Trouble Connecting: Intel Core i7 Laptop Can't Detect T-Mobile WiFi Network

If your laptop is older, it might have trouble with the default network.  I have a 12-year-old (!) desktop with a Core i7.  It is so old it would never see a 5 GHz network.  I was able to connect it to the gateway’s default network, but the data speed was painfully slow.  I created a dedicated 2.4 GHz network with WPA/WPA2 security, which has worked just fine for my ancient computer.  It’s been 10 months, and I haven’t had to mess with it since.

My setup, which I recommend for everyone, is to leave the default gateway settings alone (you can rename the network and change the password.)  Use it for any and all devices that will connect to it and work well.  Create a second network which is 2.4 GHz and WPA/WPA2 security.  Use this for any devices that don’t like the default network.  After getting everything to work, make this second network Hidden - because it is definitely less secure than the default.  You shouldn’t need a dedicated 5 GHz network, because devices that are new enough to work on 5 GHz should be fine on the default network, which will select the best band.