wklearning's profile

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Saturday, July 25th, 2026 7:33 PM

Problem connecting new fan to my XB7 Gateway-requires 2.4 ghz band-I've read through other threads, have more questions

As I see is a common problem, I have a new device that won't connect to my wifi network. I've read that the newer Gateways operate on both bands and automatically switch to the best option. I've read that some people split their network into two operating bands. I've read the troubleshooting should include restarting the Gateway and starting the process again, which I've done. I'm fairly sure I have other devices that require to slower band that I did not experience this issue with. Before I take the step to split the bands, I want to make sure it's really necessary. If it matters, my device is a Broan Exhaust/Ventilating bathroom fan with light. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

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2 days ago

Thanks for the detailed explanation, wklearning. Since many smart home devices, including some Broan models, work only on 2.4 GHz networks, I'd first verify the fan's Wi-Fi requirements before splitting the bands. If the device requires 2.4 GHz and won't connect to the combined network, separating the bands can be a helpful troubleshooting step. You can split the bands through the Xfinity App. Following these steps: Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi details > Edit Wi-Fi settings > Split bands. 

 

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@XfinityDilary​ Thanks for the detailed response. Yes, the fan manufacturer states it can only be used with the 2.4 ghz band. At this point, I guess I will move forward with splitting the bands. Are there any pitfalls that I might want to be aware of by doing so? Thanks again.

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wklearning. You're welcome! If the manufacturer specifically recommends a 2.4 GHz connection, splitting the bands is often the most reliable way to get those devices connected.
 
The main thing to be aware of is that once the bands are separated, some devices may not automatically connect to the band that provides the best performance. You may need to manually choose between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks on certain devices. The 2.4 GHz band typically offers better range, while the 5 GHz band generally provides faster speeds when you're closer to the gateway.
 
Other than that, most customers don't experience any major issues after splitting the bands. If you run into any problems connecting devices or notice any unexpected behavior, please let us know, and we'll be happy to help troubleshoot further. Good luck with the fan setup! 

 

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@XfinityDilary​ Great, thank you!

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wklearnin. You're very welcome! 

 

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Official Employees are from multiple teams within Xfinity: CARE, Product, Leadership.
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