TP-Link BE3600 WiFi 7 Archer BE230 Dual Band Router | 4 Streams 3.6Gbps | 2x2.5G + 3x1G Ports, USB 3.0, 2.0GHz Quad Core, 4 Antennas VPN Client & Server | Private IoT
I have a Spectrum Advanced WiFi router that runs 2G and 5G on the same WiFi network. There is no way to split the network into two networks. If you have a phone that is compatible with your router and you use it to connect 2G devices, you can call or chat with our Internet Repair Support team to configure the feature on your phone to do this so that 2G devices can connect. However, this may not work and it can be difficult to stay connected/chat to configure this feature as it is only enabled for 60 minutes. If your 2G device connects before the timeout expires, it will stay connected. However, if it doesn’t connect, you’ll need to reconnect to try to connect again and you’ll also need to reconnect other new 2G devices that aren’t connected. Linked together. Automatically connect to the 2G network.
This is a major drawback to “premium” WiFi routers. Customers who pay $5 a month to rent a router should be able to split their networks into two or keep it as a single-band network. Otherwise, the Spectrum routers are excellent. However, it’s better to have your own router.
It would be great if they offered more advanced routers with more features like VPN, SSID masking, 2G and 5G segmentation, guest network, etc. I pay an extra $5 a month on top of the $5 I already pay for it. This allows customers to choose the router they need for their home while receiving customer support.
As a new Echo Dot customer
This is why I bought the router. I purchased 4 Echo Dots 5th Gen 2022 and they all connect easily to the Spectrum WiFi router and work great individually. However, the Echo Dot does have a “multi-room audio” feature that lets you stream music throughout your home. This is the main reason I bought these devices in the first place. This functionality is not satisfactory. Sometimes it works, but most of the time only one or two devices work, and trying to re-pair them all so I can say, “Alexa, play Spotify Weekly Discoveries anywhere” is a huge hassle and time-consuming.
After going online and checking forums like Quora and Reddit, I found the problem. The Spectrum Wi-Fi router switches between 2G and 5G throughout the day depending on interference and signal strength, and if one Echo Dot is on a different network than the other Echo Dots, multi-room audio is messed up and playback is impossible. So I started looking for a dual-band router.
TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router Review (Archer AX21)
So far, the TP-Link AX1800 router has been working very well. It arrived the same day I ordered it (thanks to Amazon and especially the delivery guy of course). When it arrived, the first thing I noticed was how light it was, which made me nervous before buying it. The router itself is well packaged and shows no damage.
I followed the instructions exactly, but after plugging the router in and after the internet modem came back online, the router no longer lights up. I reread the steps, rechecked the electrical connections, and tried disconnecting the two ends, to no avail. Honestly, I thought my device was faulty. I looked at the back of the router, saw a button and pressed it. All the lights started to light up and I was able to start the setup process.
I use an iPhone and when I opened the TP-Link app to set up the router I found that it had a lower star rating, so I decided not to download the app and log in with my IP address (the instructions will give you that info and how to do it). This is the first time I have connected to a WiFi router without using the mobile app and I have to say it is much better and more popular. I was able to disable TP-Link Smart Connect so I had separate credentials for 2G and 5G. I also discovered a whole host of new features that weren't available before, like hiding Wi-Fi networks from neighbors and making the network accessible to guests.