Certain Wi-Fi Devices Having Trouble Connecting to Eero
Eero is a mesh Wi-Fi system that aims to eliminate dead zones and provide seamless Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home. However, like any technology, users may occasionally encounter issues. One such issue is certain Wi-Fi devices having trouble connecting to the Eero network. This article will explore this issue and provide potential solutions.
The Issue
Some devices with older drivers or software may be unable to connect to a network with an Eero 6, Eero 6+, Eero Pro 6, or Eero Pro 6e. This issue is not unique to Eero and can occur with any Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) capable wireless routers and access points.
Common devices that may experience this issue include those with certain drivers, such as Intel® Wireless Adapters supporting 802.11ac. Even though your Wi-Fi 6 network is up and running, a device meeting this criteria may not be able to detect or join the network.
Some devices can only see 2.4ghz networks. Since the 2.4ghz and 5ghz networks aren’t split, some of these devices will not connect. Devices that this is common to see with this issue are smart home devices and wireless printers.
The Solution
If you experience this issue, Eero recommends updating the driver on the device as soon as possible. However, to account for this issue in the meantime, Eero has created a “Legacy Mode” as a temporary solution to get your device online.
To activate Legacy Mode using the Eero app, follow these steps:
- Open the Eero app and tap “Settings” on the bottom right.
- Tap “Troubleshooting”.
- Tap “My device won’t connect”.
- Tap on “My device can’t detect Wi-Fi 6”.
- Toggle “Legacy Mode” on.
Your device should now be able to detect and join your Eero network. Please note that you may experience slower than normal speeds while using Legacy Mode. As soon as your device has been updated, it is highly recommended to switch Legacy Mode off in order to optimize your network speed and performance.
For the devices that can only connect to 2.4ghz, also do the following steps to temporarily disable 5ghz radio.
- Open the Eero app and tap “Settings” on the bottom right.
- Tap “Troubleshooting”.
- Tap “My device won’t connect.”
- Tap “Temporarily pause 5 GHz” to hide 5 GHz for 15 minutes.
Your device should now be able to connect to the 2.4ghz wifi. You will have 15 minutes to complete connecting the device to the network. After 15 minutes, the 5ghz radio will turn back on. Your 2.4ghz device will remain connected.
Conclusion
While it can be frustrating when certain devices have trouble connecting to your Eero network, understanding the cause of the issue and knowing how to troubleshoot can help alleviate these connectivity problems. Remember, keeping your devices updated with the latest drivers and software is key to ensuring they can connect to newer technologies like Wi-Fi 6. If all else fails, Eero’s Legacy Mode provides a temporary solution to get your device online.
