How to enable 2.4 GHz on spectrum router

Every wireless router uses radio frequencies to transmit the internet to all your connected wifi devices. The 2 main frequency bands 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz affect how far and how fast your data will travel over wifi.

The 2.4 GHz band will deliver slow speeds at a longer range while the 5 GHz band will give you faster speeds at close proximity. Setting up the 2.4 GHz band can be as simple as flipping a switch on your router, but that is only available in some routers that are highly customized with software that will allow you to easily make the change in the background. However, other routers with mesh systems and user-friendly systems automatically decide for you depending on the location of the devices you’re using. Spectrum routers, they’re dual-band so you only need to select the 2.4 GHz band by entering the password that is the same for both frequencies to switch to the 2.4 GHz frequency.

How to configure your spectrum router

• Before you can connect your devices to wifi, you’ll need to change the password and the name of both SSID from the default settings on your router. Assigning each band frequency a unique name and password will make it easier to switch to the band you want depending on your internet needs.
• On your browser, log in to your router’s main menu
• Click on the ‘Services’ tab then choose ‘Internet’
• From here you can easily change both the names and passwords of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Select the one you want to change and type in the unique name and password in the boxes provided. The SSID name can be indicated as the wifi network name or WPA pre-shared key. The SSID name should be different from other wireless signals your devices may connect to and the password should be difficult for someone to guess.
• Click ‘Apply’ to save the changes

How to enable 2.4 GHz on your spectrum router

• Once you’ve configured your spectrum router, you can enable the 2.4 GHz band to provide a connection to your devices.
• Go back to the ‘Network’ tab
• Click ‘Wireless’ then select ‘Basic’
• From the frequency, slot select 2.4 GHz, and on the SSID Enable click on the ‘Yes’ option
• Click ‘Apply’ to effect the changes you’ve made

How to connect your device to the 2.4 GHz on your spectrum router

• Log in to all your devices using your new wifi credentials. You can write down the new SSID names and passwords for safekeeping.
• Go to the ‘Settings menu’ and click on ‘wifi or wireless’ then turn on the device’s wifi
• From the list of wireless networks, choose your 2.4 GHz connection
• Type in the new password and click ‘Connect’ and your device will be connected to the internet on the 2.4 GHz frequency

All spectrum routers are dual-band routers and will allow you to select the frequency you want to use depending on your device’s needs.

How to recover your wifi name and password

If you forget your SSID name and password, your spectrum router provides you with a way of recovering them.

• First, you’ll need to log in to your router using your computer or mobile phone
• Click on ‘Internet’
• From the list provided, find your router and select it
• Click on ‘View device info’ to display your SSID name and password
• Write down your login credentials so you don’t forget them again

How to optimize your wifi network

• When you’re customizing your network names, include 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz at the end of each frequency band so that you can easily assign the network you want to use for each of your devices.
• Position your wifi router in a central place in your home away from electronics like microwaves, baby monitors, or wireless speakers to avoid signal interference.
• If you changed your spectrum SSID name and password to match those that you used in your previous network, once you update them to your current router your home devices will connect without any problems.
• You can view your wifi name and password from the My spectrum app, you just click on Services then Internet, you can also use spectrum.net Account and check under Internet, then expand your router under Equipment.

Why choose the 2.4 GHz frequency?

Many electronic devices and appliances like baby monitors, microwaves, and garage doors use the 2.4 GHz. These are common items you’ll find in many homes and if you live in an apartment surrounded by many people, the 2.4 GHz band will become congested which will affect your wifi speeds and performance.

However, if you’re using a device that you carry with you from one room to the other in your home like your phone and you have a large home, the 2.4 GHz frequency is the best option.

Its wavelength has a longer reach and it can easily penetrate through walls and other solid objects than the 5 GHz band.

This makes it the best frequency for devices that you constantly move from one room to the other and those that are further from your router.

Comparing bandwidth speeds

The theoretical speed is the maximum speed indicated on the box and it can be misleading because it’s based on a single device connected to the network, is a combination of both download and upload speeds, and doesn’t account for factors like interference or distance. However, the real world speed account for signal loss, interferences from nearby networks, obstacles, and electronics, and sharing bandwidth with other devices.

Frequency	Theoretical speeds	Real-world speeds
2.4 GHz 802.11b	11 Mbps	2-3 Mbps
2.4 GHz 802.11n	300 Mbps	100 Mbps
2.4 GHz 802.11g	54 Mbps	10-29
Mbps 5 GHz 802.11ac	433 Mbps – 1.7 Gbps	210 Mbps – 1
Gbps 5 GHz 802.11a	6-54 Mbps	3-32
Mbps 5 GHz 802.11n	900 Mbps	450 Mbps

Conclusion

Modern routers primarily work on 2 frequencies 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and the band you use for your connection will affect your speeds and the performance of your devices at different distances from your router.

FAQ

How many devices can 2.4 GHz support?

A router can support up to 32 devices on its 2.4 GHz band and 32 other devices on the 5 GHz band so it will support 64 devices simultaneously.

What is the maximum speed of 2.4 GHz?

The 2.4 GHz band will provide you with a wider wifi coverage and can penetrate solid objects with a maximum speed of 150 Mbps.