110Separate SSIDs for 2.4 and 5.0 band
I work for an integration company and have installed eeros in at least 15 houses, but it seems I have to pull at least half of them. Savant Pro handheld remotes require a stand alone 2.4 SSID. When the SSID is a 2.4 and 5.0 mixed band, the remotes fall offline regularly. Since most of my clients are Savant users, they cannot be eero users until this feature is added.
Thanks for the time.
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The solutions provided by eero support were not what I was looking for. The smart devices I use connect to the guest network to provide a degree of security. The primary recommendation for support was to turn off all the eeros except the one the furthest away. This might force your phone to use 2.4 instead of 5. I will probably reuse one of my older access points and use it when I need to configure a new smart device.
I don't understand why they are so resistant to allowing you to choose if you want 2.4, 5, or both on a given network.
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bitzerjdb Eero support can temporarily turn off the 5 GHz manually and remotely if you talk to them live. This is how they helped me solve the 2.4GHz connection problem for a specific device. Please contact them to see if they can still do this.
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cydoc Just so far fetched one has to contact eero support to TURN of a radio!!!
Should be a basic feature. 5 GHz is not always better.
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wellcraft19 True, but it was only a small one-time deal, and Eero support was very helpful. Of all the mesh systems I've tried (and I've wasted time and money with quite a few), Eero is the only one (once set up) that has been entirely glitch-free and hands-off over the last 1.5 years.
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cydoc I have resorted to setting up a "dummy" network using a separate router/AP with the exact WiFi same credentials as the eero, connect devices to that network, and then simply shut it off and migrate to eero. Working work-around, but really should not be needed.
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Good to know they can do that, but, it is a bit inconvenient to have to jump through those hoops when you want to setup a new smart plug/bulb. It's much easier to have a spare access point available. They boot up in seconds and with the phone next to it, it will connect at 2.4.
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bitzerjdb Agree.
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There also appears to be an issue with SkyBell having connection issues when a single SSID is used for both 2.4Gz and 5Gz bands.
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timyvr yup, although most devices work well "up and running" on a combined or single SSID, but the SETUP is a PITA if not the 2.4 GHz network can be called out specifically.
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I have a workaround for setting up eWeLink Sonoff switches (and presumably other devices which require your phone be on 2.4gHz) and it is this: get enough building between your eero and your phone that 5gHz does not reach but 2.4 does, which I found pretty easy.
I had no issues at all with my Wyze cams (I suspect the QR only encodes the SSID and password and not the band.)
I run Ubiquiti and Ruckus at work and, while they are fantastic, at home I appreciate the utter simplicity of the eero.
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Just installed eero pro and having hard time to connect devices my security ring camera do not connect and small devices like sockets and lights. Any help because the customer support is horrible they don’t answer, maybe because many people has the same problem if i don’t resolve it in 10 days i will return.
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Hi, eero tech support was actually very helpful. I was also trying to install a Wi-Fi enabled security system, but as you know eero picks either 2.4 or 5 based on the ability to trade off between the properties/strengths of the two bands in order to allow seamless roaming. After trying tips recommended on a thread like this, it turned out the simplest thing was to call eero tech support, which was friendly and helpful. They walked me through a different process to get my device logged in, after which it stayed on even with eero reverting to its usual behavior. I have to say the eero system is the best mesh network I've ever had -- no problems whatsoever since installation. I can't say the same of another well-known mesh product I tried before eero.
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This is just absurd. Having control over the most BASIC functions of my own freaking router should be a given. I'm getting more than a little tired of googling a feature that I need only to read over and over that "We do not plan on adding that feature..."
I spent a lot of money on this system and I am extremely disappointed with EERO for being so resistant to add even the most basic features.
In my particular situation, I live in an apartment complex. There are 18 different Access points on 2.4 ghz within range of my router. On 5ghz there are 2.
Any time one of my devices drops from 5ghz down to 2.4ghz The signal *Looks* stronger, but I lose nearly all connectivity on that device because of the MASSIVE amount of interference on that band.
Every time that happens I have to MANUALLY turn off the wifi on my device and turn it back on and HOPE that it connects on 5ghz.
"Band Steering" seems to make it worse.
I need a way to keep certain problem devices on the 5ghz band and the simplest way to do that is to separate 2.4ghz and 5ghz into DIFFERENT SSID's.
NEARLY EVERY OTHER ROUTER ON THE PLANET ALLOWS THIS. Most of them are configured this way OUT OF THE BOX.
I am seriously regretting making this purchase and I can say FOR CERTAIN that I will NO LONGER be recommending EERO to my friends and family members as I have in the past.
You know EERO, just because you like to make your devices easy for everyone to use doesn't mean you have to TAKE AWAY the choices from people who actually know how to use them.
Instead of treating ALL your customers like MORONS, you could have simply put it into an advanced menu option with a warning message.
But No, you opted to DENY ME THE OPTION ENTIRELY. And that's why I regret buying EERO and why you have lost a paying customer today.
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lee_adama
Incidentally, my solution is to buy a $21.00 junk range extender from TP-L*** because it allows me to have different SSID's for 5ghz and 2.4ghz.
That's right.... A $21 piece of junk offers me the feature I need that my $400 EERO Mesh Network DOES NOT.
(I am aware that the range extender will cut my 5ghz bandwith in half, but half of something is still more than all of nothing which is what you offered me.)
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Annoys the heck out of me, I have devices that will not connect to eero mesh. Need to do stupid workarounds like you said.
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Eero really needs to wake up on this issue. The router and software is amazing so the only reason why I can think they are refusing to add this is due to a hardware issue.
Why wouldn't they make this option even if it's under an advanced settings menu If the feature can be added on via software. I suspect hardware which is why they don't want to discuss it.
I imagine the simplest way to implement this would be to use a guest network type functionality only configure it to operate exclusively on 2.4.
This is beoming a much bigger issue for Eero as consumers are adding more and more smart devices. Many of these devices will only connect 2.4.
Virtualy everything in my house is a connected device and I run into this problem all the time!!!
I ended up using a 2.4 network off of my Apple Time Capsule which does offer band splitting feature.
I definitely prefer a single SSID solution with band steering but there are many many instances were that just does not work. In my experience, it's just been smart light bulbs, smart door locks, webcams, stuff like that. I assume this is because the miniature Wi-Fi chips in these devices are cheap and a little outdated unless there made by big brands.. However, these manufacturers will eventually catch up but there are too many of them. The solution to fix this problem now needs to come from Eero.
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Bigwreck1975 I think it is more than just the devices being cheap. From what I understand, 2.4ghz has better range but is slower. That is probably just fine (if not better) if you are talking about a smart plug out in your garage that doesn’t ever move.
I too have been banging my head against the wall trying to get various smart devices connected to my Eero and it is driving me insane. By some miracle my Wyze cams all of a sudden connected and stayed connected (I have no idea why, I didn’t change anything) but I haven’t been able to get any of my smart plugs (Wemo and Kasa) to work. I am getting ready to purchase a new wireless security system for my home, but thinking about trying to get it set up with the Eero is keeping me up at night. I was hoping that the Eero would be easy and simple to set up and use but it is proving to be a major headache.
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Bigwreck1975 This is super helpful—and I'm considering doing the same thing with my Time Capsule.
Question: so ALL of your connected devices now run off a totally separate 2.4 Ghz SSID from the TC? And the TC is in bridge mode? And then your computer, phones, etc. are all on the mesh SSID so they can use the 5 Ghz speeds? I guess I'm confused by how a phone that's on the mesh SSID would be able to communicate with devices on the TC SSID—i.e. how would a phone communicate with an Amazon Echo or Hue lights on a different SSID?
I'm also wondering if inverting the setup would work: i.e., having the TC as the "main" router, with the mesh as the bridge. This is because it seems like the issue with the 2.4 Ghz devices is more in setting them up—they ultimately work fine but it's impossible to configure them. That way I could restrict the TC to 2.4 Ghz temporarily, and simply unplug the mesh when setting up the device. Do you think that's practical?
Sorry to ask all this—I'm really a novice at networking, and appreciate any thoughts you have!
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willstew11 , let's take a few steps back first.
Your "wireless router" - or what is commonly called "router" - has four distinct functions:
1. Act as the Gateway into - and out from - your network
2. Firewall (blocking unwanted traffic)
3. Routing of IP packets to the correct device (assisted by its DHCP server, etc) and compiling them when sending them out onto the internet
4. Physical access via Ethernet cabling or RF (in the latter case, acting as WiFi Access Point, AP), or bothYou can have any "wireless router" as your main "gateway". You can buy a router that has zero wireless capabilities, and connect another "wireless router" to it, and use that one - or several - acting as "Access points" by simply turning turning off the firewall and DHCP server functions (this is how my network is built up: a wired router in the basement, and a number of Ethernet connected Access Points spread throughout the house. My cost for this was essentially zero (people dump routers left and right these days as they think they don't work - when all is they experience is interference from neighboring access points - the radio spectrum might be free, but it is not unlimited - yet normally not an issue in residential houses, only in apartment/condo building).
But, you CAN use your TimeMachine as your gateway, and then use the eeros as wireless access points, by turning off the firewall and DHCP functions in them. You will still have a mesh network - assisted by whatever wireless network you want your TimeMachine to create (2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz) in addition. By doing that, you might have some interference with the eeero network. Unlikely but possible. Assuming you have a very high-speed connection from your ISP, the throttling point would be in your TimeMachine.
So you can say a wireless network at home consists of two "boxes": the router, and the access point (the "radio").
I would however not suggest you use your TimeMachine as your router due to the fact it is a product that is EOL (end-of-life), and does no longer receive any updates. After all, you want your main gateway, the "gatekeeper" of traffic into your network, to be as smart, as intelligent and as up to date as possible.
Now a bit about the set-up of devices only supporting 2.4 GHz (and there are many).
When you set up a device that only supports 2.4 GHz, and needs a phone/table to be connected to a 2.4 GHz network for the setup process, in most cases it is easy to pick the correct network and proceeed with the setup, not having a worry in the world about the 5 GHz network.
But in cases - like here with eero where they are adamant to keep same SSID for both 2.4 and 5 GHZ networks, you have zero idea to what network you are connected to. As eero will not allow a shut-off of the 5 GHZ radios, best is to go far away from an access point (outside a wall) where you might in effect only see the 2.4 GHZ network, and setup the device there. Once up and running, you can relocate it to anywhere you have ubiquitous WiFi coverage.
I find amazing (no, flabbergasting) that eero cannot provide a simple SW fix that would allow a user (owner/administrator) to log on to the admin interface and temporarily disable the 5 GHz radios/network. It can clearly be done - as when calling into eero, they can do it remotely, so I very much doubt there is a hardware limitation. It is just a poor business decision from eero's side not to allow it. Sad, as otherwise they have good networking products, good radios that provide a mesh network with reliably high throughput and coverage with very little fuzz once set up. But as a wireless network, by definition, is not static but there to support "mobile" objects entering and leaving the network, better management capabilities of the network are badly needed.
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Eero, an option to (even only temporarily) turn off the 5 GHz would solve everybody's problems.
I have to use to workarounds to make several thousands of IoT work with your hardware, and for this reason I don't recommend it to friends.
Please stop explaining why it's not possible and focus on the problem. It is really annoying for your customers and really easy to fix.
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I don't understand why eero is unable or refuses to understand the problem.
Nearly 100% of security and IOT devices use 2.4 band only.
But those same devices need a mobile device to set up and use.
Your system will result in the phone being on 5 band and no ability to setup and control ongoing.
God forbid you want to linc the. To an Alexa show for example. You can't.
I so regret my purchase.
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I am so very disappointed to learn what a headache this is after my Eero Pro purchase. And to see that this thread goes back a few years and there still has not been any progress to a solution, amazes me. I have a house full of 2.4Ghz only devices, smart switches, smart plugs, Wyze cams, ect. I am running my old router in AP mode to run my smart home devices, ridiculous.
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I’m sure weaves and Drew etc. are soooo done hearing about this thread. But, there is a path forward that can be teased out here, and I hope they’ll give my post a fresh look. The path: Providing an end-user adaptation of the capability provided by support.
The givens:
- eero wants to maintain it’s philosophy of 2 bands under the same SSID for simplicity in admin of mesh roaming. Understood, acknowledged as a valid corporate goal.
- A material number of devices can connect to a properly-operating 2-band network - but only once configured; and users are regularly getting tripped up during configuration via mobile devices because the devices are not on the same band during the config process. (One can properly blame this on the smart device manufacturer, but it is nonetheless a common reality.)
- eero support is currently able to temporarily disable the 5Ghz band for this config purpose - then return tye band to service. This means it can be done; it’s not a hardware limit - it’s a policy constraint. While helpful, tye support-enabled solution is impractical for many users. Also, the necessary involvement of eero support is costly; it results in long support calls while agents of the network disable 5Ghz, wait on end users to do their device config, then return the network to dual band. In addition, having no solution reprewents a negative reputation cost among the community of eero owners / installers.
Proposed solution: Provide an end-user-available method to temporarily disable the 5Ghz band (as now available to eero support), with appropriate controls to assure the network returns to normal dual-band operation following smart device configuration.
As an example (without trying to say this is the best UX), eero could provide a control in the Labs tab the mobile app (where band steering is found) to temporarily disable the 5Ghz band for this stated purpose. When selected, the user must provide a duration in # mins after which the 5Ghz band will return. (This can have an eero-bound upper limit - eg 30 mins.)
This provides the time for owners to configure a collection of endpoints, AND assures the network will return to normal operation as a multi-band mesh.
Importantly, I am excluding the requests to create persistent, separate, named 2.4 & 5Ghz networks. If users want that, eero is the wrong product.
For your backlog, here’s a pre-written user story:
As an eero system owner / administrator I want a control in the eero admin app to temporarily turn off the 5Ghz band of my eero system for a stated duration of minutes (limited as desired by eero) so that I can configure any smart devices which require the device and my mobile phone to be on the same 2.4Ghz network during the configuration to prepare them for dual-network operation.
Is this a compromise you could accept?
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I just filed a support ticket regarding this very same problem. I have a Yamaha MusicCast setup that uses WiFi to talk to the surround and sub speakers. Initially when I set up my speakers with my old Apple Airport Express router, I was having problems with the speakers not working consistently. But when I created separate SSIDs for the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands and put my MusicCast endpoints on the 2.4 GHz band, all problems went away. Recently, I upgraded to the Eero router and ran into the same issue, but I was disappointed to find out that Eero couldn't create separate SSIDs for the two bands. I went back and forth with support who suggested I enable Band Steering to force the speakers onto 5 GHz. Unfortunately, my sub kept switching between 2.4 and 5 GHz (probably because of the signal strength) and I couldn't get it to work reliably (even when I got them all on the 5 GHz network by moving my speaker closer, I couldn't get it to pair properly with the MusicCast app, and I read that the speakers really prefer to be on the 2.4 GHz band). I think the best solution I read in this thread is to create a separate guest network that can be configured to work at 2.4 GHz only. Unfortunately, since there is no solution, I ended up resurrecting my old Apple router and now have a dual router setup, having my speakers on the Apple network and everything else on Eero. Of course, now I'm flooding the spectrum (creating more opportunities for interference). Please give us this basic option, Eero.
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wadamanian I am stunned that I can’t switch frequencies to control some things that only work on 2.4. My Wemo outlets are almost useless right now. The only way I can reprogram them is to get far away from my Eero?! Totally insane! Thank you for reminding me why I didn’t totally ditch my old Airport. Calling tech support or adding my dying Airport to the network, are stupid workarounds. I can’t believe this product is supported by Apple on their website for this main reason. I love the app but that’s about all I love!
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Tigzola Blame the manufacturers who designed their software to join networks poorly, not eero which is following Wifi standards.
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txgunlover just like a good product design anticipates user error, Eero should have anticipated that not all manufacturers will follow these standards. I currently use 2 routers: my apple airport for 2.4 GHz stuff and everything else for Eero. There's currently 5 devices in my home that will only work reliably (or at all) with my old Apple router. The good thing is I plugged my airport into the Eero and Eero recognizes the devices that use my Airport in its app as wired connections.
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txgunlover I would love to blame the software but I am hard pressed to find any HomeKit plug that operates off of 5. Even the Apple website has 2.4 Wemo plugs for sale, not 5. The only point I am trying to point out, is that there are is a HUGE need for the having total access for devices that we currently own. I not only have smart items in my house for convenience, but also for efficiency. I had my Airport for years before it started dying. I never thought that a replacement router would be so limiting to what it can do.
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I can't imagine that Eero are not even considering this option. Every router has it except Eero! Come on you are the only company that understands!?
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Spike yeah I opened a ticket with Eero about this months ago. They essentially said that it was fundamental to the way their mesh technology works so to allow separate SSIDs would require redesigning their entire network stack.
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wadamanian may be they should have thought it over. I am going to buy a separate router
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Well unfortunately I have to return my Eero to Amazon, this is a huge oversight from the company. I have a smart home with many devices that connect to each other 2.4 and 5ghz.... Very disappointed and a huge waste of my time. I will not recommend this for my clients unless this feature available or managed.
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Mick68 Single SSID is the way Wifi is supposed to work. Separating the band exists to allow poorly designed clients to work. Address your issue with your client device manufacturer. Dual band single SSID works. I have over 130 devices in my home. No issues.
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txgunlover Thanks for your reply, unfortunately, your opinion is not going to fix the issue.
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Do us a favor and split or give the option. What ever your reason is is not right. Give the option (Windstream wifi gives you that option) and we can close this thread once and for all!
It would have been easier to extract the money from the company than asked ng them to add this feature. I will have to drop metronet once I move but they will know that in the future they either change Eero routers or I am not signing with them, or Eero can add the option!
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Ditto, I've now returned the Eero.
Nice design, fast connection and easy setup. But no option to control bands.
Looking for alternatives...
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The alternative I use is to plug my old router to the eero. That way I get the best of both worlds. Of course I had to sniff the spectrum and make sure the bands don’t overlap. But otherwise I can see all the devices that are hooked up to my old route using the Eero UI because it considers them wired connections. Again not ideal but I was going to toss my old router anyway and now it’s serving a purpose.
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EERO Engineers:
There is a simple solution to the major problem associated to setting up these 2.4Ghz (only) vs. 5Ghz devices.
Simply grant the owner of the EERO the ability to TURN OFF the 5Ghz band themselves temporarily when setting up 2.4Ghz only devices. Just like we can with our typical routers and APs.
I simply do not understand why we have to call EERO tech support (and wait on hold for 10 - 15 minutes) to turn off the 5Ghz band for 15 minutes so we can connect the 2.4Ghz only devices.
PLEASE Update your FIrmware to allow the owners the ability to make the EERO 2.4Ghz ONLY for the time it takes to setup 2.4Ghz only devices.
Thanks, Bill
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Having the option to turn the 5GHz band off (even temporarily) would be a huge help for getting IOT devices that only support the 2.4GHz band connected. I've struggled with so many of these devices. Even if the IOT device is to blame, it's not reasonable to reach out to N-number of IOT manufacturers asking them to update their devices. The common bottleneck here is eero :( I love everything else about this system. 2.4GHz support is my sole complaint.
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Reading through this entire thread, it seems there is a disconnect between the user community and the eero engineering team. We understand that eero manages the dual-band SSIDs and the mesh, and that changing those might adversely affect throughput. We don't want to change that! We want to have the eero broadcast a second SSID. This is completely doable, and would not have any adverse effect on the mesh. The only thing special about this request is that we want to be able to control which radio broadcasts that second SSID.
We don't want to hear the answer that "it should work fine the way it is", or "I have X brand of IoT device and they work fine", or even "let's troubleshoot your problem together". Please understand, this is not a "problem". This is a feature request. There are many reasons why someone would want to set up an SSID to broadcast on only one band. Every other WiFi access point that I know of has the ability to broadcast more than one SSID, and most of them can restrict that second SSID to one radio or the other. Please listen to your user community. -
Very eloquently put, jerugh ! Thank you for giving voice and clarity to our thoughts!
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Reading through this long post has made me realize how many users genuinely want this option or just the ability to turn off 5ghz temporarily if needed. Some of our IOT devices, like Thermador appliaces, prefer 2.4 gHz and wont connect at all. We could switch 5 ghz back on once these devices connect and try band steering thereafter.
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vincentandjanet Hi there! We appreciate you reaching out, and we're sorry to hear that you've had some troubles connecting your 2.4 Ghz-only devices to your eero network. We recently updated the app to allow users to pause 5 Ghz so that only 2.4 is being broadcasted. This will allow you some time to set up and connect those IoT devices that require 2.4. Since the pause is temporary, 5 Ghz will automatically toggle itself back on after 10 minutes.
To pause 5 Ghz you'll want to log into the app and go into:
Settings -> Troubleshooting -> My device won't connect -> Temporarily pause 5GHz
Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience with us!
Kindly,
Kora | eero Community Team -
Kora (eero Support) Thank you, thank you, thank you for listening to the community!! This made my day today!!
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Kora (eero Support) THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
While I'm sure there will be complaints about how long this took to do, the bottom line is that we have a solution (which happens to be exactly like the user story I provided above, thank you 😉).
Please express our collective thanks to the team for implementing this work-around.
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Thank you eero! This is EXACTLY what us users needed to resolve the biggest headache with setting up 2.4Ghz ONLY devices on an eero mesh system!
