Confusion configuring a 2.4 GHz only SSID (for legacy IoT devices)

[PhotoJoseph]

Now that I got my Google Nest Hub on the wifi network (details here) I'm trying to get some cheap 2.4 GHz-only "smart plugs" to work. Their host app Smart Life just can't find the plugs, and they have all kinds of warnings that they don't work on 5 GHz. Even though my SSID is set to both, I can't get them to be found. So I figured I'd set up a 2.4 GHz only hidden network to try to make a connection.

However I can't figure out how to set up a SSID with just 2.4 GHz. Here's where I'm stuck.

Under Wireless > Configure > Radio Settings > RF Profiles I can choose both or a just 5 or 2.4 GHz. This is under the Per AP selection:

However I don't want my entire AP to be 2.4 GHz; just one of the SSIDs. However when I select that, there's no 5 vs 2.4 option:

It says that it'll follow the band selection on the Access Control page. OK, so when visit that, the options are dual, 5 only, or "band steering":

But "band steering" isn't what I want! I want 2.4 only.

Does this mean that you can't do a 2.4 GHz only band as an SSID? Would the solution be to put the entire network on 2.4 temporarily, get the devices set up, then go back to Dual Band and see if the devices connect? Come to think of it, that's what I'll try in the meantime…

thanks!
-Joseph 

[kYutobi · Accepted solution]

I remember having to call Meraki support and asking them to enable that. 

[PhotoJoseph]

OK, I've reached out. I'll report back what they say.

Incidentally I did try setting the entire network to 2.4 GHz and that didn't get these stupid devices to be seen either. Maybe it's time to retire them. Ugh. 

[PhotoJoseph]

Thanks @kYutobi (and others who said the same thing) — curiously, I had to ask for it, and they granted it. Strange thing to have to ask for, but OK!

Sadly I still can't get my legacy devices on the network. I'm giving up. Time to upgrade I guess. 

[Kamome]

How about change minimum bitrate to assure full compatibility? If that darn smart plug is too cheap or old, it could be use old internals.

[rhbirkelund]

2.4 GHz only is not a standard available feature, but you can just request it via Meraki Support, and they will enable it.

Honestly, I doubt there is actually a live person activating it, when it comes to 2.4 GHz. Probably just a bot...