Spectrum 2.4 or 5GHz? Every Router Has Both. How to Pick
Spectrum 2.4 or 5GHz? Both, because every Spectrum router broadcasts a 2.4 GHz network and a 5 GHz network, and some routers add a 6 GHz one. Spectrum’s connection page puts it in one line: “All Spectrum routers support 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies, while some also support 6 GHz.”
What you do about it depends on one thing you can check in ten seconds: how many Spectrum network names show up in your phone’s WiFi list.
One name means the router picks the band for you. Two names means you pick.
2.4 GHz or 5 GHz: which is faster, and which reaches farther
5 GHz is the faster band and 2.4 GHz is the farther reaching one. Spectrum’s own trade off lines read: “2.4 GHz has slower speeds, but offers the furthest range of any of these frequencies.” and “5 GHz has faster speeds, but less range.”
6 GHz, where a router has it, pushes the same trade off one step further: “6 GHz has the fastest speeds, but the least range.” Spectrum prints no speed number for any band on either page cited below, so this article gives none.
Spectrum says a device might drop to 2.4 GHz for range, and it names walls. Its router feature page notes that a device “might automatically switch from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz frequency to provide better range and signal penetration, especially through walls.”
If you see one Spectrum WiFi name, the router chooses
One network name means you have a Spectrum Advanced WiFi router, and it moves each device between bands on its own. Spectrum’s feature page: “Spectrum Advanced WiFi routers use a Single SSID, which means all WiFi frequencies are combined into one network name.”
Distance is what drives the choice. The same page says the router “automatically switches your device between 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequencies based on how close your device is to the router”, and it names that switching Adaptive Steering.
Adaptive Steering has two parts. Band Steering picks the frequency: “This lets your device choose between 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz frequencies for better performance.”
Channel Steering works inside one frequency, moving devices to the channel the page says gives the best speed with the least interference.
Older devices sort themselves out. Spectrum: “Devices that can only support the 2.4 GHz,like older phones and laptops, will automatically connect to that frequency.”
To confirm you have an Advanced WiFi router, look at the label on the back. Spectrum says these routers “have a QR code and will include model numbers that begin with SAC2V1A, SAC2V2S, SAX1V1R, SAX1V1K, SAX1V1S, SAX2V1S, SAX2V1R, SBE1V1K or SBE1V1R.”
Three of those nine carry 6 GHz. Spectrum’s note: “Only WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 (SAX2V1R, SAX2V1S, SBE1V1K) routers support the 6 GHz frequency.”
If you see two Spectrum WiFi names, you choose
Two network names means a Spectrum router that broadcasts each band under its own name. You pick the band by joining the name you want, and you can rename each one in the router’s settings so they are easy to tell apart.
Spectrum’s connection page lists those routers under its “Find Your Equipment” heading: Arris TG1672G, Askey, Netgear 3800, Netgear 6300, Sagemcom, Sagemcom 5260, Technicolor TC8717T and Ubee DVW32CB. Each block prints that model’s address and admin sign in, and they differ by model, so use your own router’s block rather than a number copied from an old article.
The rename steps differ by model, so read your own block. Under the Arris TG1672G, Netgear 3800 and Netgear 6300 headings the band step reads “Select the 2.4GHz or 5GHZ network.”
The Arris block follows with “Update Name (SSID) and password as desired.” and the Netgear blocks with “Update Name (SSID). The field is case-sensitive with a maximum of 32 characters.”
The Askey block has no band step. Its path reads “From the navigation panel, go to Advanced > Network > Wireless > Basic.” and then “Enter a network name less than 32 characters in length and a password between 8 to 63 characters.”
The Sagemcom block puts it on the home screen, “From the Homepage, select the network of interest (2.4GHz or 5GHz).” and the Sagemcom 5260 block reads “From the Homepage, select “Router Settings” to modify the WiFi Network Name (SSID) or Password as desired under the 2.4GHz Network and/or 5GHz Network sections.”
The Technicolor block has you click Edit beside the 2.4GHz or 5GHz access point in its Private WiFi Network table, and the Ubee block has you pick the band from the right menu.
Expect to lose WiFi for a moment when you save. Spectrum’s warning on each block: “If you connect using a wireless device, the WiFi will disconnect when you select” Apply.
Then, in the Arris block’s words, “Sign in again using the new network name (SSID) and password to make additional settings changes.” Write the new names down first.
Spectrum also suggests how to name them: “When creating custom network names, include 5GHz and 2GHz at the end of the name so that you can assign which network you want to use for each of your wireless devices.”
Before you open the router’s settings, be on the router’s own WiFi. Spectrum: “you must be connected to your Spectrum wireless network using the Spectrum issued network name and password.”
Smart plugs, cameras and thermostats that need 2.4 GHz
Some smart home devices only speak 2.4 GHz, and they connect through your phone during setup. Spectrum: “Other smart devices, like cameras or thermostats, use your phone’s WiFi to connect. Make sure your phone is on the 2.4 GHz frequency when setting them up.”
On a one name router there is no separate 2.4 GHz network name to join. For that case Spectrum’s feature page prints a timed switch: “This feature automatically switches any connected device to the 2.4 GHz frequency for 30 minutes.”
Two things to know before you press it. It moves every smartphone and tablet on your network to 2.4 GHz, in Spectrum’s words “to help you set up devices that are only 2.4 GHz capable.”
And it undoes itself: “after 30 minutes have lapsed, your devices will switch back to the original frequency band.”
Spectrum’s five steps, from its router feature page:
- Sign in to your Spectrum account.
- From your Services page, select Internet.
- Navigate to and select Set up Smart Device (2.4 GHz).
- Select Switch to 2.4 GHz.
- “Switch back to your third-party application to continue setting up your smart device.”
The same switch lives in the app: “You can also access the Set up Smart Device (2.4 GHz) feature on the My Spectrum App.”
If your phone still will not join, Spectrum lists two checks: “Try switching off cellular data from your phone or tablet settings.” and “Check to see if the WiFi Assist feature is enabled in your phone settings. If so, disable it as this feature may prevent phones using 2.4 GHz to connect.”
One caveat travels with all of this, in Spectrum’s words: “Feature availability may vary by router model and region.”
Spectrum 2.4 GHz not working
Spectrum’s connection page treats a 2.4 GHz connection problem as the same job: switch your phone to 2.4 GHz for setup. Its lead in reads “If you can’t connect to the 2.4-GHz frequency on your network:” and the five steps under it are the same five: sign in to your Spectrum account, select Internet on the Your Services page, select Setup Smart Device (2.4 GHz), select Switch to 2.4 GHz, then switch back to the device’s own app.
If that does not do it, Spectrum’s last line: “If you’re still having trouble, temporarily switch your smartphone or tablet to 2.4 GHz, turn off cellular or mobile data and then try reconnecting to the WiFi network.” Neither page cited below prints a firmware, reset or faulty router step for this symptom, so this article does not either.
If the whole connection comes and goes rather than one band, this site covers why Spectrum Internet keeps dropping.
What Spectrum’s two pages do not say
An earlier version of this article gave speed figures per band, blamed Bluetooth and a crowded band for 2.4 GHz slowdowns, named 4K streaming and gaming as reasons to pick 5 GHz, and suggested buying a WiFi 6 router. None of that is on the two Spectrum pages cited below: the strings Mbps, Gbps, Bluetooth, 4K, gaming and upgrade print on neither page.
Spectrum’s placement advice is the closest thing it prints: “Place your WiFi router in a central location in your home, away from household electronics such as baby monitors, microwaves and wireless headsets.” That line is about where the router sits, and it names no band.
Choosing a plan is a separate question from choosing a band. This site covers how much Spectrum speed you need and Spectrum Internet speed on their own pages.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Spectrum WiFi 6 router have 2.4 GHz?
Yes. Spectrum’s feature page says Advanced WiFi routers, which include its WiFi 6 models, “support 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz frequencies”, and that only the WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 models carry the 6 GHz part. A WiFi 6 router shows one network name and picks the band for each device.
How do I separate 2.4 and 5 GHz on Spectrum?
On a two name router, they are already separate; rename each one in the router’s settings using the block for your model under “Find Your Equipment” on Spectrum’s connection page. On a one name Advanced WiFi router, neither Spectrum page cited below prints a way to split the bands into two names; the one switch it prints is the 30 minute Set up Smart Device feature.
How do I change my Spectrum router from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz?
With two names, join the 2.4 GHz network by name. With one name, use Set up Smart Device (2.4 GHz) in your Spectrum account or the My Spectrum App, which moves your phones and tablets to 2.4 GHz for 30 minutes and then back. Spectrum’s pages print no permanent 2.4 GHz only setting for a one name router.
Which band should my smart plug or camera use?
2.4 GHz, during setup at least. Spectrum says smart devices “use your phone’s WiFi to connect” and to “Make sure your phone is on the 2.4 GHz frequency when setting them up.” Devices that can only use 2.4 GHz, in Spectrum’s words, “will automatically connect to that frequency.”
Why does my phone keep switching between 2.4 and 5 GHz?
On an Advanced WiFi router that is the design. Spectrum says the router switches your device “based on how close your device is to the router”, and adds that “Certain devices may switch frequencies when connected to the internet.”
For the service itself, this site covers whether Spectrum Internet is reliable.