I've just got a brand new 3-packs Deco XE75, all with wired backhauling, and after setting everything up, my devices could only connect to the 2.4GHz band.

 

For context, I tried with:

 

- iPhone 13 Pro Max (2021)

- M1 Pro MacBook Pro 14" (2021)

- M1 iPad Pro 12.9" (2021)

- iPhone SE 3rd Gen (2022)

- M2 MacBook Air (2022)

- M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14" (2024)

- iPad Mini 17 (2024)

- Samsung A34 (2024)

 

Everything is on the latest OS (iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, Sequoia 15.2, Android 14 / One UI 6.1)

 

The XE75 is broadcasting the SSID just fine, I checked using the Wifi Analyzer on an Android and it's broadcasting the 5GHz on Channel 40 just fine. But my devices were only able to connect to the 2.4GHz network.

I have tried the following and these doesn't work:

 

- Updated firmware to the latest version

- Set the network to only broadcast to the 5GHz

- Set each device to prefer 5GHz on the deco app

- Used WPA2, WPA3, and WPA2/WPA3 Personal security

- Used the IoT network 5GHz

- Used the Guest network on 5GHz

- Used "Network optimization" on the deco app

- Turned off Private Wi-Fi Address on my Apple devices

- Reset network settings on my Apple devices

- Factory reset my deco

- Restarted my deco and my devices multiple times

- Used only ONE unit at a time and set it as the main deco (tried with all 3 units)

- Set deco mode as AP

- Set deco mode as router

 

My devices either can't connect (if the XE75 is set to only broadcast 5GHz) at all, or will stay connected to the 2.4GHz (if the XE75 broadcasts both).

 

I used Deco X20 previously and have experienced no issues at all.

 

After further digging, I noticed that my Deco X20 were broadcasting the 5GHz on Channel 149 and up, while the new Deco XE75 is broadcasting on Channel 40. I'm aware that neither the Deco app or the Web interface has a feature to change this, and that the "Network optimization" feature is all done automatically.

 

 

Could this be the issue? I think I'll need the XE75 to somehow be able to use any channels between 149–165 (U-NII-3 bands / Band 4).

 

Am I out of luck here? I know Decos are supposed to be "idiot proof" and they push their "Network optimization" thing heavily to end users, but these pucks are now worthless to me because my devices can't connect to the 5GHz network.

 

I don't need to use a specific channel, I just need these pucks to somehow use ANY channel in between 149-165 (Band 4).

 

 

I have also noticed that there was a similar issue reported last year.

 

Someone else mentioned a TP-Link support contacted via inbox and sent over a beta firmware so the Deco can use Band 4.

 

Is there any chance / a way that I can can have someone from TP-Link support help me in similar ways to the above link please?

 

Cheers.