Switches will not connect to 802.11ax (WIFI6) but work on 802.11n

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Switches will not connect to 802.11ax (WIFI6) but work on 802.11n

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
Switches will not connect to 802.11ax (WIFI6) but work on 802.11n
Switches will not connect to 802.11ax (WIFI6) but work on 802.11n
2023-01-16 21:57:47
Tags: #wifi6
Model: HS220   HS200   HS210  
Hardware Version: V1
Firmware Version: 1.5.7

Hello,

 

I have around 20 KASA devices setup with another 10 that I have not wired up yet.  Last week I upgraded my wifi from 802.11n/ac to 802.11ax.  Ubiquiti WIFI5 to Mikrotik WIFI6.

Yes I know, the KASA devices are all 802.11n since they are 2.4ghz.  After upgrading most of the devices could NOT log on to the WIFI6 2.4ghz/ax network.  All the switches went blinked the reconnect light and then went solid orange.  All except 3.  Only the HS220v3.0, KL400L5v1.0, KP400v3.0 were able to connect properly to 2.4ghz while in ax mode.

I have to set the 2.4ghz to '802.11n' for the other switches to connect.  This greatly degrades my network.  I had WPA2 and WPA3 enabled, and now even tried only WPA2 while in 802.11ax, and still all but the 3 Kasa devices are not able to connect.

 

Here is the list of my devices;

 

HS220(US)    192.168.1.129    9999    34:60:F9:4B:19:E3    Maximus Light        1.0.8    Build    220826    Rel    143802    V    3.0 **Connects**
KL400L5(US)    192.168.1.122    9999    10:27:F5:30:64:06    TV Backlight        1.0.8    Build    211018    Rel    162056    V    1.0 **Connects**
KP400(US)    192.168.1.116    9999    10:27:F5:17:DE:7E    Outside                1.0.2    Build    210105    Rel    165938    V    3.0 **Connects**
HS103(US)    192.168.1.117    9999    50:D4:F7:EB:3D:EE    Upstairs Garland    1.1.4    Build    210409    Rel    113427    V    2.1
HS103(US)    192.168.1.126    9999    50:D4:F7:EB:33:B9    PlugOne                1.1.4    Build    210409    Rel    113427    V    2.1
HS210(US)    192.168.1.199    9999    AC:84:C6:38:36:E6    Entrance            1.5.8    Build    191118    Rel    135937    V    1.0
HS200(US)    192.168.1.192    9999    AC:84:C6:3C:1E:90    Front Room            1.5.7    Build    191118    Rel    140152    V    2.0
HS105(US)    192.168.1.125    9999    OC:80:63:1C:C0:93    Christmas Tree        1.5.6    Build    191114    Rel    104204    V    1.0
HS220(US)    192.168.1.198    9999    OC:80:63:02:F2:6E    Dining Room            1.5.11    Build    200214    Rel    152651    V    1.0
HS220(US)    192.168.1.191    9999    OC:80:63:73:07:42    TV Room                1.5.11    Build    200214    Rel    152651    V    1.0
HS200(US)    192.168.1.194    9999    OC:80:63:4F:10:9B    TV Lamp                1.5.7    Build    191118    Rel    140152    V    2.0
HS105(US)    192.168.1.138    9999    OC:80:63:1C:C0:D9    Tv                    1.5.6    Build    191114    Rel    104204    V    1.0
HS220(US)    192.168.1.195    9999    OC:80:63:73:06:23    Master Bedroom2        1.5.11    Build    200214    Rel    152651    V    1.0
HS220(US)    192.168.1.200    9999    AC:84:C6:6F:1E:F4    Master Bedroom        1.5.11    Build    200214    Rel    152651    V    1.0
HS200(US)    192.168.1.187    9999    AC:84:C6:3C:1B:56    Backyard            1.5.7    Build    191118    Rel    140152    V    2.0
HS200(US)    192.168.1.190    9999    AC:84:C6:2B:09:8D    Office                1.5.7    Build    191118    Rel    140152    V    2.0
HS210(US)    192.168.1.193    9999    AC:84:C6:4A:E3:2A    Hallway                1.5.8    Build    191118    Rel    135937    V    1.0
HS200(US)    192.168.1.189    9999    B0:4E:26:EC:25:33    Porch                1.5.7    Build    191118    Rel    140152    V    2.0
HS200(US)    192.168.1.188    9999    AC:84:C6:3C:25:EF    Ext Pot Lights        1.5.7    Build    191118    Rel    140152    V    2.0
HS103(US)    192.168.1.121    9999    50:D4:F7:EB:33:B3    Garland TV            1.1.4    Build    210409    Rel    113427    V    2.1
 

The first 3 connect in 802.11n AND 802.11ax modes.  As do all my other 2.4ghz devices (LIFX, ESP32, SONOFF, etc)

The HS220 v3.0 works great, but the v1.0 don't

 

Please help :(

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6 Reply
Re:Switches will not connect to 802.11ax (WIFI6) but work on 802.11n
2023-01-18 07:50:19 - last edited 2023-01-18 07:58:49

 Hi  @HomeLabCan 

Thank you very much for reaching out and providing case details!

 

The Kasa smart plugs are Wi-Fi 5 devices and need to connect to  802.11n 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi network.While the Wi-Fi 6 should be backward compatible with Wi-Fi 5  evices, therefore Kasa smart device can still connect to Wi-Fi 6 network. Can you check if some tips below helps

 

 

1.  Wireless Type:  802.11n/ax is recommended instead of 802.11ax only

2. Security: WPA/WPA2(AES) is recommended. Most new version kasa device has supported WPA3, but  old version kasa devices may not support WPA3 yet.

 

If still the same, can you share the information here to help us look into it further

 

- the model of router + its hardware and firmware version 

- a photo of router's wireless setting

- a photo of error in the kasa app
- Model & hardware version of kasa device ( received)
- Mac address of the kasa devices, please share via PM  ( received)

- optional, please try to help collect app log , I shared with you via PM, thank you

 

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#2
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Re:Switches will not connect to 802.11ax (WIFI6) but work on 802.11n
2023-01-18 16:14:46

  @Solla-topee here is additional information

 

The AP is a MikroTik hAP ax3 running routerOS 7.7    I'm attaching the screen grab of the modes

 

All Kasa devices work on 2GHz N, but only 3 Kasa devices work on 2GHz AX

 

The authentication settings are as follows

 

 

I've also tried just enabling WPA2 PSK, but it makes no difference.

 

In the Kasa iOS app all it shows is that the devices are "Offline"

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#3
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Re:Switches will not connect to 802.11ax (WIFI6) but work on 802.11n
2023-01-24 03:42:23

  @HomeLabCan 

 

Nice..  gear and organization.  If you are reusing the previous SSID / password.. maybe some devices are finnicky with the router change.. have you tried resetting and re-adding one or more problematic kasa device?

 

An unrelated thing.. for the devices that do work.. could you try locking / linking them to specific AP / nodes... and observe if they continue to operate okaya few weeks time.. and or after certain test scenarios.. router power off / on... power to certain switch segments off / on.   I have an Asus AiMesh setup and the kasa devices dont seem to work well if locked to a node..  I have to allow the router to manage the kasa devices.   My computing devices can be linked to specific nodes with no issues I'm aware of..

 

 

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#4
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Re:Switches will not connect to 802.11ax (WIFI6) but work on 802.11n
2023-01-24 17:45:10

  @LearnTO 

 

Yes I tried to reset them, but even then they did not see the SSID in the iOS app.  I ended up using an old Asus RT-N16 and used the old SSID in 802.11n mode.  Not the ideal solution, but the switches are online.  Going to have to really think about the future direction of my home automation now.  Really bugs me that 3 of their devices have no issues at all.  Guess they don't want to support the older ones.

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#5
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Re:Switches will not connect to 802.11ax (WIFI6) but work on 802.11n
2023-01-28 08:13:11

HomeLabCan wrote

  @LearnTO 

 

Yes I tried to reset them, but even then they did not see the SSID in the iOS app.  I ended up using an old Asus RT-N16 and used the old SSID in 802.11n mode.  Not the ideal solution, but the switches are online.  Going to have to really think about the future direction of my home automation now.  Really bugs me that 3 of their devices have no issues at all.  Guess they don't want to support the older ones.

 

@HomeLabCan 

 

Doesn't hurt to ask if you could have the problematic switches warranty replaced.   Otherwise, consider looking ahead for devices that support matter if replacing or adding new devices out of pocket.

 

Our home switches were due for replacement as our dimmers were not designed for LEDs.  Followed home automation and smart home tech for some time but did not want to be locked into costly or proprietary platforms.   Pulled the trigger over the 2021 holidays due to health needs.. and the benefits of automated, timed or flexible brightness and colour temps..  Went with Kasa as they complied with local regulations, affordable, readably available and although proprietary, they offered ways to connect to many other platforms, especially via Smartthings.   I'm in the tech field so use to bugs.. there's alot more bugs and issues that I anticipated.. However, from what I read this seems to be true for every vendor / platform even costlier ones.

 

Probably spent $4k on various smart home devices mostly TP Link Kasa. for in wall stuff and bulbs..  Ikea Tradfri for zigbee remotes, repeaters, linked via Smartthings.. and some Philips Hue.. (not yet installed...)  Fortunately, I have / or will recoup well over the costs by insalling the devices my own.

 

I've read some posts here where folks run across issues that are so easily resolved by a small investment in proper tools and reading or watching some examples.   No offense, but folks who cant be bothered to invest in proper tools or try to read or watch some instructions.. should just hire an electrician to do the job right.

 

 

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#6
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Re:Switches will not connect to 802.11ax (WIFI6) but work on 802.11n
2023-03-17 00:16:33

  @HomeLabCan 

I have a similar setup, but with a mikrotik routerboard hap ax2.

I have created a virtual wireless interface and my old Kasa switch now see the wifi and can connect to it.

 

(Sorry for the image, if I write text in the post and got error message about external link)

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#7
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