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Turn off WiFi on T-Mobile Home Gateway


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Is it possible to turn off WiFi on the T-Mobile Home Gateway, I would like to hook my wifi router and avoid having both WiFi active 


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I got my T-Mobile Home Gateway Arcadyan KVD21 and was shocked to learn that there is no admin login possible via the web interface. Luckily I found https://github.com/christopherjnelson/Arcadyan-5G-Web-Admin which you can just run locally and which uses the API (basically like the phone app) to control this gateway but also allows disabling both WiFi channels.

Where can I find some instruction on how to take this git and run it locally?

I connected my Apple AirPort Extreme to the T-Mobile gateway with a long ethernet (in the wall) cable, and that works perfectly. I did NOT turn off the WiFi on the gateway. I connected the AirPort to the gateway with an ethernet cable. Then I reset the AirPort. When it came back up it automatically did the setup to extend. Make sure you name the AirPort network the same name and use the same password as the gateway. No loss of speed, and now I have strong connections throughout my long house. When I’m near the gateway, that is the connection. When I’m near the AirPort, then that is the connection.

Are you still having success with the AirPort and the T-Mobile gateway?  I am debating if I should buy my own router/WiFi so I can use a VPN to change my city location so I can watch my local MLB team.

I got my T-Mobile Home Gateway Arcadyan KVD21 and was shocked to learn that there is no admin login possible via the web interface. Luckily I found https://github.com/christopherjnelson/Arcadyan-5G-Web-Admin which you can just run locally and which uses the API (basically like the phone app) to control this gateway but also allows disabling both WiFi channels.

 

Are you able to turn off both channels?   I can disable only one.  If I try to do a second, it never ‘takes’.   I can do the 2.4g but then the 5.0g won’t disable, and vice versa.  I can never have them both disabled at the same time. 

I got my T-Mobile Home Gateway Arcadyan KVD21 and was shocked to learn that there is no admin login possible via the web interface. Luckily I found https://github.com/christopherjnelson/Arcadyan-5G-Web-Admin which you can just run locally and which uses the API (basically like the phone app) to control this gateway but also allows disabling both WiFi channels.

I didn’t read all the way through this thread. I too have installed another router off of the Arcadyan gateway - so it’s essentially operating as a modem. Which is fine. However, what I haven’t seen is if there’s a reason to turn off the Wi-Fi from the Arcadyan. Does it improve performance (either general throughput or reducing Wi-Fi conflicts, or other)?

I wrote a simple Python script to automate the method described in the NaterTater video, above.

See here:
https://github.com/tnixon/kvd21-TMI-util

Thanks! How do I use this on Mac?

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No. The default WiFi network cannot be deleted. You can hide it, but it still broadcasts. 

@Ellencwebb I am having this same issue! Did you ever figure out what you enter as the username?

This from TMOBILE:   Seems the newest gateway/modem will not allow wifi to be shut off: CRAZY! 

I just had them send me the Nokia to replace the Arcadyan even though it is an older unit.  I’ll see what happens and let everyone know.  

Can I connect a third-party router?

Third party routers can be connected to a T-Mobile Gateway using the ethernet port. You will see a Wi-Fi network broadcast by both the gateway and the third-party router.

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I wrote a simple Python script to automate the method described in the NaterTater video, above.

See here:
https://github.com/tnixon/kvd21-TMI-util

T-Mobile customer service offered to replace my KVD21 gateway with a Nokia gateway… will see if that gets as good of a 5g connection and allows for better ethernet and WiFi control.

Is there a way to unplug some connectors internally?  I have ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 and four mesh 6E nodes.   All hidden ssid.  I do not need the network overlap.

Using the T-Mobile Home Internet 5G Arcadyan KVD21, you can turn off wifi. Only way I know to do this is from using curl.exe, then importing settings from a file you create. I’ve done this via Windows 11 PowerShell. This can be complicated for some folks to do. I’d suggest an Internet search for the exact syntax and such you’d need to figure out. You’ll need to know about tokens, admin, password, network name, etc. to pass with curl.exe to disable. You’ll find sample scripts you can use as templates to help figure out.

Have you actually done that with this model router? 

 

I just did a right now.  Curl commands, you need to grab a token, pull down a config, change the config and curl the config back up.  :)

Use this: 

 

and

https://pastebin.com/N4W3asVL

If you’re comfy with command line, it’s a no brainer.  I have verified with my Unifi AP’s, an iPhone, a Droid, an old MacBookPro Retina and a M1 14” MacBook.  WiFi radios are off!

 

 

This looks like it’s running some customized version of OpenWRT.  As a result people have found some common things that are exposed easily with curl.

Here is a good source on it.  In fact this gentlemen has done some pretty exhaustive testing across all the available cellular home internet services available in the US.

 

Using the T-Mobile Home Internet 5G Arcadyan KVD21, you can turn off wifi. Only way I know to do this is from using curl.exe, then importing settings from a file you create. I’ve done this via Windows 11 PowerShell. This can be complicated for some folks to do. I’d suggest an Internet search for the exact syntax and such you’d need to figure out. You’ll need to know about tokens, admin, password, network name, etc. to pass with curl.exe to disable. You’ll find sample scripts you can use as templates to help figure out.

Have you actually done that with this model router? 

 

I am absolutely livid with this tmo taking away a CRITICAL feature that had been part of the service for quite some time.
I absolutely have to be able to use my mesh system to reach the edges of my property. The wifi in any single router or node has no chance. The wifi in this router is not very good to begin with. 

I spent a week looking through video reviews of this and EVERY SINGLE one pointed out that A) the wifi in the routers as provided is pretty poor (which it is), and B ) no problem you can turn it off and use your already existing far better wifi and mesh systems. 

So I guess this will be going back. I’m not sure why T-Mobile would want to mess with success and make liars out of all the youtubers that evangelized this system for them. 

 





 

Oof. This is disappointing. I was excited to try this out - my ISP has gotten worse and worse. From the research I had done, it looked like it would have been possible to disable wifi on the gateway and just hook up my existing mesh system.

I got the tower today and immediately noticed how limited the options are. I was hoping to come here and find a secret menu like a few other people mentioned.

I know that a lot of the responses to this are “why would you want to disable the wifi?” That’s a good question, so I’ll break it down for myself:

  • I have an existing mesh system that I paid decent money for pretty recently. I’d like to keep that.
  • I have a number of existing wifi devices that I don’t want to program a new network onto. (Yes, I know I could set the new gateway to match the SSID and password, but still.)
  • I have a lot of smart devices on Zigbee, which generally uses the same spectrum as wifi. I just got them to play nice with my mesh network, and I don’t want to be forced to mess with it again. Interference is real!
  • The security/prioritization/device management options for the gateway/router are extremely limited compared to my current system. (Or even the one I had before it.)

Side note - I had read that the gateway would have a battery, allowing me to easily test it in multiple locations. I guess not?

I hope that a firmware update for the gateway could fix a lot of this. The way it stands, though, I’ll have to be blown away by the speeds if I’m gonna keep this service. Has anyone been successful in exchanging the gateway for something with a little better customization?

OMG - OK so that’s pretty pathetic.. I just received my grey GW today and set it up. After a few failed connection attempts through the app, turns out that the app needed an update. 

I am very close to the T-Mob tower -like ½ mile. My connection is excellent with 5 full bars and great 5G speed on my phone. 

So far, I am hitting 340Mbits down and 42Mbits up w ~20ms (or less) ping times. Ethernet connection to GW shows gbit up/down but no noticeable difference in internet speeds or ping. (in a handful of first pass tests). 

WiFi coverage from this box doesn’t seem very good. From my office on the same floor and 100ft away, it drops significantly. 

I have an Asus ROG GT-AXE11000 router so it makes absolutely no sense to use the T-Mo GW as my wi-fi router. 

So I ask WTH?!?!

Why not provide an advanced tab on the T-Mo router to allow some advanced settings -or even- frankly a “hidden” unpublished page that would allow an advanced user -or even a basic user with a mesh wi-fi system to go in and configure additional options such as disabling wifi altogether?? 

Hmm… Quite a fail in my opinion - I am sure this was done primarily to reduce support calls -but to be honest -this will have the opposite effect as to increasing calls by frustrated users who are coming off other providers -especially those with owned cable modems who have their own wifi routers.

If it was a hidden page -this would address the concern about a novice messing up settings while at the same time allowing a more advanced user to configure the things they need (like disabling wifi, setting static IP, changing DHCP scopes, etc..) Sheesh.. Come-on T-mobile -At minimum -let us disable wifi! Please… 

So, I will spend the next few days playing around with things but hoping to minimize wifi interference between the Tmo GW and my personal router. 

If anyone has a simple known “secret menu”, “hack” or other means to disable wi-fi please share it.

Using the T-Mobile Home Internet 5G Arcadyan KVD21, you can turn off wifi. Only way I know to do this is from using curl.exe, then importing settings from a file you create. I’ve done this via Windows 11 PowerShell. This can be complicated for some folks to do. I’d suggest an Internet search for the exact syntax and such you’d need to figure out. You’ll need to know about tokens, admin, password, network name, etc. to pass with curl.exe to disable. You’ll find sample scripts you can use as templates to help figure out.

Has anyone seen major differences in speed of wifi vs. Lan port on the Nokia router?

 

I am trying to connect to my own router.  Before doing so I get 500MBs on wifi on a phone and a laptop wifi. 

 

But when take the lan port to the same laptop Im only getting 150-200MBs.  Have tried two other laptops (all less than 6 mths old) and an intel 1GB desktop device. 

 

I called support and they say its a “known issue” they are working on in the area.  Been the same issue for over 5mths and not something they are working on from the looks of things.

 

I’ve tried both lan ports and several cables and shielded cables too.   Wondering if the device gives priority to wifi over lan?   I haven’t tried disabling Wifi yet as described here but I have less than 5 Wifi devices connected so far and wanted to go wired to several 

 

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Several people have got this figured out for the Nokia 5G21 router. Let me summarize…..

1. disable SSID name and SSID broadcast for SSID1 (2.4ghz)

2. disable SSID name and SSID broadcast for SSID5 (5ghz)

3. disable SSID name and SSID broadcast for and SSID9 (5ghz hi)

no need to disable SSID 2,3,4,6,7,8,10,11,12

This is helpful but with all SSID's disabled the STATISTICS window still shows the 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections disabled, but the STATUS window shows a green online indicator, along with the transmitted power for 2.4GHz, 5GHz Low, & 5GHz high.  The heat generated is one of my main concerns for longevity. Speaking with the tech support was useless.  They just wanted to send another Gateway.  I have software version 1.2103.00.033B.  Setting the power to 12%helps compared to higher power settings, but still generates excessive heat resulting in reduced life of the Gateway device.

Hey, everyone.

I just got my 5G Home Internet today and finished setting it up. I noticed that there is no advance settings on the new UI for 192.168.12.1 .

Is there anyway for get around to it? I need to turn off the gateway wifis so that I can use my regular router wifi instead

 

Behold all my options!

 

Several people have got this figured out. Let me summarize…..

1. disable SSID name and SSID broadcast for SSID1 (2.4ghz)

2. disable SSID name and SSID broadcast for SSID5 (5ghz)

3. disable SSID name and SSID broadcast for and SSID9 (5ghz hi)

no need to disable SSID 2,3,4,6,7,8,10

This isn’t possible (yet?) on the KVD21. It doesn’t have the same administrative capabilities. The entirety of the controls consist of either “Combined” or “Separate Networks”, with no ability to turn any SSIDs off.

Several people have got this figured out for the Nokia 5G21 router. Let me summarize…..

1. disable SSID name and SSID broadcast for SSID1 (2.4ghz)

2. disable SSID name and SSID broadcast for SSID5 (5ghz)

3. disable SSID name and SSID broadcast for and SSID9 (5ghz hi)

no need to disable SSID 2,3,4,6,7,8,10,11,12

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