How to change the SSID or name of the bands in your Wi-Fi router.
Printers struggle when dual-band or multi-band Wi-Fi routers use the same SSID (network name) across different frequencies because of how older printer hardware and band-steering logic operate.
2.4 GHz Limitation: Most wireless printers only contain a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radio and do not support 5 GHz or 6 GHz bands.
Band-Steering & Confusion: Modern routers use a feature called band-steering to push smartphones, laptops, and tablets onto the faster 5 GHz band while sharing the exact same SSID name. When you try to set up or communicate with the printer from your phone or computer, your device might be sitting on 5 GHz while the printer is forced onto 2.4 GHz.
Cross-Band Isolation: While some routers bridge traffic seamlessly between bands, many consumer routers or security settings fail to route discovery protocols (like AirPrint, mDNS, or Bonjour) properly when a device on 5 GHz tries to "talk" to a printer on 2.4 GHz under a unified name.
Setup App Failures: During initial setup, companion phone apps often fail because the phone is connected to 5 GHz and cannot "see" or hand off credentials to a 2.4 GHz-only printer broadcasting under the identical name.
How to Fix It
Split the SSIDs: Log into your router’s admin page and give your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands separate names (for example, HomeWiFi-2.4G and HomeWiFi-5G). Avoid characters from this set: i l L 1 a o O 0 D 8 B 5 S, as they are easily mixed up depending on the font used. (Note: Changing your network name will disconnect other smart devices in your home, which will need to be reconnected to the new name.)
When to Switch Your Phone to 2.4 GHz:
If your bands are already split: You must connect your phone or tablet to the 2.4G network name during setup. Because the HP App pulls the exact network name your phone is currently using, staying on 5G will tell the printer to look for a network it cannot see.
If you use a single network name: Modern HP printers that use Bluetooth for setup do not require you to switch your phone to 2.4 GHz—Bluetooth will pass the credentials directly. However, older HP printers without Bluetooth may still require temporarily pausing 5 GHz or splitting the bands.
Disable Band-Steering / Fast Roaming: Turn off features like smart-connect, band-steering, or 802.11r (fast roaming) in your router settings if you prefer keeping a single network name but need legacy devices to stop dropping out.
Note for Mesh Wi-Fi & Newer ISP Routers: Systems like Google Nest, Eero, or newer Xfinity/Spectrum gateways often do not allow permanent band splitting. Check your router's mobile app for a "Temporarily Pause 5 GHz" option for smart-home setup, or use a USB cable/Ethernet connection if supported.
Usually your ISP can help you with this. They may do it for you but afterwards you will need to log into the modem or router to set the password to a value that only you know. Here is a list of the most common modem or routers used and where to get help
AVM Fritz!Box (Very Common in Germany, Austria, Netherlands): Read the AVM Fritz!Box Support Guide on Changing the Wi-Fi Network Name to update your settings by typing http://fritz.box into your browser.
Orange (France, Spain, Poland, Belgium): Use the Orange Livebox Configuration Guide to adjust settings for Livebox 4, 5, or 6 via 192.168.1.1 or the My Orange app.
Deutsche Telekom (Germany): Review the Telekom Speedport Help Page to access the browser configuration dashboard (http://speedport.ip) for the Speedport Smart series.
Vodafone (Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland): Check the Vodafone Station Support Portal for instructions on altering the SSID on the Vodafone Station or EasyBox interfaces (typically 192.168.0.1).
Movistar / Telefónica (Spain): Refer to the Movistar Smart Wi-Fi Instructions to modify the HGU (Home Gateway Unit) parameters using 192.168.1.1 or their dedicated Smart Wi-Fi mobile application.
Spectrum / Charter (US): Review the Spectrum Wi-Fi Network Information Page to update the SSID on your Advanced Wi-Fi router using the My Spectrum app.
AT&T (US): Refer to the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateways Support Article for step-by-step instructions on accessing your BGW or Pace gateway interface via 192.168.1.254 or the Smart Home Manager app.
Verizon Fios (US): Read the Verizon Fios Router Settings Guide to change settings on the Fios Router or Fios Home Gateway using 192.168.1.1 or the My Fios app.
Rogers (Canada): Use the Rogers Ignite Wi-Fi Help Portal to adjust settings on your Ignite Wi-Fi Gateway using the Ignite HomeConnect app.
Bell (Canada): Review the Bell Home Hub Support Page to access the Giga Hub or Home Hub dashboard by navigating to 192.168.2.1 in your browser.
Claro (Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Peru): Access your router's web dashboard by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your browser using the admin credentials printed on the sticker underneath the gateway. Depending on the country, basic Wi-Fi name and password updates can also be managed through the Mi Claro or Minha Claro mobile apps.
Movistar (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador): Log into the router interface via 192.168.1.1 (often branded as a Mitrastar or Askey Home Gateway Unit) or use the Smart WiFi Movistar mobile app to rename or separate your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
Vivo (Brazil): Vivo Fibra gateways (commonly Mitrastar or Askey units) are managed by navigating to 192.168.15.1 in your web browser (with /padrao appended for advanced settings) or by using the App Vivo / Smart Wi-Fi Vivo mobile tools.
Entel (Chile, Peru): Open a web browser and enter 192.168.8.1 or 192.168.1.1 to access the gateway configuration page, then navigate to the WLAN or Basic WLAN Settings menu to modify your network names.
Personal / Flow (Argentina) & Tigo (Colombia, Paraguay, Bolivia): Both providers commonly supply cable or fiber gateways (such as Sagemcom, Arris, or Technicolor) accessible via 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, or through the Mi Personal Flow and Mi Tigo apps.
JioFiber / JioAirFiber: Read the JioFiber Wi-Fi SSID & Password FAQ to manage your gateway through the MyJio or JioHome mobile apps. Note that newer Jio firmware uses dynamic band-switching and may require enabling IoT Onboarding Mode in the app to temporarily force a 2.4 GHz connection for smart devices.
Airtel Xstream Fiber: While basic name changes are available in the Airtel Thanks app, full SSID customization (including splitting the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands or removing the default Airtel_ prefix) typically requires logging into the router's web dashboard at 192.168.1.1.
BSNL Bharat Fiber (FTTH): BSNL uses third-party ONT routers (such as Netlink, Syrotech, or Digisol) managed directly via their browser interface at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.100.1 using the admin credentials printed on the sticker underneath the unit. Navigate to the Network or WLAN settings to configure separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz SSIDs.
ACT Fibernet: Refer to the ACT Fibernet Home Wi-Fi Setup Guide to update your network name via the ACT Fibernet mobile app or by logging into your router's admin portal (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). Unlike Jio and Airtel, ACT commonly supplies retail dual-band routers (such as TP-Link or Nokia) that allow standard band-splitting.
The official support pages for changing the SSID on the most widely used internet gateways are listed above. Feel free to reply and add additional devices or countries.
