With the 2.4 GHz band totally cluttered and delivering worst speeds, I went ahead and bought a (5 GHz) dual band router. But the problem is that my older devices like a Vizio TV and an Android TV box do not see the 5 GHz band. I understand that their network cards are limited to 2.4 GHz. What alternatives can I use to either improve the speed of my 2.4 GHz router or make my older devices see the 5 GHz band? (Maybe by buying a 5 GHz wireless USB adapter for the TV and the Android box?)
Model – Asus RT-N66U
SSID 1 – 2.4 GHz – 802.11n
SSID 2 – 5 GHz – 802.11n
More information about my situation: My devices see only the 2.4 GHz band and not the other one. And I want my devices to use the 5 GHz band instead because when they connect to 2.4 GHz band the speed drops down to <2 Mbps whereas on the 5 GHz band, they are showing the actual speed of ~90 Mbps (105 Mbps plan).
Best Answer
No. Because your older devices are using hardware that only can connect to 2.4GHz 802.11 networks. You also cannot purchase USB 802.11 devices for phones and smart TVs.
If you willing to buy hardware. The simplest solution would be to purchase a 2.4 GHz single-band router and connect it to the 5 GHz router.
Since the Asus RT-N66U actually is a dual-band router. It should be as simply as turning on the 2.4 radio in the configuration page.
The type of devices you want to connect to 5 GHz cannot connect, and getting additional hardware to add that capability is silly if all you have to do is enable the other network on the router (which is likely disabled by default).