Printer Won't Work as TP-Link Modem Doesn't Create 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Network - Exetel

virhlpool on 12/12/2023 - 02:31
Last edited 12/12/2023 - 02:31

Recently moved to Exetel (NBN HFC) and I have this strange issue which I never had in the past. My modem (TP-Link Archer series) has both 2.4GHz and 5GHz settings for wifi network but it doesn't seem to create a 2.4GHz network at all even when both options are activated by default as per modem settigs (for some reason I couldn't just go for any one of the two i.e. 2.4GHz only - trying to do so jams up the modem and then I am having to reboot it). In the past, I always had two different wifi SSIDs created (2.4 GHz and 5GHz) and I could choose to use any.

Anyway, so I don't have any issues with using 5GHz wifi as such, but my Brother printer doesn't detect 5GHz wifi network at all. I tried rebooting modem, printer etc but no luck in getting 5GHz wifi network detected by the printer. If I create a hotspot using my mobile and then connect my computer and printer to that network, it works though so I assume that hotspot network is 2.4GHz. It seems that the printer would need a 2.4GHz network and I always had it in the past. I am not sure what's different this time. Is it Exetel or could it be a potential issue with my modem? How do I overcome this problem?

Internet Printer

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 12/12/2023 - 03:10
    +3
    • Restore Factory Settings
    • Update Firmware

    Also, I don't think the lawnmower issue was ever resolved. A lot of questions remain unanswered on that thread.

  • kfp187 on 12/12/2023 - 03:53
    +4

    It has nothing to do with your provider at all.
    All to do with the router.
    I would try the 2 steps suggested above and if not look elsewhere for a router unfortunately.

  • geekcohen on 12/12/2023 - 06:11
    +1

    but my Brother printer doesn't detect 5GHz wifi network at all.

    Thats because it will only work on a 2.4GHZ network, that is what happens for my Brother Printer.

    My modem (TP-Link Archer series) has both 2.4GHz and 5GHz settings for wifi network but it doesn't seem to create a 2.4GHz network at all even when both options are activated by default as per modem settigs (for some reason I couldn't just go for any one of the two i.e. 2.4GHz only - trying to do so jams up the modem and then I am having to reboot it). In the past, I always had two different wifi SSIDs created (2.4 GHz and 5GHz) and I could choose to use any.

    Sounds like a Firmware issue. Has per @Muzeeb, update the Firmware. Have you tried to reboot it? I had an issue with a D-lInk and it just needed a power cycle, all fixed.

    Is it Exetel or could it be a potential issue with my modem?

    Nothing to do with Exetel, its your Modem.

    • virhlpool on 12/12/2023 - 08:38

      I rebooted and reset it a few times. I am not sure if reset takes care of firmware but if not, I will need to update the firmware. I don't know how to do it but I will look up. Thanks.

      • geekcohen on 12/12/2023 - 09:07
        +1

        If a reset hasn't worked, then a Firmware update might. Its pretty easy, most have "Check Firmware" in the admin menu when you connect to it via a browser. Otherwise, you need to download it from the TP-Link website, just google your model number and firmware, should come up.

        Let us know the specific model number and we could help find the link for you.

  • payless69 on 12/12/2023 - 08:38
    +1

    your router is rooted
    switch off the 100's of smart devices looking for a 2.4GHz signal
    rout a cable and it will print!

    • geekcohen on 12/12/2023 - 09:09

      your router is rooted

      Most likely the case, depending on the age of the device.

      switch off the 100's of smart devices looking for a 2.4GHz signal

      Who said they had 100's of Smart Devices?

      rout a cable and it will print!

      Easier said than done! Where my printer is, there is no ethernet on that side of the room. I don't want it running across the floor either. Not everyone has the knowledge, experience or availability to run a cable.

  • knasty on 12/12/2023 - 09:42

    Strange - my Archer allowed my to create 2 separate IDs which I had to do for the same reason; the single ID allowing both channels wouldn't work. Check your authentication method too; I had an older 2.4Ghz device refuse to see my new router because I enabled WPA3 but rolling it back to WPA2 fixed it.

    • virhlpool on 12/12/2023 - 09:44

      Authentication is WPA2-Personal so it shouldn't be an issue. The modem itself has a capability of creating two different SSIDs i.e. for 2.4GHz and 5GHz and it always did. It's just with my move to Exetel, it's not been doing it. Not sure what caused this though.

      • geekcohen on 12/12/2023 - 09:56

        It's just with my move to Exetel, it's not been doing it. Not sure what caused this though.

        Coincidence on timing?

  • DemocracyManifest on 12/12/2023 - 09:59
    -2

    Get a tp link wireless extender and connect through that instead

    • virhlpool on 12/12/2023 - 10:04

      Thanks. Does the extender overwrite the capability of modem to create 2.4GHz wifi network?

      • DemocracyManifest on 12/12/2023 - 10:19

        It makes it’s own secondary networks you can connect to and it slaps EXT on the end - so yes 🤷 - you’ll have duplicate signals

      • OMGJL on 12/12/2023 - 11:14

        what this guy said is incorrect in most ways.

        1. extender tends to create its own subnet, meaning you won't be able to communicate your printer with any other device that's not on the extender.

        2. if your router doesn't have 2.4Ghz in the first place, even if you solve the subnet issue, you'll still need to get a extender that's capable of receiving 5Ghz signal and emit 2.4Ghz signal, 2 separate requirement make this super specific, you are unlikely going to achieve this goal.

        • DemocracyManifest on 12/12/2023 - 13:23

          You would think that would be the case but it works at my place with my devices, go figure

          • OMGJL on 12/12/2023 - 14:17

            @DemocracyManifest: figure what?

            There's 2 issue to solve for op (2.4G missing, subnet), do you happen to experience both issue?

            you just happen to had a extender that doesn't create its own subnet. There's are plenty that do create subnet.

            Along with the other matter, go figure.

  • OMGJL on 12/12/2023 - 11:22
    +1

    given it only happened after change provider, it's quite possible you've done some weird setting which disabled 2.4Ghz network. It could even be a setting that look completely irrelevant but somehow correlate with 2.4G wifi.

    do a factory reset by poking the resetting hole, see if 2.4g appears again, if it did —- do absolutely nothing with wifi setting nor other settings, only change PPPoE, dial username/password, and see how it goes. if 2.4g doesn't appear in factory default, you've got a faulty router.

  • pjetson on 12/12/2023 - 13:27

    Is it possible that you've changed the setting that makes the 2.4Ghz SSID hidden?

    • virhlpool on 12/12/2023 - 13:41

      I checked it. It's not kept hidden.

  • 6000SUX on 12/12/2023 - 13:38

    Create 2 new SSIDs

    -1 with only the 2.4Ghz setting called something like 'wifi 2.4Ghz'
    -2 with only the 5Ghz setting called something like 'wifi 5Ghz'
    (only is the key word in the instructions above)

    This is more a troubleshooting step than a final result.
    See if this works and you have 2 networks and that your printer can see network #1

    • virhlpool on 12/12/2023 - 13:42

      This is exactly what I have been doing but 2.4GHz network doesn't get created. I can't find it through any device, not just printer. 5GHz option is the one that I can see across various devices (except printer).

  • USER DC on 12/12/2023 - 14:20

    Brother printer

    if it has a ethernet port then just connect it to that and ethernet to your modem, (easy simple old fashioned setup, always works, and given you only really need 2.4 Ghz network for 1 device. Otherwise just get another cheap modem to replace current one)

    Most brother printers have an etherent port at the back somewhere (at least the MFC ones aka the best ones)

  • avoidfullprice on 13/12/2023 - 07:09
    +2

    Try forcing it to use channel 1,6 or 11, instead of letting it auto assign.

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