Hello,
I just purchased a new HP 5102 Smart Tank printer and could not get it connected to my T-Mobile 5g internet gateway. Very frustrating. Is there any sort of network extender or any other method that can rebroadcast the signal in 2g format? Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
Just to clarify.. it wasn’t until I was at the last step of the printer installation that the instructions stated that the printer is 2g only! Go figure.. Much appreciated if you have an answer,
I can help. I’ll make a separate post with instructions that I have saved on my computer.
First, your gateway can and does broadcast a Wi-Fi signal with 2.4 GHz bandwidth. It also broadcasts 5 GHz Wi-Fi bandwidth. That is what your printer can’t use. That is not the same as “5G” home internet - 5G stands for “Fifth generation” and is referring to the cellular signal that the gateway communicates with the tower.
INSTRUCTIONS
Some devices, such as printers, have trouble connecting to the gateway’s default configuration.
You can have several Wi-Fi networks on the gateway. You want to leave the default network alone (2.4 & 5 GHz; WPA2/WPA3 and AES security) and add a second, dedicated 2.4 GHz network. This second network is for devices that can’t connect to the default network.
Add the second network with the + sign at the bottom of the Network tab in the T-Mobile Internet app on your phone. For this new network, set the band to 2.4 GHz and set the WPA version to WPA/WPA2. (The encryption will automatically change to “TKIP & AES”) Try connecting your printer to this second network.
Use the default network for your other devices, as much as possible. Note that WPA/WPA2 (on the second network) is less secure, so I recommend setting this network to be Hidden. You can hide it after you get your devices connected to it.
Here are the T-Mobile support instructions for how to add the second network with the app.
Android How to create additional Wi-Fi networks | T-Mobile Internet app | Android | T-Mobile Support
iOS How to create additional Wi-Fi networks | T-Mobile Internet app | iOS | T-Mobile Support
Main instructions
Help Center | APP Android | T-Mobile Support
Help Center | APP iOS | T-Mobile Support
Thank you both. I was able to add a new network which is now broadcasting a 2.4 signal. Really appreciate you guys!
A BIG thanks from me as well ! Got my HP OfficeJet 8630 working.
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