Split 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz bands on the Bell Home Hub 3000/4000/Giga Hub

[Brockvegas1964]

How do I split the wifi 5g and 2.4g on home hub 4000 so I can connect my Globe plugs which are 2.4 g only. Need my iphone only to be on 2.4 g network to do this and it automatically on the 5 g network.

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❗AI Summary:

"Band steering" technology broadcasts a single Wi-Fi network name (SSID) for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, intending to automatically guide devices to the optimal band for better performance. However, this creates significant problems for devices that can only operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency.

The primary issue reported by users is the difficulty in connecting smart home devices—such as plugs, switches, and cameras—that are exclusively compatible with the 2.4 GHz band. During setup, these smart devices require a connection from a smartphone or computer that is on the same 2.4 GHz network. With band steering enabled, phones and computers often automatically connect to the 5 GHz band, preventing them from communicating with and configuring the new smart devices which are on the 2.4 Ghz band. Users have also reported unstable connections and frequent disconnections for some devices when band steering is active.

Solutions and advice shared by users in the forum thread include:

To address these challenges, forum members have shared several workarounds, primarily centered on disabling the band steering feature to separate the two Wi-Fi bands.

Permanent Separation of Wi-Fi Bands: The most common solution is to create two distinct SSIDs for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This is typically achieved by:

1. Logging into the Bell modem's administration page using a web browser (commonly at http://192.168.2.1).
2. Navigating to the "Manage My Wi-Fi" section.
3. Disabling the feature labeled "Whole Home Wi-Fi."
4. Access "Advanced settings" and uncheck the option to "Keep a common network name."
5. Assigning different names to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks (e.g., "MyNetwork-2.4" and "MyNetwork-5G").

This allows users to manually connect their setup devices (like phones) and smart products directly to the 2.4 GHz network.

Temporary Disabling for Device Setup: A less disruptive method involves temporarily disabling the optimization feature to connect a specific device.

1. Log in to the modem and turn off "Whole Home Wi-Fi."
2. Temporarily rename the 5 GHz network to force the device to connect to the 2.4 GHz band for setup.
3. Once the 2.4 GHz device is successfully configured, log back into the modem and re-enable "Whole Home Wi-Fi" to restore the single SSID.

Note: Permanently disabling the "Whole Home Wi-Fi" will prevent functionality and access to the Bell Wi-Fi app and Bell Wi-Fi pods, which rely on the integrated network management system. Some users ultimately revert to the default settings and opt for a more manual pairing process for their smart devices to retain these features. For persistent issues, some have resorted to using a separate, third-party router or access point dedicated to their 2.4 GHz devices.

[CanadianGal · Accepted solution]

I did this on my 3000 as I have a lot of smart devices (including globe plugs as you have). Not sure if 4k is the same, but you can try.

Cons of doing this...

It was a bit of a headache as it does impact some other devices possibly creating dead spots and affecting phones as you move throughout the house, cannot use the pods, or the standalone bell wifi app or it will merge everything together again. Learned that the hard way.  Although a lot of my smart home devices worked without having to split. 

In the end I reverted to the original settings and had to do a more manual pairing than automatic when installing new smart devices (for these troublesome ones).  It is a bit more work, but easier and better in the long run.  Mainly I wanted the better wifi throughout and to use the parental controls of the app (super quick for turning off the kids devices if they weren't listening)

Hopefully the smart devices will start using newer chips and this won't be an issue in the future. 

If you decide to proceed, then on the 3k this is what I did:

1. On your computer, go to your modem settings (not on vpn - won't work) type http://192.168.2.1/ in the address bar.
2. Log in with your modem password (this is not the mybell one unless you made it the same)
3. click on "manage my wifi" tile
4. turn off "Let the hub optimize the wifi"
5. Agree to the alert 
6. click save
7. You may have to close it and log back in again and go back to the same screen (I did)
8. Now you will see a button you need to select at the bottom of the manage wifi page "Advanced settings"
9. At the top of the next page, uncheck "keep common network name"
10. Give your two bands different names (I used the same and just added 2.4 at the end of that on to make it easy).  I left the 5k as it was so it meant less updating of each device.
11. Save it and you're done and can now set up all your devices choosing which band you would like.  Your phone will see both wifi connections now.

If you change your mind just go back and flip the switch to ON in step 4... then you will have to go back and reprogram everything again.  This takes a lot of time depending on how many devices you have. 

[John-Davidson · Accepted solution]

Disabling 'Whole Home Wi-Fi" will not only disable Bell's automatic network optimization it will also mean you do not get access to the Wi-Fi app which is useful for monitoring your network, pausing Wi-Fi, etc.

But thankfully there's a better solution available - and that is to only temporarily disable Whole Home Wi-Fi until you get the device set up on the network and then re-enable it.

1. Login to the modem
2. Disable "Whole Home Wi-Fi"
3. Rename the 5 GHz network to anything else (this is just temporary, you won't use it). Make sure your 2.4 GHz network is the same network name and password as your regular Wi-Fi has been
4. Set up the 2.4 GHz device (you may need to turn your iPhone Wi-Fi off and back on if it's not picking up the 2.4 GHz device yet)
5. Go back into the Bell modem admin page and re-enable Whole Home Wi-Fi
6. Make sure your SSID remains the same one you were using before you started this process

Now your device is set up and you can still allow the network to self-optimize and use the Wi-Fi app.

[Kodiak]

How do I change my router to 2.4. . I have to do this to set up my wifi power plugs 

[ZaneP]

Which HomeHub do you have? 

[CanadianGal]

couple of answers on this post.  The 2nd looks easier then my complicated way, so try that one first. lol 

[CAPepin]

For what device do you do this? The Home Hub 3000 or 4000?

Do I assume you login to the router with your laptop hardwired?

If I disable wifi from my laptop it will kick me out.

[CanadianGal]

I have the 3k.  When logging onto the modem through the IP, then it keeps you connected when there is no Internet.  but if you are changing passwords it will log you out, forcing you to log in with your new password. 

[IanM]

Hi, my 2.4g smart plugs won’t connect to the bell hub 4000. I’ve tried separating the 2.4g and 5g network bands. 

[IanM]

Worked!  Thanks

[Boris]

I am about to get my Bell internet package 1.5G this Sunday

Can you advise please if I can define two separate SSIDs one for 2.4G band and another one for 5G band WiFi?

Additionally, I already have installed a WiFi repeater (ASUS manufacture) which I am using now. 

Can I define the SSIDs as I indicated? I see as well that Bell heavily promotes its own repeaters (WiFi pods).

 Would I have any compatibility problems connecting ASUS repeater with Giga Hub?

Thank you

[l84pie]

I just wanted to share what worked for me if it helps anyone else as I was about to go out and buy new smart plugs or invest in a zigbee hub and products as I didn't want to mess around with my Giga Hub settings. I used a TP-Link wireless extender. Connected it to my 5ghz WiFi, and the extender broadcasts 2.4ghz wifi only which my smart plugs are connected to. Working great. 

[yangp]

Has anyone else experienced this issue? I’ve tried only using the 2.4Ghz by disabling both 5.0 and 6.0Ghz in the modem settings but no luck. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

The modal number of Lenovo smart plugs I purchased is ZA7F0000WW.

[yangp]

May I know which model you purchased for the TP-Link wireless extender? I think this might help resolve my issue as below.

[l84pie]

Just their basic model AC750.