Brian Litecky

Q: Airport extreme 2.4 and 5ghz?

I just setup my airport extreme. If my iphone 5S switches to the 2.4ghz from the 5ghz. Do I need to enter the WiFi password again and back again?

Thanks Brian

Posted on Sep 30, 2016 11:09 PM

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Q: Airport extreme 2.4 and 5ghz?

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  • by knbchse,Apple recommended

    knbchse knbchse Sep 30, 2016 11:50 PM in response to Brian Litecky
    Level 1 (28 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 30, 2016 11:50 PM in response to Brian Litecky

    If it is connecting to the 2.4Ghz for the first time then yes you will have to enter in your password, but other wise when reconnecting to your 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz band, your iPhone should automatically connect without you having to enter in your password.

  • by Brian Litecky,

    Brian Litecky Brian Litecky Sep 30, 2016 11:50 PM in response to knbchse
    Level 2 (159 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 30, 2016 11:50 PM in response to knbchse

    Is there a way to point the iphone to the correct band? like 5ghz, 1st and the 2.4 2nd

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 2, 2016 6:12 PM in response to Brian Litecky
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 2, 2016 6:12 PM in response to Brian Litecky

    Assign a different name to the 5 GHz band, then point your iPhone......and any other devices that you want to connect to 5 GHz......at that new named band.

     

    Caution......the 5 GHz band signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals, so 5 GHz is only going to work well when the iPhone and other devices have line of sight, or are in close proximity to the wireless router.

     

    IF.....the iPhone will be located 3-4 rooms away from the wireless router, then the 2.4 GHz signal would be a much better quality connection than 5 GHz at that location.

  • by Brian Litecky,

    Brian Litecky Brian Litecky Oct 2, 2016 6:14 PM in response to Brian Litecky
    Level 2 (159 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 2, 2016 6:14 PM in response to Brian Litecky

    But now, after a few days. The Wifi sometimes does not work. I have to turn it on and off to get it to work.

     

    Not sure why that is??

    Thanks Brian

  • by knbchse,

    knbchse knbchse Oct 2, 2016 8:28 PM in response to Brian Litecky
    Level 1 (28 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 2, 2016 8:28 PM in response to Brian Litecky

    what band are you trying to connect to when you connect? Chances are you're trying to connect to the 5Ghz Band and you're too far away. The 5Ghz band has a shorter wavelength and can't go through obstacles eg walls. Try connecting to the 2.4 Ghz frequency. You'll be able to connect back to the 5Ghz when you're closer to the base station.

  • by Boblive77,

    Boblive77 Boblive77 Oct 4, 2016 11:23 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (101 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 4, 2016 11:23 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    I assigned a different name to the 5GHz band and have connected my iOS devices to both the 2.4GHz and 5Gz bands.

     

    If I am connected to the 5GHz band (strong signal - in same room as AirPort Extreme Base Station), then go into another room that is not close to the base station, my devices automatically connect to the 2.4Ghz band.  However, when I go back to the room where the base station resides, the devices stay connected to the 2.4Ghz band.  Shouldn't they automatically reconnect to the 5Ghz band?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 4, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Boblive77
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 4, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Boblive77

    The should....but they usually won't.....until Apple fixes things.

     

    In the meantime, you will have to manually "switch" to the network that you want to use.  In some cases, the wireless device may switch back over to the 5 GHz signal after 5-10 minutes....or, it may not.

  • by Boblive77,

    Boblive77 Boblive77 Oct 4, 2016 12:00 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (101 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 4, 2016 12:00 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob Timmons wrote:

     

    The should....but they usually won't.....until Apple fixes things.

     

    Got it.  I assume not switching back is a function of the device , not the AirPort... correct?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 4, 2016 12:04 PM in response to Boblive77
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 4, 2016 12:04 PM in response to Boblive77

    Correct.