Change wifi name to separate 2.4 and 5 networks

I have recently exchanged my old XB6 gateway for a new XB8 gateway. I had to have an agent activate the new gateway. I forgot I needed to separate the 2.4 band and the 5 band and need to do so as I have several devices that will only connect at 2.4. I went in the admin tool using my browser and it referred me to the Xfinity App. When I clicked on the wifi button at the bottom of the app screen, the app presented me with a sparse screen with no relevant options. In reviewing the online help, it says that settings are not available if advanced wifi settings are enabled. How do I disable these advanced settings so that I may change the wifi names to separate the bands? Attempts to use the assistant to accomplish this have been futile. I have been unable to trigger the assistant to put me in contact with a live person to help.

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XfinityRoberto

Official Employee

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1.8K Messages

26 days ago

Hello and welcome to Comcast @SQLGuy1. Our newer gateways, do not have the availability of separating the 2.4 and 5Ghz like the old XB6 modem. The last one to have the option is the XB7 gateway.

Historically, you were encouraged to use a different WiFi name and password for each band. You then had to choose which band your devices should connect to. Knowing which would provide the best connection and performance was guesswork.

That’s now changed. With the advanced intelligence of xFi Gateways, using the same name and password for the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6GHz (if applicable) bands lets the Gateway sort out which one will provide a better connection at any given time. You will still have all bands and all the associated functionality, channels and range. However, by using the same WiFi name and password for all, devices will connect seamlessly to the most optimal band at any given time. This is called "band steering."

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kracken

New Poster

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4 Messages

I have the XB8 Gateway. I need to address the 2.4 MHz band for an older Wi-Fi camera. Band steering tries to use 5.0 and the camera connection fails. I am also using a gen1 Pod. It interferes with the Wi-Fi connection to my HP printer, locking it into 2.4 mode, and causing the printer to freeze, which is looking for 5.0 connection. I have solved the printer issue by relocating the Pod to another room further away, fooling band steering into thinking it can use 5.0 for the printer.

I have been told that in order to access the menu which allows separating the 2.4 from 5.0, I must first disable the Pod. From what you are saying, my router is the wrong model to access this at all.

Can you help? (Most Xfinity tech support folks are not trained to handle this level of support.)

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7 days ago

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user_0g6dm1

Visitor

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1 Message

4 days ago

Hi, if I do not wish to separate the bands but simply want to create another separate name and password for say devices and guests, is this possible?

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XfinityVianney

Official Employee

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2.3K Messages

user_0g6dm1, that is a great question. You can use options like WiFi Protected Set-up, or you can use options like the Xfinity App to help get guests online by sharing a QR code, or you can also help them use your Xfinity Hotspot, both of which are outlined here: https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/help-guests-get-online.

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