In today digital world, we know having a stable and fast WiFi connection is crucial for seamless browsing, streaming, and gaming. With the rise of 2.5G and 5G WiFi networks, many users are enjoying faster speeds and less interference. However, it's not uncommon to face issues where a device fails to recognize or connect to WiFi frequency.

Issue Description:

We recently encountered a customer complaint where some devices worked perfectly fine with the 5GHz band (such as iPhones), but struggled to connect to the 2.4GHz band. For example, TVs failed to connect to the WiFi on the 2.4GHz band.

Why Does This Happen?

The root cause of this issue can often be traced to device compatibility and the way WiFi bands are managed by the router or ONT.

Device Compatibility:

• Some older devices only support 2.4GHz and cannot connect to 5GHz.
• On the other hand, newer devices, such as smartphones and laptops, may only support 5GHz or prefer it for faster speeds.

Shared SSID:

• The problem often arises because many GPON ONTs (used for fiber connections) default to sharing the same SSID (network name) for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
• When both frequencies share the same SSID, devices may struggle to automatically connect to the appropriate band. This can cause issues, particularly with older devices like TVs or printers, which may not easily switch between bands.

Step-by-Step Solution to Resolve the Issue

Step 1: Set Separate SSIDs for 2.4G and 5G Networks

1. Login to the ONT’s Web Interface taking TG8145U5 Dual Band ONT as an example:
Access the web page of your ONT through a browser (IP 192.168.1.1 login credentails admin username: admin; password: admin).

2. Configure Different SSIDs

• • In the settings, assign different SSIDs (network names) for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. For example:
    • Network-WLAN Radio 2.4G-SSID Settings: SSID1: XP-2.4G
    • Network-WLAN Radio 5G-SSID Settings: SSID5: XP-5G
  • Keep the password the same for both networks to make it easy for devices to connect, but the different SSIDs will help them distinguish between the bands.

This step will allow your devices to automatically connect to the correct band based on their compatibility. Older devices will connect to the 2.4GHz network, while newer devices can use 5GHz for better performance.

Step 2: Test WiFi Signals with Different Devices

After configuring the separate SSIDs, it’s important to test which devices work best with each frequency band.

1. Test with a TV, Laptop, or Phone:
   • Old devices, such as your TV, may only support 2.4GHz. If your TV is located far from the router or surrounded by obstacles, the 2.4GHz signal might be weak, making it harder for the TV to connect.
   • Smartphones, laptops, and modern devices, however, can connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. These devices usually prefer 5GHz for faster speeds but can still connect to 2.4GHz if needed.
2. Optimize Device Placement:
   • Test each device at different distances from the router to determine which WiFi band works best for that particular device.
   • For example, your PC may only pick up the 2.4GHz signal well, while your smartphone might connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

Additional Tips to Improve WiFi Performance

• Check for Interference: The 2.4GHz band can suffer from interference from other devices like microwaves or Bluetooth gadgets. If your WiFi struggles, try to reduce interference by moving the router or these devices further apart.

• Upgrade Your Devices: Older devices, especially TVs and printers, might not support the latest WiFi standards. In these cases, connecting via Ethernet or upgrading the device’s WiFi module could be a solution.

• Router Placement: Place your router in a central location to ensure even distribution of the signal. Avoid placing it near walls or metal objects that could block the signal.

 Conclusion

WiFi issues, especially with the 2.4GHz band, can arise from a variety of factors, including device compatibility, shared SSIDs, and interference. By configuring your ONT to use separate SSIDs for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, and testing the signal with various devices, you can improve connection stability and performance.

If you meet any ONT WiFi issues, please email us at sales@xponshop.com.