So the Smart Router I rent has 6GHZ capability but I can't access it or the settings...what the hey?

Figureguy123

I just purchased a new Fire TV 4K Max. It is 6E capable and I connected it to my router and went to connect it to the 6E network. I also just received the new WIFI 7 router from Spectrum. It automatically connects to the 5 GHZ so I put the router settings IP into my browset but cannot access it. I have done it in the past with my routers from TW/Spectrum so I didn't know if I was doing something wrong. I reached out to Spectrum's customer service and they said the WIFI 7 router is 'smart' and chooses the network a device can access by itself. I know what I am getting on the 5 GHZ but just wanted to test the 6 GHZ on my device that is compatible. But that is now out of my hands not for this but any other wireless device I own/will own. The representative said the only option is to purchase my own router where I can control the settings but I like the fact that if the router died right now I could just drive to Spectrum and get another rather than have to buy and wait for one to come. That is why I still and have always rented it. But not having control over how I want a device to connect feels a LOT like throttling to me. I am just not happy with the situation but am not sure where to go. Thanks you in advance for your thoughts.

Kelly_M

Hello @Figureguy123 and thank you for reaching out on the Community Forums!

For our routers, being that they are intuitive systems that learn the nuances of the devices on your network, there's not a way to force it to connect to one network or another. You can have our team optimize the network to encourage devices to another frequency. But the best way to go about this due to the feature, is to get the router of your own and keep our modem, this way you get the features you want.

But if there's anything we can otherwise advise, please let us know.

HT_Greenfield

🔗 https://www.derekseaman.com/2024/04/6-ghz-wi-fi-are-your-devices-ready-for-standard-power.html

🔗 https://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/modems-routers-wireless-adapters ↳ WiFi 7 Routers ↳ 🔗 Spectrum WiFi 7 ↳ View Manual : ↳ Spectrum WiFi 7 Router Technical Specs (top of page 7) ↳ Benefits ↳ […] Future capability upgrade to support AFC (Automated Frequency Coordination) which enables the WiFi 7 router to potential[ly] increase the power of the 6 GHz radio from LPI (Low Power Indoor) default mode to SP (Standard Power) mode.

HT_Greenfield

P.S.: I've explored the Wi-Fi Alliance 🔗 https://www.wi-fi.org/certification -ology of Spectrum's Wi-Fi 7 router as well as Fire TV sticks and i can pretty much confirm that neither are 6-GHz standard-power certified and, therefore, what with the tri-band unified service-set ID nameology at play with the router, your chances of having the stick connect to the router at 6 GHz instead of 5 (or 2.4) are slim to none regardless of proximity.

Thus would i stick with that router like a mustard plaster for the meantime❗️☘️

Figureguy123

Thank you for responding Kelly. I appreciate it and will keep your advice in mind.

Figureguy123

Thank you, HT. Since the new Fire Stick 4k Max is touted as working with 6E I thought I could just connect to the 6GHZ. Mind you I only purchased it because the old one was flaking out but I thought it would be an improvement. It the router I have is 'future proof' and I prefer to not buy a router I will just let it play out.