Forum Discussion
Gateway is NOT dual band, plug and play.
Gateway advertised as dual band, plug and play. Only one 5G network available. How is this dual band?
INSTRUCCIONES
You can have several Wi-Fi networks on the gateway. You want to leave the default network alone (2.4 & 5 GHz; WPA2/WPA3 and AES security) and add a second, dedicated 2.4 GHz network. This second network is for devices that can’t connect to the default network.
Add the second network with the + sign at the bottom of the Network tab in the T-Mobile Internet app on your phone. For this new network, set the band to 2.4 GHz and set the WPA version to WPA/WPA2. (The encryption will automatically change to "TKIP & AES") Try connecting your device to this second network. Use the default network for your other devices, as much as possible. Note that WPA/WPA2 (on the second network) is less secure, so I recommend setting this network to be Hidden. You can Hide it after you get your devices connected to it.
Here are the T-Mobile support instructions for how to add the second network with the app.
Android How to create additional Wi-Fi networks | App T-Mobile Internet | Android | Asistencia de T-Mobile
iOS How to create additional Wi-Fi networks | App T-Mobile Internet | iOS | Asistencia de T-Mobile
Main instructions
The tech support people don't have all the answers, so that's why there are hundreds of troubleshooting discussions in this forum. I am still confident that you can get your phone to connect. Don't get hung up on the fact that your phone isn't 5G. Mine isn't either.
So what you are saying is that I need to buy a new 5g phone for $1000+ in order to make use of gateway?
They tell my that I am the only person in the world that has a non 5g hone that will not connect to a t-mobile dual band plug and play gateway. Your opportunity to make a liar out of me.
Another possible option: See if the T-Mobile internet app is available for the Amazon Fire, either from the Amazon Appstore or if you can “sideload” from Google Play.
OK, I see. I did edit my post, as you were posting. I admit, that is a new situation to me, and I know nothing about ZTE avid phone. I do think my edited comment about having a neighbor help would work.
I have the t-mobile app on my phone. It wants me to connect to the gateway to set up. I turn on wifi, choose the gateway as a connectable device, enter the device password and select connect and nothing. No error messages. How can I set up the gateway with an app on my phone if that phone will not communicate with the gateway?
I didn’t miss that. I said, the ZTE phone won’t connect?
Please read my posts very carefully. I am highly confident that if you do these steps. you will be able to connect your phone and your PC to the second network which you will create. Then you will be a happy camper. Really.
EDITED TO ADD: Are you saying the ZTE phone is how you manage the Gateway? If that is the case, I suggest having a friend or neighbor come over and try to connect to the existing gateway network. Have them download the T-Mobile app. Do the steps on their phone. Once you can connect your phone to the gateway, you shouldn't need your friend anymore.
So you missed the part where my zte avid will see the t-mobile gateway but will not connect, no error messages.
INSTRUCCIONES
You can have several Wi-Fi networks on the gateway. You want to leave the default network alone (2.4 & 5 GHz; WPA2/WPA3 and AES security) and add a second, dedicated 2.4 GHz network. This second network is for devices that can’t connect to the default network.
Add the second network with the + sign at the bottom of the Network tab in the T-Mobile Internet app on your phone. For this new network, set the band to 2.4 GHz and set the WPA version to WPA/WPA2. (The encryption will automatically change to "TKIP & AES") Try connecting your device to this second network. Use the default network for your other devices, as much as possible. Note that WPA/WPA2 (on the second network) is less secure, so I recommend setting this network to be Hidden. You can Hide it after you get your devices connected to it.
Here are the T-Mobile support instructions for how to add the second network with the app.
Android How to create additional Wi-Fi networks | App T-Mobile Internet | Android | Asistencia de T-Mobile
iOS How to create additional Wi-Fi networks | App T-Mobile Internet | iOS | Asistencia de T-Mobile
Main instructions
I will assume the problem is with the security setting of the existing Wi-Fi network on your gateway. This is a common problem here in the forum. The default network, which broadcasts in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, supports WPA2 and WPA3 security and AES encryption mode. WPA3 is the highest level currently available, but many devices don't support it. So WPA2 is there also. However, many of us have older devices that won't support WPA2 and/or AES encryption. So, we need another network that can support WPA and TKIP encryption.
Don't change your default network, because it is the "best" and several of your devices are connected. My next post will be detailed instructions on making a second network.
