Forum Discussion
repeater not connecting to gateway
My canon printer wouldn't prompt for a network password on my T-Mobile gateway and I read here that a wifi repeater would do the trick. I have tried setting it up several times (resetting in between attempts) and the only time the "connected to host" light will light solid is if I connect with an ethernet cable (but that messes with all our device connections). What is the fix to get it to communicate? Power is on, Wifi light is on, and the indicator shows it's connected to the internet, but there is no connection to the host. Does that even make any sense?
It makes sense to me. Depending upon the Canon printer model and the age of the printer the network adapter capability is probably part of the equation.
Assuming you have the Arcadyan or Sagemcon gateway you need to use the T-Mobile home internet mobile application to login as “admin” and be able to make changes.
Once you are logged in you will want to select Red on the bottom bar
You should see a magenta dot with a white + in the middle. (select that)
You can “ADD” a network SSID for your printer on the 2.4 GHz frequency (pass phrase as well)
Provide it with WPA/WPA2 (AES) for the encryption authentication type
Once you have the network name/passphrase/authentication type then “Apply/Save
After that try to connect your printer to the network name you set up for the printer. My guess is the printer only supports 2.4 GHz radio frequency AND will only support WPA or WPA2 authentication type.
If the default for the 2.4 GHz network for every thing else is WPA2/WPA3 (AES) then the printer cannot connect as it is expecting WPA for authentication type IF it is 5-7 years old. High probability. If you had your printer connected with an Ethernet cable then remove that before you attempt to connect to the new network name with the WPA authentication type.
Also: (assuming this works properly)
If you configure a custom admin password and forget it, use the password reset function found within the T-Mobile Internet mobile app to reset the password to factory default.
The Sagemcon has it on the back. Below is the example from the manual:
Did you try the password on the label on the gateway itself? I believe the Arcadyan and Sagemcon gateway both have the default admin password on the label on the gateway. If you have trouble reading it use your phone, take a picture of the label and zoom in on it till you can easily read it.
Thank you. Of course, the admin password that came with the Gateway isn't working. Now I'm afraid to reset it all and have none of it work after. lol
My take is to avoid adding a wireless extender or repeater as that only adds another point of failure and additional effort. If you have an older repeater or extender that also may suffer from some of the same limitations as the printer so why bother with fighting with two devices vs just attack the problem head on with the printer.
The Canon model specifications would or should state the network capabilities. More than likely you used WPS long ago in a distant time to get a connection to a WPS capable dinosaur. Well, welcome to the 21st century and 802.11ax. Older printer drivers and the newer WI-FI 6 technology don't always play well as the old printer drivers are not suited to the newer technology and no new drivers are available in most cases. If it was on Windows 7 or Windows 8 for drivers well probably no new drivers for that baby.
It makes sense to me. Depending upon the Canon printer model and the age of the printer the network adapter capability is probably part of the equation.
Assuming you have the Arcadyan or Sagemcon gateway you need to use the T-Mobile home internet mobile application to login as “admin” and be able to make changes.
Once you are logged in you will want to select Red on the bottom bar
You should see a magenta dot with a white + in the middle. (select that)
You can “ADD” a network SSID for your printer on the 2.4 GHz frequency (pass phrase as well)
Provide it with WPA/WPA2 (AES) for the encryption authentication type
Once you have the network name/passphrase/authentication type then “Apply/Save
After that try to connect your printer to the network name you set up for the printer. My guess is the printer only supports 2.4 GHz radio frequency AND will only support WPA or WPA2 authentication type.
If the default for the 2.4 GHz network for every thing else is WPA2/WPA3 (AES) then the printer cannot connect as it is expecting WPA for authentication type IF it is 5-7 years old. High probability. If you had your printer connected with an Ethernet cable then remove that before you attempt to connect to the new network name with the WPA authentication type.
