Canceling my order just because of this...

It's baffling that separating 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands isn't a standard feature. I recently bought a three-pack of X55s from TP-Link and didn’t research beforehand, naively assuming the Deco would offer the same functionalities as my decade-old Netgear Nighthawk r7000.

I own over 50 smart devices, including switches, lightbulbs, timers, TVs, assistant speakers, wireless IP cameras, phones, laptops, gaming consoles, and a printer. I was expecting a seamless transition with the Deco, where I could set up separate SSIDs for 2.4 and 5GHz and have everything instantly connect. To my dismay, I discovered this isn't an option.

The guest network workaround is impractical, as it creates a completely isolated network. Some of my older IP cameras only support 2.4GHz, and if placed on the guest network, they can't link to the recording computer on the main network. Many older smart devices also exclusively use 2.4 GHz. This limitation particularly impacts setups with devices like my IP cameras. Not to mention do you realize the hassle of reconfiguring network settings and SSID names for all these devices?

Fortunately, I made the purchase through Amazon, so returning them is an option. I had anticipated a smooth switch from Netgear to TP-Link, considering their reputation in consumer networking. However, the lack of this basic feature is quite disappointing. This thread has been active for nearly two years, and the only solution we've seen is a firmware update to set a preferred band for each device in the Deco app.

As others have pointed out in the preceding 12 pages of this thread, separating the 6GHz band from the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands is available in other Deco models. It's perplexing why TP-Link wouldn't enable separate SSIDs for the 2.4 and 5GHz bands as well.

Unhappy with my purchase for this sole reason. If it was solved I've be a happy customer.

  @Analogged 

The Deco X55 received the iOT-network update earlier this year.
You can setup a 2.4GHz-only iOT network with its own SSID that way easily. 

Also the X55 doesn't have any 6GHz option, that is limited to the X75 and above. 

  @DennisSchmitz55 Ughhh so they saw the need for the iOT-network to enable it for the X55 but never thought that maybe they should do the same with their newer product ? I call this bad decision making...

  @starkdera 

I have the IoT network on my X75 working flawlessly as well, set to 2.4Ghz only.

  @DennisSchmitz55 If it's set to 2.4Ghz only that doesn't mean "working flawlessly" it mean you can't separate 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. Read the title of this discussion.

  @jay_beast 

not sure if it helps but I just purchased this and realized the 2.4 and 5 GHz issue. I use a lot of smart devices that require 2.4 and haven't seen anyone mention. It's a bit of a workaround, but if you set the main network to 2.4 only, connect any required 2.4 devices, once they are connected, change the settings in that device to only connected to 2.4 on the deco app. After that, go back and change the main network to both 2.4 and 5, and everything should work fine, at least it has for me.