID number of your interaction with our support team? I'd like to take a look at your case.

Best,
Abi

[MitchB2082]

Hi Abi,

Sorry I don't think I can, my interaction was via chat with the WiFi support team. I first contacted the Google One support and was directed to the help center. 

From what I can gather, whatever is on the Google support website is what there is for this issue, nothing. .

[MitchB2082]

Hi Abi,

I wanted to update you, with a whole lot of trouble shooting and chance I discovered the problem.

It turns out the problem was not the Google WiFi, I was using the Smart Life App to setup the WiFi switches, which has worked fine for the last five years. 

I thought at first the WiFi switch might have been the problem, so I ordered two new switches, Gosund brand. and installed their app. Well it turns out the WiFi switches old and new setup over Google WiFi with no issues using the Gosund app. 

Thanks 

Mitch

[AbigailF]

Hey everyone, 

Awesome — glad to hear that your issues are now resolved. It looks like we can consider this one complete, so I will lock the thread shortly unless I can help out with anything else. 

Best, 
Abi

[mrt77]

This is what helped me, only place I saw this and it worked (and it was super simple)!

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Wifi/Did-guest-network-settings-change-and-no-longer-def...

[MitchB2082]

I am having the same issue, connecting  a wifi switch. I received  an email from Google support and they have directed me to try this and see if it helps.

To ensure a seamless transition of your 6 GHz-capable device between 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz band operation, you'll need to turn on WPA3 for the older 2.4 and 5 GHz bands as well. To enable WPA3, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Home app 
2. Tap Wi-Fi .
3. At the top right, tap Settings .
4. Scroll down to and select Advanced networking.
5. Tap to select the toggle for 'Use Wi-Fi Protected Access 3'.
   • Note: When you toggle the WPA3 setting on or off, your network will restart and devices will lose connectivity for a short time.