Gascony
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Time Capsule - Possible to turn off the 2.5Ghz WiFi?

Does the Time Capsule have the following option?

 

  • Able to turn off the 2.5Ghz WiFi and only use the 5Ghz WiFi?
  • Only use 802.11ac on the 5Ghz WiFi?

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Mar 7, 2016 2:51 AM

by Lexiepex,Apple recommended
Lexiepex Lexiepex
Level 6 (10,477 points)
Mac OS X
A:

You can not, but what you want is easy to accomplish:

Start Airport Utility: select the TC, select the "edit" button, select In the Wireless tab, click the "wireless options"  button, then give the 5GHz network a different name ( I just added "5GHz" to the name). Then use the Save and Update buttons to exit AirportUtility.

After that you will see the separate networks in the WiFi icon on the menubar: select the 5GHz newtork;

then you go into SystemPreferences->Network->Advanced->WiFi Tab:   drag the 5GHz WiFi net to the top and the other  (2.4GHz) to the bottom of the list. Use the OK and Apply buttons when exiting these settings.

Lex

Posted on Mar 7, 2016 3:46 AM

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Gascony

Q: Time Capsule - Possible to turn off the 2.5Ghz WiFi?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Lexiepex,Apple recommended

    Lexiepex Lexiepex Mar 7, 2016 3:46 AM in response to Gascony
    Level 6 (10,477 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 7, 2016 3:46 AM in response to Gascony

    You can not, but what you want is easy to accomplish:

    Start Airport Utility: select the TC, select the "edit" button, select In the Wireless tab, click the "wireless options"  button, then give the 5GHz network a different name ( I just added "5GHz" to the name). Then use the Save and Update buttons to exit AirportUtility.

    After that you will see the separate networks in the WiFi icon on the menubar: select the 5GHz newtork;

    then you go into SystemPreferences->Network->Advanced->WiFi Tab:   drag the 5GHz WiFi net to the top and the other  (2.4GHz) to the bottom of the list. Use the OK and Apply buttons when exiting these settings.

    Lex

  • by Gascony,

    Gascony Gascony Mar 11, 2016 12:55 AM in response to Lexiepex
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2016 12:55 AM in response to Lexiepex

    I'm afraid that solution doesn't accomplish what I really want which is to minimise the interference on the WiFi network.

  • by Lexiepex,Apple recommended

    Lexiepex Lexiepex Mar 11, 2016 1:25 AM in response to Gascony
    Level 6 (10,477 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 11, 2016 1:25 AM in response to Gascony

    Interference is not between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, but from other sources, mostly in the 2.4GHz band.

    Since there are more interference chances on the 2.4GHz band, it is recommended to use the 5GHz band. You do that by connecting to the 5GHz band.

    And you can make that choice yourself by giving it a different name in the router settings, as I explained.

    Even if you could switch 2.4GHz off alltogether, that would make no difference when connected to the 5GHz band.

  • by Bob Timmons,Apple recommended

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 11, 2016 7:17 AM in response to Gascony
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 11, 2016 7:17 AM in response to Gascony

    LexSchellings has answered your questions correctly.

     

    Since it is not possible to turn off the 2.4 GHz band, all that you can do is try to minimize the sources of potential interference.....other WiFi networks near you, cordless phones, baby monitors, BlueTooth devices, etc.

     

    The first step in this process would be to insure that your Time Capsule is located in the middle of your home......as far away from any outside walls or windows as possible.

     

    This document may provide some assistance in identifying and minimizing other sources of interference.......

     

    Potential sources of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interference - Apple Support

  • by inGodweTrust,

    inGodweTrust inGodweTrust Jul 20, 2016 9:06 PM in response to Gascony
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 20, 2016 9:06 PM in response to Gascony

    I too am surprised the Apple TC does not provide a means to turn off the radio for 2.4 . Any wireless router gives you the ability to not only turn off a given band but to also set the output transmitter levels as well. Perhaps Apple will do its part to reduce interference in the home environment for those who have other commercial quality AP's such as Ubiquiti that allow roaming on certain bands over a given distance. ( aka from house to outside 1000+ft away and then back seemly..... ) Just use the TC 5ghz for backups of in home devices.