Just set up my gateway… working fine for the most part, but it doesn't appear in the list of available networks on my Windows 10 laptop. Phone, tablet, another laptop elsewhere in the house… the network shows up just fine on all those devices.Any idea what would cause this? TIA!

PROBLEM SOLVED. I was having the same issue with an older Asus laptop. When I had the 4G LTE router/modem from T-Mobile the network would show up on my laptop but once I got the 5G one the network wouldn't show up on my laptop but it would show up on all other devices. The work around I found was purchasing the TP-Link RE300 range extender. You connect the range extender to the 5G router/modem then connect the problem device to the range extender. In my case it was my laptop which is now connected to the range extender and working fine. This range extender is 2.4ghz and 5g compatible. Not sure if other range extenders would work as this is the only one I own and have tried. Also, I just ran a speed test and there's no noticeable difference in speed due to being connected to the range extender instead of the T-Mobile router/modem directly. The range extender I bought was only like $30 or $40 dollars and was very easy to set up.

I hope this helps someone experiencing my scenario where Laptop WIFI Adapter Driver is old...After installing the T-Mobile Gateway Gray Kit I was unable to see the SSID name in the list of available networks on my 2017 HP Laptop running Windows 10, but everything else in the house connected, since I renamed Gateway to the previous router SSID name. I searched the type of wireless adapter I have in laptop, Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265, and visited Intel site to update Wireless adapter Driver to the latest for my device, 19.51.33.1. After the update I am able to see the Gateway SSID and laptop connects.To find WIFI adapter name: Right click internet icon in Task Bar > Open Network & Internet Settings > select 'WIFI' > 'Harware Properties'. Look for Manufacturer Name an Model. Go to manufacturer site and search for driver download; mine was an executable file, which installed and updated after a few prompts.One may access the T-Mobile Gateway Settings by connecting Laptop directly to Gateway via LAN cable into back of Gateway and enter 192.168.12.1 into browser. One may view and modify the 2.4GHz and 5GHz WIFI Networks Settings. Username: admin > Password: (Is what you determined during installation, or the default listed on bottom of Gateway.) I'm using my laptop on the 2.4GHz network, so I changed the Gateway Channel from default 1 to 11, this didn't affect the other devices already connected. None of these changes had any affect on laptop SSID discovery until after I updated the Driver.

All this is a common issue because of the age of your client device(laptop, phone etc). This is because the wireless card in the device does not support the newest 2.4ghz bands that the T-Mobile devices comes defaulted to. You do not need to buy an extender or any other piece of equipment, only change one setting on the router. You will want to log into the router settings, theses are found on the bottom of the T-Mobile device. Navigate to:Network Wi-Fi Network 2.4ghz Change Transmission Mode from "Auto(AX/G) Start with N/G - if your device still cannot see the Wireless Network - go to next step Change to B/G Due to the age of the device it is not a big deal to have a lower transmission speed on the 2.4ghz channel - all modern devices will connect to the 5ghz channel or WiFi 6 if your device supports it. Hope this helps! If you need any other IT Services feel free to reach out to us! www.cloudITaustin.com

Do you have both 2.4 and 5ghz broadcasting? I think some older laptops can't see both

alarmguy wrote: Which TMobile device are your talking about? Is this the New Nokia Gray Tower? If so, how did you set up the Wifi network in your home, did you set your own SSID's or are you using the TMobile WiFI name? Did you select your own channels? Or do you have it on "Auto"? The reason for my questions is because of this; The Nokia Tower offers a wide selection of Wifi Channels which is fantastic. These channels are used world wide meaning not all channels are used in all countries. Its a global device. The Channels offered to us in the USA includes some channels with restrictions and not commonly used in typical routers. In this respect the Nokia router is superior, as you can truly set a channel in a crowded wifi area that no one else uses. The down side is, since these channels are not commonly used in the USA some devices are not programmed/capable of seeing them. So if you set your own channel you may have selected channels your device can not see, change it to a commonly used channel or simply set it to "Auto" and let the device choose your channel for you. More or less, it is something with your computer and not the Nokia Tower. Try refreshing your network on the computer because no matter what, its should be seeing the 2.5 network at the least, no matter what settings on the router. How do I change set it to "auto"? I have the nokia gray tower. I changed the name it with and it works on all other devices but on my laptop's list of network does not show. I don't know what you mean by select your own channel.

Windows laptop can't find T-Mobile Home Internet network... but all other devices can

Chaz7138
Network Novice
Hace 7 meses
NC1037
Well guess what, plugged the USB adapters in and both computers instantly recognized the T Mobile Gateway in both the 5Gig & 2.4Gig bands. Hate to have to buy the adapters but for a non computer literate its the far less frustrating option. Again thanks for all your help.
nc1037
Bandwidth Buddy
Hace 7 meses
@syaoran WEP is very old and less secure than WPA. It's not an option on my gateway.
TKIP & AES is the only option with WPA/WPA2.
I agree that AES only is best, and is the only option with WPA2/WPA3 or WPA2.
I don't think not using auto channel selection is an option with my gateway. Where do you see it?
other than the time I spend here in the forum, I spend less time fiddling with TMHI than I did with my 802.11ac router and spectrum modem or their predecessors. I remember trial and error with channel selection on my 802.11n routers.
syaoran
Transmission Titan
Hace 7 meses
Don't use auto for channels and always select AES, not AES and TKIP. Channels 3, 6, and 9 are the most compatible for troubleshooting. AES as well instead of TKIP or both. WPA/WPA2 is usually enough for most devices but being a decade old... WEP is a possibility for as high as the device might support when connecting. I have am old color laser printer that uses WEP at best when connecting to 2.4GHz WiFi. If you can, wire the device if the troubleshooting doesn't get it connected, if possible.
nc1037
Bandwidth Buddy
Hace 7 meses
Dedicated 2.4 GHz network. (second network). It is Hidden because it is less secure than the primary default network. It is easier to establish initial connection if it is not hidden. (Change to Hidden later)
nc1037
Bandwidth Buddy
Hace 7 meses
Here is what the default network looks like in T-Mobile Internet app. I changed the network name and password; the rest of the configuration is as it came a year ago. Most devices should be able to connect to this. The next post will be the dedicated 2.4 GHz network.
nc1037
Bandwidth Buddy
Hace 7 meses
The support people don’t have hands-on experience; they work from scripts.
Since your USB Wi-Fi adapter is due in today, I'll wait to see if that works for you. If you would like, I can make screenshots of how to connect with Windows 11 and also Windows 10.
In the meantime, here's what my THMI network looks like on my 12-year-old Dell desktop computer (Windows 10). The driver is from Microsoft and is dated 2013. (This is just proof that it can work.)
Chaz7138
Network Novice
Hace 7 meses
Nc1037
First let me say thank u so much for trying to help me. No I haven't tried any those. I'm an 81 year old neophyte when it comes to computers and how they should work. I can move around win 10 ok but I just got the win 11 unit in so the os is completely new to me. I was able to watch a you tube Video on how to boot the computer without Wi-Fi but have been stuck ever since just trying my win 10 to connect to the TMobile gateway, which I have had to work on an ethernet cable for over a year while trying to get someone at TMobile to help. All they tell me, in the end, is to call the mfg of my computer. Dell tells me the computer is past its lifetime expectancy so they can't help.. Sorry to rant but I'm quite frustrated with the whole TMobile thing, they know they have an issue with pc's so why don't they fix it. My USB Wi-Fi adapter is due in today so I'll try that next then determine weather to stay with Tmobile or move to Spectrum. Thanks again for your help, have to run to a DR appt. now !
nc1037
Bandwidth Buddy
Hace 7 meses
@Chaz7138 you shouldn't need a new wi-fi adapter. Have you tried the others tips in this discussion, such as checking for driver updates, and your Services settings? I can try to get images from my ancient Dell desktop.
syaoran
Transmission Titan
Hace 7 meses
Try setting the 2.5GHz security to WEP, if that is an option to see if that works.
Chaz7138
Network Novice
Hace 7 meses
nc1037
Well i set up a new 2.4GH network but computers still wont connect. on the win 10 unit the "manage network screen shows both the 5G & 2.4G networks, however when I switch "show available networks neither shows up. on the win 11 unit doesn''t show either. I ordered 2 USB 5.0 WIFI adapters today which support both 5G & 2.4G.Hopefully they will work.
Thanks again for your help!!!