Problem Overview
During initial setup, users may find that smart home devices (such as smart plugs, cameras, or bulbs) fail to connect to a Nighthawk Dual Band Wi-Fi 7 Router.
Why This Happens
Most smart devices only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Modern Nighthawk routers use Smart Connect, which combines 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz into a single SSID. This can confuse older or limited IoT devices during pairing.
How to Resolve the Issue
Temporarily Disable Smart Connect
Separate the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks during setup.
Connect Smart Devices to 2.4 GHz Only
Complete the pairing process using the 2.4 GHz SSID.
Re-enable Smart Connect (Optional)
Once devices are connected, Smart Connect can be turned back on.
Check WPA3 Settings
Some older devices do not support WPA3 encryption. Switch to WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode if needed.
Conclusion
This issue is caused by compatibility limitations of smart devices, not by the router itself. A small adjustment during setup usually resolves the problem.
