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You just bought a shiny new smart lock, a video doorbell, or a WiFi-enabled thermostat. You download the app, start the setup, and it asks you to connect to your WiFi network. You pick your network, enter your password, and… nothing. The device spins, fails, and tells you it can’t connect.
You’re not alone. This is one of the most common smart home frustrations, and the answer is almost always the same: your smart device needs 2.4 GHz WiFi, and your router is pushing it to 5 GHz.
The Two WiFi Frequencies (and Why It Matters)
Your wireless router broadcasts on two different radio frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Think of them like two different lanes on a highway.
2.4 GHz is the slower lane, but it reaches farther and passes through walls better. It’s been around for decades and is incredibly reliable for devices that don’t need blazing speed — like a smart lock that just needs to send a “door locked” signal.
5 GHz is the fast lane — great for streaming 4K video, gaming, and downloading files. But it has shorter range and doesn’t penetrate walls as well.
Most modern routers combine both frequencies under one network name and automatically decide which band to assign your device. That works great for your phone and laptop. It does not work great for your smart doorbell.
Your Phone Has to Be on 2.4 GHz Too
This is the part most people miss, and it’s the number one reason smart device setup fails even after splitting your WiFi.
The phone or tablet you’re using to set up your smart device must be connected to the same 2.4 GHz network that you want the device to join.
During setup, your phone communicates directly with the smart device to pass it the WiFi credentials. If your phone is sitting on the 5 GHz network and you’re trying to set up a smart lock on 2.4 GHz, they can’t talk to each other. The app will spin, time out, or say “device not found.”
Before you start any smart device setup, go to your phone’s WiFi settings and manually connect to your 2.4 GHz network (the one ending in “-2G” if you followed the naming convention). Then open the device’s app and start the pairing process. Once the device is set up and connected, you can switch your phone back to 5 GHz for everyday use.
Why Smart Devices Only Use 2.4 GHz
There are a few practical reasons smart home manufacturers stick with 2.4 GHz.
Range. Smart locks are on your front door. Cameras are in your garage or backyard. Thermostats are in hallways. These devices are often far from the router or behind walls. 2.4 GHz handles distance and obstacles much better than 5 GHz.
Power consumption. Many smart devices run on batteries — door locks, sensors, cameras. The 2.4 GHz radio uses less power, which means longer battery life. A smart lock that dies every two weeks would be useless.
Cost. 2.4 GHz chips are cheaper to manufacture. When you’re building a $30 smart plug, keeping component costs low matters.
Compatibility. 2.4 GHz is universal. Every router on the planet supports it. By building for 2.4 GHz, manufacturers ensure their devices work in virtually any home.
The Problem With “Smart” Routers
Here’s where it gets frustrating. Router manufacturers have been pushing a feature called band steering (also called Smart Connect) that merges both frequencies into a single network name. The router decides which band each device uses.
For phones and laptops, this is fine. For smart home devices, it’s a nightmare. The device tries to connect, the router shoves it onto 5 GHz, the device can’t communicate on that frequency, and setup fails. Or worse — it connects initially but drops off randomly because the router keeps switching it between bands.
The Fix: Split Your WiFi Bands
The solution is to log into your router and separate the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks into two different network names. Something like:
MyHome-2G (2.4 GHz — for smart devices)
MyHome-5G (5 GHz — for phones, laptops, streaming)
Once they’re split, you connect your smart lock, doorbell, camera, or thermostat to the 2G network and it stays there permanently. No more band switching, no more failed connections.
Remember: Connect your phone to the 2G network first before starting the device setup. Once the device is paired and working, you can switch your phone back to 5G.
We put together a step-by-step guide on how to split your WiFi for the most popular routers including Spectrum, Xfinity, AT&T, Netgear, TP-Link, and more.
Devices That Need 2.4 GHz
Almost every smart home device on the market requires 2.4 GHz. Here are the most common ones:
Smart locks (Schlage, Kwikset, Lockly, August, Yale). Video doorbells (Ring, Nest, Eufy, Blink). Smart plugs and switches (TP-Link Kasa, Wemo, Wyze). Smart thermostats (Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell). Security cameras (Ring, Wyze, Blink, Arlo). Garage door openers (MyQ, Tailwind). Smart speakers (some Echo Dot and Google Home setups).
If the device connects via WiFi directly (not through a hub like Zigbee or Z-Wave), it almost certainly needs 2.4 GHz.
Signs Your Smart Device Is on the Wrong Band
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, your device is probably fighting with 5 GHz:
The app says “device not found” during setup. The device connects once but drops offline within hours. Your smart lock shows as “unavailable” in the app intermittently. Setup works when you’re standing right next to the router but fails once you install the device at its final location. The device works for a few days, then stops responding.
A Quick Note About Mesh Routers
Mesh systems like Google Nest WiFi, Eero, and some Linksys Velop setups make this trickier because they don’t always let you split bands. They rely on automatic band management. If you’re using a mesh system and having trouble, try setting up the smart device while standing very close to the main router unit — and make sure your phone is also connected to that same unit’s network. Once the device connects on 2.4 GHz, it usually stays there.
Need Help With Your Smart Lock Setup?
Getting your WiFi sorted is half the battle. If you need help installing a smart lock, programming a keypad deadbolt, or setting up a commercial access control system, Key-En-Lock is here to help.
We serve all of Brevard County — Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach, Titusville, and everywhere in between. Call us at (321) 224-5625.
