Unable to connect 2.4Ghz devices

[KGVIC]

Hi. I am a brand new customer (today) and have just set up my system. Whilst most things have connected to the router OK (including Ring devices which are 2.4GHz), I have several 2.4Ghz devices (Smart sockets, light bulbs and an RM Pro) that are unable to connect to the new network. These worked fine with Sky, but I have no option to split the networks and give a different SSID to the 2.4 network as there are no band selection options in either the Super WiFi app or the web interface. How can I fix this situation please?

[Effie]

Hey @KGVIC I hope you're well 😊

Splitting the SSID is something that only our Broadband Tech team can do at the moment. Please give them a call on 191 free from a Vodafone Pay monthly mobile, or 03333 040 191 from any other UK phone (standard charges apply) and they will get this all set up for you 🙂 Alternatively, drop them a message here.

[CrimsonLiar]

As the devices are already set up, would it not be easier to rename the single  VF SSID and use the old password too?

[KGVIC]

It would. But the old password is deemed to be too simple by the lord and masters that are Vodafone, so I can’t do it. Now everything else in the house is working great, just not my smart devices yet. 
tech services were no help. ‘Walk far away until you drop off 5Mhz”. What a load of rubbish. 

[CrimsonLiar]

One of the other techniques if you have two devices you can use, is to set up a phone as a mobile hotspot with the same SSID/password just accessible via 2.4GHz.  Turn the router off, set up the devices through the hotspot, and when it's done, turn the hotspot off and the router back on!

[Ripshod]

Or you could get a cheap 2.4 extender. The cheap ones generally accept a weaker password and you can set the channel used. (redacted after testing that theory)

My other option is the one I took myself. Get your own router.

The vodafone router is actually pretty good. It's the dumbed down firmware that vodafone issue that lets it all down. 

[KGVIC]

Just bought myself a cheap extender to see if I can job it. Fingers crossed!

[olders]

Hi KGVIC,

Did you manage to connect / communicate with your 2.4GHz devices using the 2.4 extender method?

Many thanks.

[dipdot123]

To call the support centre doesn't work. They say that you cannot have your SSID split and you are definitely wrong. 

They say the devices should be able to connect and the devices are the problem.

I now have 2 smoke alarms, and 8 light bulbs that all say they cannot connect and the solution is to split the SSID to offer a 2.4Ghz only and a 5 Ghz only WIFI connection.

Vodafone also posts how to do it: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/cs/groups/public/documents/contentdocuments/vfcon090504.pdf

But again the call centre says this document does not exist on the Vodafone website.

Any suggestions?

[Jayach]

@dipdot123 

Are you on Pro? If not, it is still possible to split the bands.

There are a few other "work around", such as using an older 2.4Ghz only device to run the setup app. Like an old phone or tablet.