Why does the camera discard the 5 Ghz band?

[gmac71624_538988406644942]

I have a WiFi-6 network and the Reolink Argus 3 Pro, which is very close to the main router, receives strong 5 Ghz signal. The camera logs on to the network, but discards the 5 Ghz band and only uses 2.4 Ghz. When I turn off the 2.4 Ghz band, the camera switches to 5 Ghz, having no choice.
I guess this behavior should be fixed by the developers. Other devices, such as Amazon Echo Show, correctly choose the 5 Ghz band.
In the meantime, is there a way to force the camera to use the 5 Ghz band?

[email_525317533946102]

If the names and passwords of the two bands are the same, change the network name or the password for one band so the the camera is forced to connect to the only one it has credentials for. If your router allows creation of multiple networks, you could make another network with a special name just for the camera.

[gmac71624_538988406644942]

If I created a new 5Ghz-only network just for this camera, I couldn't access/manage the camera from the network I'm usually logged on to, which would be inconvenient. As for using two different passwords in the same network, my router is an AVM Fritz!Box (2022 model) and it's not possible. Also, using multiple passwords is a potential security flaw, because you're allowing a hypothetical attacker to find whichever password they consider easier — or, equivalently, their chances of finding a correct combination increase.

In any case, the camera is advertised as dual-band, so it should be able to switch bands, choosing the best speed and bandwidth. Since this doesn't happen, and it's not even possible to manually switch bands, @Reolink-Fiona Reolink should release a firmware/software fix as soon as possible.

[Crimp On_62210811129]

Several of the current "Mesh" WiFi systems allow only one SSID for both the 2.4G and 5G WiFi channels. (Netgear Orbi for one.)
That makes it impossible for the user to create a separate 5G band for the security camera.

I have had a couple of different RLC WiFi models that both automatically selected the strongest WiFi band.

The bandwidth needs for a 2K camera are fairly modest. Does the camera continue to perform when connected at 2.4G?

[user_623346741346376_623346741346376]

@crimp-on_62210811129
Correct, for example the Google Mesh routers have no configuration option to force 5 GHz. So, the camera connects uses the slow 2.4 GHz band which also is subject to interference from Microwave ovens. The software should be updated to force 5 GHz band.
Thank you.

[joseph_1979]

@user_623346741346376_623346741346376 If you have a good 5G Hz coverage the camera shall stay on this band even if switched off and on. Perhaps you need to have the camera forgetting the 2.4G network.

[Crimp On_62210811129]

"If I created a new 5Ghz-only network just for this camera, I couldn't access/manage the camera from the network I'm usually logged on to, which would be inconvenient. "

Not entirely. On WiFi systems that allow the user to create different WiFi names (SSIDs) for the 2.4G and 5G bands, there is nothing to stop the user from using the same password for both SSIDs. If they are both on the same WiFi system, then they will be in the same 'network' and a user logged into one band will have access to devices on the other band.

I also agree completely that "most of the time" a device that is capable of connecting at both 2.4G and 5G should choose the 5G band because (a) speeds are higher, and (b) interference is usually lower. In most cases, the 2.4G WiFi signal will be greater than the 5G WiFi signal, which has never stopped my RLC cameras from connecting at 5G.

[user_623346741346376_623346741346376]

@crimp-on_62210811129
That option does not exist for the popular Google Mesh routers, at least the older generation.

[Aymen_647614801764433]

Same behavior for me, I have 3 Argus 3 pro connecting to 2.4 ghz wifi. When I switch off this wifi, they go to the 5ghz. When the 2.4 ghz wifi is back, after some time the cameras switch back to the 2.4 wifi even if the signal of the 5ghz wifi is good.
Have you some plan to fix this behavior please?

[joseph_1979]

@aymen_647614801764433 Because it is based on the signal strength. I sort it out by having distinct SSID for 2.4G and 5G and I have set it to the 5G SSID.

[m schleemann_394877180510344]

My RLC-410W all connect to 5GHz when they have the choice between 2,4 and 5G. So it may be something related to the battery powered cameras in order to save energy. It would be great though if this were user configurable ...

[LH52f_586093100580917]

Same behavior for my cams (Argus 3 Pro (2022) and 2k PT (2023)). No 5 Ghz connection possible if 2.4 Ghz Wifi is available.
Agree, that user should have the possibility to manage this by their own. Should be fixed quickly with next firmware.

Since we're talking about UpToDate cam models and probably many users can't completely do without the 2.4 Ghz Wifi, there should be a corresponding option for the future in the Reolink software. Almost all drivers for WiFi network cards have the option "preferred band" to avoid this behavior. Technically, this should be feasible for Reolink in the interest of the customers.

Greetings from Germany....

[user_727238878437606_727238878437606]

I have the same "problem" with RLC-410W camera. It connects to 2.4Ghz, though 5Ghz is available and strong. Other Reolink cameras (two Duo 2 and one TrackMix) connect to 5G for some reason. Other cameras also work better and more reliable than RLC-410W. Would be good to have possibility to select which network cameras are connecting to.

[joseph_1979]

@user_727238878437606_727238878437606 It connects to the strongest signal level. New cameras have the option to force the camera to connect to the 5G Hz band as the preferred band,

[user_727238878437606_727238878437606]

Thank you for a quick reply. On which cameras is the option to force 5G ? I have two Duo 2, TrackMix and RLC-410W all bought within a month. I don't find on any of them that option..... ?? Others go automatically to 5G, but the RLC-410W does not and it is the one I have problems with.

[joseph_1979]

@user_727238878437606_727238878437606 None of them has the option to force WIFI to 5G band. I think Reolink started to implement this on their latest models such as E1 OD Pro.

It normally connects to the one you have connected the camera to. Is the 5G available at the location where you shall be installing the cameras? Recall that 2.4G waves have shorter wavelength and so longer range. I do have WIFI cams connected to 2.4G and have no issue at all.

I do suggest you to email Reolink support and ask if they are capable to extend this to your models.