2.4ghz not showing on wifi list. Hub 2

[#1]

Hi, 

I've recently switched to plus net, we have a Wi-Fi hub2. 

Before we switched we had no connection issues with any devices. 

I can easily connect my phone, tv, tablet etc to Wi-Fi as usual, all of these devices support dual band Wi-Fi. 

We also have a heat pump thermostat, solar panel interface and an old tablet that all only support 2.4ghz Wi-Fi. None of these will connect, or recognise the Wi-Fi in their list of available networks. 

I have tried turning off the 5ghz signal via the hub manager. This doesn't work, the network doesn't show on any device (dual band or not) this is also after, resetting the hub/devices too. 

I have tried to change wireless mode to 1,2 or 3 with the same results. 

Also, when I have switched off 5ghz, I can then no longer access the hub manager via 2.4ghz to change any setting at all, the page simply doesn't load. The only way I have been able to reset is by factory resetting the hub, or connecting via Ethernet. 

I have called plus net customer support and after various resetting and testing they conclude that I should ask the community forum. 

I am convinced there is not an issue with the tech, firstly because it was all working fine the day before the switch over, secondly it is all 3 2.4ghz devices that don't pick up the Wi-Fi. 

I'm starting to think there is a fault with my router and it is not actually sending out a 2.4ghz signal because when only 2.4 is selected, it simply doesn't appear on any device available network list. 

I'm out of ideas and very much out of patience. it's not a simple job to attempt to link to this tech, some of which is upstairs, some in the garage and not easy to access and it's particularly frustrating when what I have tried should have worked. 

Please can someone help? 

[#2]

Check the Hub 2 is using 2.4GHz on Wi-Fi Channels 1 or 6 or 11.

If it is an option specify WPA2-PSK only as the encryption mode.  

[#3]

Thanks, 

It's showing as Chanel 1 (smart) I presume that means it selects the most appropriate one in "smart" Mode?  . The option for encryption is only wpa2 which is already selected. 

[#4]

Any Wi-Fi device should detect Channel 1 of the 2.4GHz band.

Perhaps a replacement Hub 2 is required.

[#5]

Thanks, I think the same. I've tried every Chanel with no joy. I'll see what they say.

[#6]

@mattrach80 

Do you still have your previous providers router? Make and Model number?

It may be possible to use that on your plusnet service.

[#7]

Yes I do still have it at the moment, it's Vodafone, I don't have the make and model to hand, its about 2 years old. I can try it tonight. Will I need to use the old Vodafone network name and passwords or set up new ones?

[#8]

I'm wondering if Vodafone lock the router firmware only to work with their service, so it may not be possible to use it.

I would look into downloading a WiFi Analyser app as this would show if there are 2.4 and 5 GHz bands available.

Where the wireless name is shared between bands there will be no way to see if there both are being transmitted by the Hub on a device as it only report the wireless name.

[#9]

I'm wondering if Vodafone lock the router firmware only to work with their service, so it may not be possible to use it.

@Dan_the_Van we had VF in the office at one point and their router was certainly locked.

I would look into downloading a WiFi Analyser app as this would show if there are 2.4 and 5 GHz bands available.

I use this one on Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vrem.wifianalyzer&hl=en_GB

you can select the display to the 2.4, 5 or 6 ghz band so it should be able to show clearly whether the Hub is broadcasting on the 2.4ghz band 

[#10]

@MisterW 

Thanks for confirming Vodafone router being locked.

I recently started using that wifi analyser on my Pixel handset, it replaced WiFi Analyzer 3.11.2 by Kevin Yuan.

[#11]

Thanks both, I'll try the Wi-Fi analyser tonight and report back what I find.

[#12]

Thanks for confirming Vodafone router being locked.

I believe that on the later VF routers, you can't disable the LAN DHCP server, so they can't even be used as dumb access points!

[#13]

I've tried the Wi-Fi scanner. No 2.4ghz at all from my router. When I switch the 5ghz off on the hub manager the signal disappears from the Wi-Fi scanner completely. Plusnet are now sending me a new router. I'm planning on setting up the 2.4ghz devices first when I get the new one before enabling the 5ghz signal if I can.

[#14]

Interested to know, when you are scanning the 2.4Ghz band do you see any networks from neighbours? Due to the shorter range of a 5GHz band signal, you may not see any of those.

Note: The scanner app does not require a WiFi connection to the router, it scans the spectrum using the mobile wireless interface..

[#15]

Yes I see 2.4 and even some 5 from neighbors.