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PixelPop can't find your Wi-Fi? Let's open the door.

PixelPop is a little old-school: it only speaks 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Almost every router can do 2.4 GHz, but some hide it or blend it with the faster 5 GHz kind. This page walks you through letting PixelPop in. No tech skills needed, promise.

The short version

  • The 2.4 GHz part of your Wi-Fi is turned on.
  • Smart Connect (or "band steering") is off, so 2.4 GHz has its own name.
  • Security is WPA2/WPA3 (mixed) or WPA2, not "WPA3 only".

All three true? You're done. Pick your network when you set up PixelPop and enjoy the show.

Optional · 2 minutes

First, a quick test with your iPhone.

This tells you whether PixelPop is happy and only the router needs a nudge. Your phone pretends to be a simple 2.4 GHz router for a minute.

  1. On your iPhone open Settings, then Personal Hotspot.

  2. Turn on Maximize Compatibility. That's the switch that makes the hotspot use 2.4 GHz.

  3. Turn on Allow Others to Join and stay on that screen. Note the Wi-Fi name (your phone's name) and the password.

  4. Set up PixelPop with that network.

It connected? Great, PixelPop works. Follow the router steps below so it can live on your home Wi-Fi, then set it up again with your home network. You can turn the hotspot off afterwards.

About 10 minutes

Change your router settings.

  1. Find your router's app or page

    Most routers have a phone app. If you know your router or internet company, try its app:

    eeroGoogle HomeOrbi / NighthawkDeco / Tether (TP-Link)ASUS RouterLinksysXfinityMy SpectrumAT&T Smart Home ManagerMy Fios

    No app? Turn the router over. The sticker usually shows a web address and a password. Type the address into Safari or Chrome while you're on your home Wi-Fi. It often looks like one of these:

    192.168.0.1192.168.1.110.0.0.1routerlogin.nettplinkwifi.netrouter.asus.com

    The login password is on that same sticker. It's often different from your Wi-Fi password.

  2. Open the Wi-Fi settings

    Look for a menu called Wi-Fi, Wireless, or Network. Sometimes it's tucked under Advanced.

  3. Make sure 2.4 GHz is on

    You'll usually see two sections, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Check that 2.4 GHz is switched on (enabled). Leave 5 GHz on too; your phone and laptop like it.

  4. Turn off Smart Connect and give 2.4 GHz its own name

    Some routers blend both kinds into one network name. Turn that blending off. Depending on the brand it's called:

    Smart ConnectBand SteeringCombine 2.4 and 5 GHzSame name for both bandsDual-band SSID

    Then give the 2.4 GHz network a name you'll recognize, like MyHome-2.4. You can keep the same password.

    Heads up: if you rename your main network, every device has to rejoin. Renaming only the 2.4 GHz one is the gentlest choice.

  5. Set the security type

    Find Security or Encryption for the 2.4 GHz network and pick:

    Choose thisAvoid this
    WPA2/WPA3-PersonalWPA3-Personal only
    WPA2-Personal (AES)WPA2-Enterprise
    WPA2/WPA3 TransitionOpen (no password)

  6. Save and wait a moment

    Tap Save or Apply. The router may restart and your Wi-Fi may blink off for a minute or two. That's normal.

  7. Set up PixelPop again

    Pick your 2.4 GHz network (for example MyHome-2.4) and type the password carefully. Capital letters count.

Mesh systems and provider boxes

Got pucks around the house?

Mesh systems use several little Wi-Fi points. Many don't let you split the bands, and that's usually fine: PixelPop can still join the shared name as long as 2.4 GHz is on and "WPA3 only" is off. Tap yours for tips.

eero

eero always uses one name for both bands, so there's nothing to split.

If PixelPop won't join: in the eero app open Settings → Troubleshooting → My device won't connect → Pause 5 GHz. Set up PixelPop while 5 GHz is paused. It turns itself back on, and PixelPop stays connected.

Still stuck? Check that WPA3 is off under Settings → Network settings.

Google Wifi / Nest Wifi

Google uses one name for both bands and doesn't let you split them. 2.4 GHz is always on, so PixelPop normally joins without changes.

If it won't: in the Google Home app open Wi-Fi → Settings → Network settings and turn WPA3 off (newer Nest Wifi Pro only). Setting PixelPop up close to one of the Wi-Fi points also helps.

Netgear Orbi

Use the Orbi app or visit orbilogin.com. Look under Wireless (or Advanced → Wireless Settings) for Enable Smart Connect. Untick it to give 2.4 GHz its own name. Set security to WPA2-PSK [AES] or WPA2/WPA3.

TP-Link Deco

In the Deco app tap More → IoT Network (on newer models) and turn it on. It makes a separate 2.4 GHz network just for gadgets like PixelPop. Join PixelPop to that one.

No IoT Network option? Check under More → Wi-Fi that 2.4 GHz is on and security isn't WPA3 only.

Internet provider box (Xfinity, Spectrum, AT&T, Verizon…)

Open your provider's app (see the list above) and look for Wi-Fi settings or Advanced settings. Some let you split the bands with a switch like "use separate names" or "use same settings for 2.4 and 5 GHz".

If the app won't let you, the web page on the box's sticker often has more options. Still stuck? Call your provider and say: "Please split my 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi into separate network names." They hear it all the time.

Still not connecting?

A few less common things.

  1. Bring PixelPop closer to the router for setup. You can move it back afterwards.

  2. If the 2.4 GHz Channel is set to 12 or 13, change it to 1, 6, or 11 (or Auto).

  3. Guest networks that make you tap "I agree" on a web page (like in hotels) won't work. Use your normal home network.

  4. Still no luck? Send us the brand and model from the router sticker and a photo of its Wi-Fi settings screen, and we'll sort it out together. If PixelPop itself seems stuck, try the PixelPop CPR rescue tool.