Added TP-Link Wifi Extender that handles both 2.4 and 5.0 GHZ. Wasn’t connecting so I deleted the Wyze Cam and added it back, but it won’t connect to the extender SSID.
Also, using iPhone 8 and put it on the same extender Wifi ssid, which is different than the normal 2.4ghz ssid.
Anyone experience something similar?
Jim
WiFi extenders that broadcast on both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz are the same as routers that do the same. Wyze products are not able to deal with differentiating between 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz signals, and routers seem to not be able to tell that Wyze products only want to connect at 2.4GHz.
You can try hiding the 5.0GHz SSID, sometimes that works. If that doesn’t work you will need to bite the bullet and get a WiFi extender that is 2.4GHz only. The only one that I found that works reliably is the NETGEAR N300 WiFi Range Extender (EX2700).
Thank you sir! I’ll give your first suggestion a try and hope I don’t have to do the second.
Jim
Just a quick note that if hiding the 5GHz SSID doesn’t work, many routers/extenders allow you to turn off the 5GHz radio completely, effectively turning it into a 2.4GHz-only extender.
I’ll look into that.
Thanks.
Jim
Jim,
Do the two bands (2.4 and 5) on the Extender have the same SSID? If so, it’s likely that the roadblock is that your iPhone8 is connecting to a 5GHz channel. When you then try to add the Wyzecam, it won’t be able to connect because the iPhone is attempting to ‘teach’ it how to connect to the 5 GHz band (which the camera can’t do, since its radio is 2.4GHz only).
One ‘fix’ is to temporarily change the name of the extender’s 5GHz SSID to something different, say “TPLink_5GHz”. Or turn the 5GHz radio off entirely, if the extender lets you do so. Turn off the iPhone’s WiFi, turn it back on, and select the extender’s 2.4GHz SSID. That will force the iPhone to connect to its 2.4GHz radio. Then go through the procedure to add the camera to the app. That should succeed, since the iPhone is using the 2.4GHz radio. Once successful, you can then rename the 5GHz SSID back to what it was before.
Yup, give the networks different SSIDs for the different frequencies.
If that is not possible - as some Mesh networking systems do not allow for that, and do not allow for turning off 5 GHz network WITHOUT actually reaching out to the manufacturer (yes…) - one way can be to just walk far enough away from AP or Extender so phone (as that is what is used to set up a new device) connects on 2.4 GHz (using the simple principle that 2.4 GHZ has far better reach than 5 GHz in most cases). Then proceed with setting up the Wyze.
Thanks kyphos.
Interesting approach. Thanks.
Jim Clark
Has nothing to do with Wyze products “not able to deal with differentiating between 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz signals”.
Wyze does only support 2.4 GHz. Period. And most every AP, Router, or even Extender , will allow for turning off the 5GHz radios, and/or giving the 5GHz network a unique SSID (in order to help determining what network to connect - the phone - to).
As most phones or tablets (as that is what is used when setting up a new Wyze) really can’t show the frequency used (unless hinted in the SSID), it is actually a (phone) device issue. Not a Wyze issue.
This might be semantics, but Wyze cameras - as other WiFi devices - have no issues connecting once configured to a specific 2.4 GHz network. It is just a matter of figuring out what network the phone should connect to, so phone can “teach/transfer” correct network info over to the Wyze (a bit simplified stated…).
Turning off the 5.0 ghz band on the extender worked like a charm. Thanks so much for the quick assistance.
Jim
Jim Clark
So explain why I have other 2.4GHz only products that have no problem connecting to a broadcasting SSID that is the same for 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz?
Wyze markets a good product, but they have missed a fine point in specifying the capabilities of the WiFi transceiver. I would hope that they would be humble and admit that little fact. This one little thing is what causes the majority of user problems, aside from folks using old low powered routers.
@DadCooks,
Wyze has no issues connecting to a 2.4 GHz network where there is a 5 GHz network present with the same SSID. I have several installations I’ve worked on where SSID is identical for both frequencies (stupid in my view, but some mesh network providers believe in that philosophy in order to provide a seamless service, and I can agree to it to a certain extent).
But once again, it has to do with your (phone/pad) device when setting up the new Wyze device to add to your network. Once you have set up the Wyze device, from a “Wyze standpoint”, the 5 GHz does not even exist (Wyze can’t see it).
But I can agree that it is a bit unclear in the app, as the app will list even a 5 GHz network. But that is not so much an app issue, but an issue with API capabilities in the phone. If phone cannot report “hey, I’m on a 5GHz network” the app cannot “show alert”, telling the user “hey buddy, you are on a 5 GHz network and need to connect to a 2.4 GHz” in order to proceed.
The problem so far has been some implementations of band steering by the router. Some won’t allow connections to the 2.4 GHz network if the 5 GHz is available with the same name.
@Newshound, and that is a phone or pad issue. Not a camera issue - as the camera will not see the network, nor will the 5 GHz network see the Wyze.
Of course, given that there are no RF issues preventing connection (interference from other devices, nearby APs, congestion, etc).
I agree, that’s why I said “some implementations of band steering by the router”. Not the camera. 
I AM IN THE SAME BOAT! Looks like I have to return my new XFINITY router and return to my old 2.4 GHZ one.
I am not sure which router you have but I have a newer Xfinity router and it has both 2.4 and 5, you just have to be sure the 2.4 is on.
Yes, but when I connected my phone to the new modem it is now connected to the 5.0 GHZ system and my Wyze products do not recognize my phone app. When I try to add a product (I’ve tried several) it does not connect.
les.deman,
Your smartphone has to be connected to 2.4GHz in order for it to configure the Wyze device. This can be tricky if your 2.4 and 5GHz networks both have the same SSID. Many smartphones, in trying to be ‘smart’, will preferentially associate with a 5GHz network if available.
There are a number of methods that will induce your smartphone to use the 2.4GHz radio, including: