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Option to Disable 2.4ghz band.  Force all Wifi communication over 5ghz.

Option to Disable 2.4ghz band.  Force all Wifi communication over 5ghz.

I live in a very dense condominium building with 4 floors, many units over a city block.  eero is great because you can have multiple access points (I use 2) to communicate on each floor of my condo.  

In reality, DISTANCE is not an issue.  Just having the strongest 5ghz signal that doesn't need to travel far.

I'd like the ability to force disable 2.4ghz band.  All the devices in my home can connect over 5ghz.  Range is not an issue now that I have eero.  I don't want a device to accidentally connect over 2.4ghz where there is so much interference in a building such as mine.

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  • Hello Folks.  Please revisit the ability to do the following, because as a customer with a wide array of smart home devices deployed on his network, for the purposes of configuring various devices *at all*, I need the ability to blanket disable 5 GHz, at least temporarily - as some smart devices, like the ambient weather 2902 station, cannot connect to 5GHz at all and thus my phone cannot be set ‘automatically’ to be on 5 GHz during this configuration process.  Likewise, certain building materials greatly inhibit 5 GHz, such as metal roofing.   Thus 5 GHz is sub-optimal in certain buildings.


    Please treat this as an urgent use case and prioritize accordingly.

    Thanks,


    Joe

    Like 1
  • I am also having the same issue with the Eero pro I just purchased.

    I need to have control over this especially when my devices are constantly switching between 2.5 and 5 GHz. Is it normal to lose connection when this happens? I feel like when I'm working from home and moving around the house my VPN drops going from 5 to 2.5 GHz.

    Please fix this Eero. We should have the ability to chose which device belongs on which netowrk.

     

    Steve

    Like 1
  • This is the basic of WiFi AP feature. I need to be able to disable 2.4GHz. Actually I need a more detailed approach to the configuration settings. It is good that Eero target users that are not technology savvy, but they also need to offer more configuration details for the technology literate. I just received my 3 eero and so far I am not really happy that I have no idea what is the full configuration. I am concern that when I will encounter a problem I will have no idea where to start troubleshooting, beside pushing the troubleshooting button.

    Like 3
  • Having the same problems - in busy urban places, the problem is interference on 2.4 Ghz not device instability @drew  from Eero. I'm wasting tonnes of time now waiting for my devices to catch up, and expected a more advanced setting. I previously had an extender which would worked on 5 Ghz alone and I replaced with eero to avoid 1 dead spot. Now everywhere is so slow, the whole house is a dead spot...MESH is great, but you need to allow band selection, please now, before I have to ditch you.

    Like
  • @jeff_c I just purchased the Eero Pro 3 pack and I thought damn, this is perfect.  Then I went to separate my SSID into a 2.4GHz network and a 5Ghz network and discovered this thread.  This makes me sad that I'm going to have to return these.

    Like 1
    • Hi mstorman - Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am sorry to hear that things aren't working as you expected. I would encourage you to email us at support@eero.com with my name and the Subject Line "Community Followup" so I can track it down more quickly. I am more than happy to investigate this in more detail.

      Once again, thank you for bringing this to our attention and for joining our Community! I look forward to hearing from you soon.

      Cheers,

      Evan, eero Community

      Like
    • mstorman you're a smarter man than me!

      Like
  • What is there to track down??? Your people already said that the option isn't going to be added. I'm currently shopping around for a better one now, and will be listing my eeros on eBay.

    Like
    • Johnsemik Sounds like the right choice for you.  It's well known that they won't violate the Wifi design standard and they've stated numerous times.

      Like
  • Ugh... in about 600 USD for the Eeros that I've purchased to cover 3 floors. As far as mesh networks go for people who have no clue as to what a network is and just want WiFi they are fine. I have an Eero hardwired into my modem which goes to a switch thats connected to my NAS, about 30 feet away i have another hardwired into my computer, transferring over the network is painfully slow I'm literally only able to reach around 24 megs/s that is not even 200 mbps just hot garbage, oh and they do get hot I've already had 2 of them go bad on me refusing to reset and out of warranty. So I have to ask myself why are the Eeros not able to be force switched to 5G even when they are so close together? Am I alone in feeling as if they aren't pushing out updates for these devices but instead are focused on aesthetic? I don't usually get buyers remorse but I've got it here stay away!

    Like
      • MrDoh
      • MrDoh
      • 2 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

      ShawnTaylor I'd be talking to eero support if I had your problems.

      Like
  • I'd like to be able to force 2.4g for setting up IoT devices with my phone because it doesn't work when the phone is on 5G and the device can only do 2.4g.

    Like
  • I understand that the Eero concept is to make home wifi networking "easy" for the average user.  But I think you're seeing a LOT of demand here for the ability to manually turn on/off either the 2.4Ghz or 5.0Ghz bands.  That Eero just keeps responding with that feature as "unplanned" is simply asinine.  It ain't that hard. I know a kid who's an amazing programmer and he could teach Eero how to do it (or do it for them) in 20 minutes.  C'mon, let's be more responsive to what your customers need and want, not what some arrogant lead engineer "thinks" we need.

    Like 1
  • I would like to disable 2.4Ghz, as my 2019 Macbook Pro, that SITS RIGHT NEXT to eero is still using 2.4Ghz instead of 5Ghz. It's crazy.

    Like 2
      • MrDoh
      • MrDoh
      • 2 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

      drozzy Have you tried turning on "band steering" in the "eero labs" section of the eero app settings?

      Like
      • Rsm18
      • Rsm18
      • 2 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

      MrDoh 

      Like
  • I need the same. Outrageous we do not have the option to change network to 5ghz. Please have this fixed otherwise have no choose but to abandon your product and I just purchased it as it confirmed it uses both networks. 

    Like 1
  • Wow, this feature has been continuously requested for at least THREE YEARS, and nothing has been done? That's about the lousiest customer service I've seen yet. I just got my eero system with my fiber I had installed 3 days ago. Although I didn't have to pay for it, I hate it nonetheless. Band steering is on, but my phone and tablets still tend to connect to the horrendously slow 2.4ghz band, and that effectively defeats the purpose of having 1k mbps fiber. It's no faster than my cable internet was, using the eero system. It just sucks that I can't designate a separate ssid and choose for myself which band I want to use. I'm buying a new router and the eero will be tossed in the closet. 

    Like 1
  • Going back now and re-reading this thread, it is astounding how TONE DEAF Eero’s responses are; in many cases not even addressing the actual post but simply giving us “campaign speeches” about the Eero product.  This is NOT the only thread on this subject.  It’s clearly what a large number of Eero customers want.  So what exactly is the freaking problem?  Developer pride?  Engineering ego?  Get over it and give us what we want and need.  And if you’re worried about “average users” making a mistake and accidentally turning off one band or the other, then give us an Eero Advanced app or something similar for sophisticated users.  I’d even pay a few bucks to access more advanced features like this.  But this arrogance in the face of customer requests and needs is mind-numbing.

    Like 2
      • stjeong04
      • stjeong04
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      AtticusG well said and couldn’t agree more.  Why is Eero being so stubborn in adding the feature that customers clearly want?  I question if it has a design flaw that can’t be reversed at this point.

      Like
  • I am investigating this issue before I purchase a eero system to replace my Apple Airport  LAN.  I have an older Bose sound system covering nearly every room in my house which uses their own non-WiFi wireless transmission in the 2.4GHz band. It switches between channels looking for an unoccupied one which works reasonably well except it occassinsaly glitches when new WiFi activity starts up.  I can disable the 2.4GHz band on my "simple" Apple router but then I suffer range issues.  I was hoping to eliminate the range issues with the eero mesh technology and get rid of the glitches in my sound system but apparently not.  I'm clearly not going to discard my Bose sound system for the eero.  But if Apple could allow selecting bands years ago, why can't eero with all its fancy new technology.  

    Also, can somebody explain "band steering" that was mentioned or point me to an explanation?  Does it address this problem?  

    Like
      • Rsm18
      • Rsm18
      • 2 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

      JiminiVecchio I talked to an eero tech about this (band steering). It's supposed to recognize the needs of each device, and direct that device to the appropriate band, i.e., if you're close and using a computer, tablet, phone etc., that needs bandwidth it's supposed to "steer" it towards 5G. If it's farther away, or doesn't need the bandwidth (like a light switch) , it steers it to 2.4G. In my experience, it didn't work as advertised. I tried it for a week and dumped it. I bought a high end router that is highly customizable, has mesh capabilities if I desire, but also a very powerful signal, so I very likely won't need extenders or access points. Basically, eero systems are made for people who don't care about anything except a basic connection, and aren't smart enough to configure their own. BTW, my new router gives me much much faster wireless speeds on 5G than eero did on the few times I was able to connect to 5G. I have a 1gig up/down fiber plan, and it just didn't make sense to have a router with a max throughput capability of considerably less than half that. 

      Like
    • Rsm18 Thank you for the comments.  I have looked at two other mesh routers and they both have no provision to disable one of the bands.  I will keep looking.  I guess it's not appropriate to name a competitive system in this forum.  Too bad.

      Like
      • Rsm18
      • Rsm18
      • 2 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

      JiminiVecchio The eero was the first experience I've had with a "mesh" system. I really don't understand the need for it, unless it's just for the additional coverage. But if that's all it is, just buy a high end router that can transmit a long distance. I could connect to my old router almost two blocks from my house. I haven't tested the distance of my new one, but I'm betting it's even even better. It does have mesh capabilities, but I prefer not to use it. The way my home network and security cams are set up, I'd never be able to do this with a mesh system. BTW, my new router is the one that looks like a spider, eight antennas, AC and ax, wifi 6, and 11000 mbps total throughput. Without naming it, you can probably figure out which one it is. It's a very nice, customizable and powerful router. 

      Like
  • I was so happy with my apple airports!!!  they were fantastic.   what a terrible disappointment. My nest thermostats are disconnecting, as well as my smart switches.   not cool...

    Like
  • I was excited to get these today. I had initial issues getting the setup of the devices.  I had them on each floor in a common area, then I basically had to put them in the same room as the modem.  After setup and placement back into the common area on each floor, I found that I cannot set up my devices to connect consistently to 5g (5 echo shows 5 and 8, iPhones, iPad's and laptops) even with the band steering enabled.  This results in my smart device's lights and thermostats to disconnect as the previous poster indicated. I have to send these back, it is a deal-breaker for me.  This is my fault as I did not do enough research.

    Like
  • I just got the Eero 6 Pro and cannot get some of my devices on 5GHz since it detects 2.4GHz first. You can pause 5GHz, but no 2.4GHz? Why is this limited to one? Come on guys, there should be an option to have two SSID to differentiate between the two or the ability to pause 2.4GHz or 5GHz.

    Some areas 2.4GHz is too crowded. The signal strength may be great, but the bandwidth is horrible. Switching to 5GHz makes a huge difference for me in my area.

    I may take this back and go with something else that allows for these settings. 

    Like 1
  • I registered just because of this. Totally ridiculous!! You should put this in bold red on your packaging. I’ll make sure I do my part to downvote your product and highlight this fact to anyone that’s considering this crap. What a waste of time and money.. now i have to sell this crap on ebay.

    Like 3
  • pls i like playing games but when I'm on a 2.4ghz network I lag a lot and is a really bad experience plus my router is pretty close not that far

    Like 2
  • I was being dropped from my splatoon 2 games because of this :( however There’s a new lab feature called “Band Steering” which encourages your capable devices to use 5ghz. This worked for me. You can find it on the eero app by: 

    Discover -> eero labs -> Band Steering

    Like
      • Rsm18
      • Rsm18
      • 2 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

      SusanS that's not a new feature. It was there when I had my eero system, and it only worked about 10% of the time. The refusal of the eero team to give basic features says all you need to know. They don't care. They came out with a visually pleasing product (50% of their customers shop based on that) that just gives them basic internet access and ease of use. But in this day and age when people are becoming more and more "technologically advanced", why are they trying to market something more fitting to the 1990s? Doesn't make any sense. 

      Like
      • SusanS
      • SusanS
      • 2 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

      Rsm18 Hey man I'm not saying it doesn't suck that you cannot decide which bandwidth to use. I'm just saying the lab feature worked for me in case it helps someone else.

      Like
      • SusanS
      • SusanS
      • 2 yrs ago
      • Reported - view

        I also needed to restart my switch and other devices.

      Like
  • It’s needed!

    Like 1
  • I find some devices randomly end up on 2.4 ghz and there is no visible indication of this anywhere, other than excessive buffering with video streaming etc. I've tried band steering but this actually causes some devices (for example a smart TV) to be unable to connect, even though they support 5 ghz just fine. Disabling 2.4 entirely seems like the easiest fix and it's frustrating that this isn't supported.

    Like 1
  • Agree with the sentiment of all these comments and now with the latest 6.4.0 software update they seem to have gone backwards even though the updates says it delivers ‘Automatic channel selection improvements’.  I now find that many of my devices connect to 2.4ghz even when right next to an Eero Pro router and even when the app says a device is on 5GHZ it’s killing the speed to c50-100mbs on a 500mbs broadband.  I’ve got a cheap TP-Link access point in my garden hardwired into a switch via the Eero pro gateway and it gets 450-500mbs when a device is on 5GHZ so there is something fundamental wrong somewhere in either the hardware and/or software that Eero need to fix or give their customers that know what they are doing the option to put 5ghz devices on that frequency.  Like so many other customers I live in a built up area and 2.4GHZ is horribly congested and I have other network devices that only work on 2.4ghz (e,g. Ring cameras and extenders plus Sonos Mesh in 2.4ghz band), so I need to get all my modern devices onto 5ghz to get the full speed from my broadband for those devices that can make the most of it but also keep the older ones/less bandwidth hungry on 2.4ghz.  Please Eero reconsider the decision not to give your customers more control over channel/frequency connections as this feels like a decision driven by engineering ego  rather than being customer focused (which is what Amazon are famous for!).    It’s killing the performance of your offering vs your competitors and I know I’ll be looking for an alternative to Eero when it comes to the point wifi 6 is mainstream and I get 1GB broadband in my area.

    Like 2
  • Returning eero 6 as soon as I see the response. Another unneccesary 2.4ghz wifi to pollute my neighborhood? No thank you.

    Like
  • I agree with all the customer comments on this board.  We are asking for the ability to disable 2.4ghz signal and be only on 5ghz.  You are building a product for customers at the end of the day.  Can you please add this feature on your product roadmap?  It’s clear this is many of your customers’ concern, including myself.

    Like
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