# How to Manage 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi on Your Broadband Router
> Change your Vodafone router from 5GHz to 2.4GHz in May 2026. Step-by-step guide for connecting 2.4GHz-only devices like smart home gadgets and dongles to your home network.
**Published:** 2026-05-10
**Updated:** 2026-05-29
**Category:** HOW_TO_TELCO
**Author:** Rafael Tuñón
**Canonical URL:** https://rechargevodafone.co.uk/how-to-switch-from-5ghz-to-2-4ghz-on-your-broadband-router/
## Key takeaways
- Vodafone routers typically broadcast both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz on the same SSID by default, which can cause 2.4 GHz-only devices like GivEnergy dongles and ESP smart-home devices to fail connecting.
- The simplest method is to temporarily disable the 5 GHz band in your router settings, connect your 2.4 GHz device to the network, then re-enable 5 GHz once the connection is established.
- If you need a permanent 2.4 GHz-only network, create a dedicated 2.4 GHz SSID separate from your 5 GHz network, though some users report reconnection issues after router reboots with multiple 2.4 GHz SSIDs.
- Community members report that 2.4 GHz devices connected to Vodafone routers remain reliably connected for 18 months or longer when properly configured on a stable network.
## Key statistics
- **18 months**, Duration ESP devices reliably connected to Vodafone router on 2.4 GHz (Source: SNBForums)
- **2 years**, Duration ESP devices reliably connected to SKY router on 2.4 GHz before switching (Source: SNBForums)
- **2**, Number of separate 2.4 GHz SSIDs the user had configured on their Vodafone router (Source: SNBForums)
- **1**, Number of 5 GHz SSIDs the user had configured on their Vodafone router (Source: SNBForums)
- **4**, Number of ESP devices that failed to reconnect after router reboot on SSID #2 (Source: SNBForums)
## Article
To switch from 5GHz to 2.4GHz on a Vodafone router, the fastest fix is to **split the Wi-Fi bands** so 2.4GHz has its own network name. In short:
1. **Open** the router's gateway page in any browser on a device already on the Vodafone Wi-Fi (exact address in step 2 of the detailed guide below; differs for the Vodafone 5G Hub).
2. **Log in** with the admin password printed on the sticker on the back of the router.
3. **Wi-Fi settings → "Split Wi-Fi bands"** (or similar toggle) → Save.
The router restarts and you will see two networks: the original (now 2.4GHz only) and a new one ending in `_5GHz`. Connect your 2.4GHz-only device (GivEnergy dongle, ESP smart-home sensor, TP-Link Tapo, etc.) to the 2.4GHz one.
If your hub does not show that toggle in the browser (newer Vodafone hubs hide it), the same option lives inside the **Vodafone Broadband mobile app**. Sections below cover the full step-by-step plus the temporary workaround of disabling 5GHz while you pair a single device.
- **The Problem:** Vodafone routers use a single Wi-Fi name for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, which can confuse some smart devices.
- **The Best Solution:** The most reliable fix is to log in to your router's settings and split the Wi-Fi into two separate networks: one for 2.4GHz and one for 5GHz.
- **How to Access Settings:** You can manage your router by navigating to `192.168.1.1` in your web browser. The password is on the label on your router.
- **App vs. Browser:** On some newer hubs, the option to split the bands is only available in the Vodafone Broadband mobile app, not the web browser interface.
## Understanding 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz Wi-Fi
Before changing any settings, it is helpful to understand the difference between the two Wi-Fi bands. Neither is inherently better; they are designed for different purposes.
| Feature | 2.4GHz Band | 5GHz Band |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Range** | Longer range, better at penetrating walls and solid objects. | Shorter range, less effective over long distances or through walls. |
| **Speed** | Slower maximum speeds. | Faster maximum speeds, ideal for high-bandwidth tasks. |
| **Interference** | More prone to interference from other devices (microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth). | Less crowded and therefore less prone to interference. |
| **Best For** | Smart plugs, sensors, thermostats, Wi-Fi cameras, and devices far from the router. | Smart TVs, games consoles, laptops, and smartphones used for streaming or large downloads. |
Many smart home products exclusively use the 2.4GHz band because its longer range and better wall penetration ensure a more stable connection for low-bandwidth devices spread throughout a home.
## Method 1: Split Your Wi-Fi Bands (Recommended)
Creating two separate Wi-Fi networks is the most stable, long-term solution. This allows you to name them differently, for example, `OurHomeWiFi_2.4GHz` and `OurHomeWiFi_5GHz`, ensuring you can always connect devices to the appropriate band.
**How to Create Separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz Networks**
1. **Connect to your router:** Use a computer or device connected to your Vodafone Wi-Fi network.
2. **Open a web browser:** Navigate to `http://192.168.1.1`. (Note: For the Vodafone 5G Hub, the address is `192.168.0.1`).
3. **Log in:** Enter the router's admin password. If you have not changed it, this is printed on a label on the back or bottom of your router, often labelled 'Admin password'.
4. **Navigate to Wi-Fi Settings:** Once logged in, find and click on the 'Wi-Fi' tab or section in the main menu.
5. **Find the Split Bands Option:** Look for a toggle switch or setting labelled 'Split Wi-Fi bands (SSID)' or a similar phrase.
6. **Enable the Split:** Activate the toggle to separate the bands. The router will typically append `_5GHz` to the name of your new 5GHz network, leaving the original name for the 2.4GHz band.
7. **Save the Changes:** Click 'Apply' or 'Save' to confirm the new settings. Your router may restart, and your Wi-Fi will disconnect for a few moments.
8. **Reconnect Your Devices:** You will now see two distinct Wi-Fi networks. Reconnect your high-speed devices to the 5GHz network and your smart home or 2.4GHz-only devices to the 2.4GHz network.
### What if the 'Split Bands' Option is Missing or Greyed Out?
On some of Vodafone's newer routers, such as the 'Power Hub' or 'Ultra Hub', the ability to split the Wi-Fi bands via the web browser interface may be disabled. In this situation, you must use the official **Vodafone Broadband app** on your smartphone to access this setting. The option is often found within the app's Wi-Fi settings or a 'compatibility mode' feature designed for smart devices.
## Method 2: Temporarily Disable the 5GHz Band
If you only need to connect a single troublesome device and do not wish to permanently split your networks, you can use this temporary workaround. The process involves turning off the 5GHz band, connecting your device to the remaining 2.4GHz network, and then turning the 5GHz band back on.
1. **Log in to the router admin panel:** Follow steps 1-3 from the method above, by navigating to `192.168.1.1` and entering your admin password.
2. **Find Advanced Wireless Settings:** Go to the 'Wi-Fi' section. You may need to switch to an 'Expert Mode' or 'Advanced Settings' view to see the required options.
3. **Disable the 5GHz Radio:** Locate the settings for the 5GHz band and look for an option such as 'Enable Wireless Radio' or '5GHz Network'.
4. **Turn it off:** Untick the box or toggle the switch to 'Off' to disable the 5GHz band. Click 'Save' or 'Apply'.
5. **Connect your 2.4GHz device:** Your Wi-Fi network will now only be broadcasting on the 2.4GHz frequency. Use your smart device's app to connect it to your standard Wi-Fi network.
6. **Re-enable the 5GHz Radio:** Go back to the router's admin panel and turn the 5GHz band back on. Save the settings again.
Once the smart device has successfully connected to the 2.4GHz band, it should remember these settings and automatically reconnect to the correct band even after the 5GHz network is restored.
**Q: Why do my smart devices only support 2.4GHz?**
A: Many Internet of Things (IoT) devices like smart plugs, sensors, and cameras do not need high speeds. They prioritise the longer range and better signal penetration of the 2.4GHz band to ensure a stable connection, and using 2.4GHz components is also more cost-effective for manufacturers.
**Q: Will splitting my Wi-Fi bands reduce my internet speed?**
A: No. Splitting the bands simply creates two separate networks and does not change your incoming internet speed. It allows you to manage which devices use which band, which can actually improve performance by ensuring high-bandwidth devices use the faster, less congested 5GHz band.
**Q: I can't log in to 192.168.1.1. What should I do?**
A: First, confirm you are connected to the Vodafone Wi-Fi network. Double-check the address is correct. If it still fails, you may need to perform a factory reset of the router by holding the small 'reset' button on the back for 10-15 seconds. Note that this will erase all custom settings, including your Wi-Fi name and password, reverting them to the defaults printed on the router label.
- Vodafone - How to improve your WiFi signal
- Vodafone - How do I reset the password on my router/Vodafone hub?
- [Ofcom - UK home broadband performance reports](https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/multi-sector-research/infrastructure-research/uk-home-broadband-performance)
## Quotations
> the simplest reliable way I know of to avoid it is to have a dedicated 2.4GHz network
>, Community member (GivEnergy Community Forum) (https://community-beta.givenergy.cloud/t/data-not-working-since-switching-to-vodafone/2619)
> In the router's settings there will be an option to turn off the 5Ghz - do that temporarily so the SSID is only on 2.4 then connect the cameras.
>, Community member (PistonHeads UK) (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=95&t=2014248)
## Frequently asked questions
### how do I connect my GivEnergy dongle to Vodafone router
The GivEnergy Wi-Fi Dongle only supports 2.4 GHz and cannot connect to Vodafone's dual-band network. Log into your router at 192.168.1.1, temporarily disable the 5 GHz band in wireless settings, then connect your dongle to the 2.4 GHz network. Once connected, you can re-enable 5 GHz.
### why won't my smart home devices connect to Vodafone router
Vodafone routers use band steering by default, which merges 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under one SSID and may push 2.4 GHz-only devices onto 5 GHz where they cannot connect. Devices like ESP sensors and TP-Link Tapo plugs need a dedicated 2.4 GHz network to work reliably.
### can I split 2.4ghz and 5ghz on Vodafone router
Vodafone routers do not provide a straightforward option to create separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks by default. The simplest workaround is to temporarily turn off 5 GHz in the router settings, connect your 2.4 GHz device, then re-enable 5 GHz afterwards.
### Vodafone router 2.4ghz devices keep disconnecting
Multiple 2.4 GHz SSIDs on a Vodafone router can cause reconnection issues after reboots, as reported by users with 4 ESP devices failing to reconnect to SSID #2. Create only one 2.4 GHz network and avoid splitting bands into multiple named networks.
### how long do 2.4ghz devices stay connected to Vodafone
Users have reported ESP devices reliably connected to Vodafone routers on 2.4 GHz for up to 18 months when properly configured, compared to 2 years on SKY routers. Reliability depends on having a stable, dedicated 2.4 GHz network without band steering interference.
## Sources
1. [Vodafone Router 2.4 GHz Settings - SNBForums](https://www.snbforums.com/threads/vodafone-router-2-4-ghz-settings.95928/) (www.snbforums.com)
2. [Data not working since switching to Vodafone - GivEnergy Hybrid Inverters - GivEnergy Community Forum](https://community-beta.givenergy.cloud/t/data-not-working-since-switching-to-vodafone/2619) (community-beta.givenergy.cloud)
3. [Vodafone pro broadband, splitting ssid - Page 1 - Computers, Gadgets & Stuff - PistonHeads UK](https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=95&t=2014248) (www.pistonheads.com)