How to Configure the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Bands on an Edimax Router
A dual-band Edimax router can broadcast two wireless networks at the same time: 2.4 GHz for broader coverage and 5 GHz for faster local connections. Choosing the right settings helps phones, smart-home equipment, laptops, streaming devices and gaming consoles connect more reliably around an Australian home.
The two bands behave differently because they use separate radio frequencies. The 2.4 GHz signal generally travels further through walls and floors, while 5 GHz usually provides higher speeds with less congestion over shorter distances. Some Edimax models show both bands under one wireless name, while others allow separate names and passwords.
Configuration is completed through the Edimax setup page, usually after connecting to the router by Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Depending on the model, the administration address may be an Edimax web address or a private IP such as 192.168.2.1. The exact menu names can vary between older N-series routers, newer AC models and range extenders.
Australian homes often have mixed requirements. A compact Melbourne apartment may have many nearby networks competing on 2.4 GHz, while a Brisbane house with a garage or outdoor entertaining area may need the longer reach of that band. Homes using an NBN modem-router in bridge or access-point mode should also avoid creating conflicting wireless settings.
Understand What Each Wireless Band Does
The 2.4 GHz band offers better range and penetration through common building materials. It is useful for devices positioned at the edge of the home, including security cameras, smart plugs, older printers and internet-of-things equipment. Its coverage can extend more consistently through brick walls than 5 GHz, although actual performance depends on the router’s position and the building layout.
Its weakness is congestion. Bluetooth accessories, wireless keyboards, cordless equipment and many neighbouring networks share parts of the same radio space. In a densely populated Sydney or Melbourne apartment block, dozens of nearby access points may appear during a scan. The 2.4 GHz band also has fewer practical non-overlapping channels, so interference can reduce speed even when the internet connection supplied through the NBN is fast.
The 5 GHz band usually delivers better throughput and lower local interference. It is well suited to 4K streaming, large downloads, video calls and gaming when the device is in the same room or only a short distance away. Newer Edimax routers may also support wider 5 GHz channel widths, allowing compatible devices to transfer data more quickly.
Range drops more noticeably when 5 GHz passes through several walls. A television in a distant bedroom may therefore perform better on 2.4 GHz, while a laptop beside the router can make better use of 5 GHz. The best setup is based on the location and capability of each device rather than treating one band as universally superior.
Prepare The Edimax Router For Configuration
Before changing settings, connect a computer or phone to the Edimax router. An Ethernet cable is preferable because it keeps the administration session active if the wireless network restarts. If a cable is unavailable, connect to the existing Edimax Wi-Fi network and keep the device close to the router during the changes.
Open a browser and enter the router’s setup address in the address bar, not into a search engine. Many Edimax devices use 192.168.2.1, although the label on the router, supplied manual or current network details should be treated as the authority. Sign in with the administrator credentials. If the router was supplied by an internet provider, its login details may differ from the factory defaults.
Check whether the Edimax is operating as a router, access point or wireless extender. In access-point mode, another device such as an NBN gateway performs routing and DHCP, while the Edimax supplies Wi-Fi. In extender mode, some wireless options may be inherited from the main network rather than controlled independently.
If the login has been forgotten, resetting should be treated as a last resort because it can remove the internet, wireless and mode settings. The instructions for resetting without losing settings explain the precautions to take before using the reset control. Record the current configuration wherever possible before making major changes.
Configure The 2.4 GHz Wireless Network
In the wireless or basic settings menu, select the 2.4 GHz section. Give the network a clear SSID, such as HomeNet-2G, if you want to distinguish it from the faster band. Avoid including your surname, street number or other personal information in the network name. A separate name makes it easier to force a smart device onto 2.4 GHz during installation.
Use WPA2-Personal with AES or WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode when the Edimax firmware offers it and all important devices support it. Avoid WEP and older WPA-TKIP options because they are insecure and can restrict modern wireless speeds. Choose a long password containing several words and numbers, then apply the settings.
For channel selection, start with Auto and test the result. If the network is unstable, manually try channel 1, 6 or 11, which are the usual non-overlapping choices in the 2.4 GHz range. In Australia, channel availability and permitted power are governed by local radio rules, so the router should remain on its Australian or Australia-compatible regulatory setting.
Set channel width to 20 MHz in a crowded area. Although 40 MHz can advertise a higher theoretical rate, it consumes more spectrum and may cause disruption for nearby networks. A 20 MHz channel is often the sensible choice in an apartment, townhouse or busy suburban street. Save the changes and allow the router time to restart its wireless radio.
Useful 2.4 GHz Settings To Check
- Use a distinct SSID when older or smart-home devices struggle with band steering.
- Select WPA2-AES or a compatible WPA2/WPA3 security mode.
- Prefer channel 1, 6 or 11 if Auto produces repeated dropouts.
- Choose 20 MHz width where nearby networks are numerous.
- Keep legacy compatibility enabled only when an older device genuinely needs it.
Configure The 5 GHz Wireless Network
Open the separate 5 GHz wireless settings page. Use a second SSID such as HomeNet-5G if you want to choose the band manually. The name “5G” in a Wi-Fi label refers to 5 GHz radio, not a mobile 5G service. Keeping the names distinct can make troubleshooting easier, particularly when a device repeatedly connects to the weaker band.
Choose WPA2-AES or WPA2/WPA3 mixed security, then apply a password. You may use the same password on both bands for convenience, provided the SSIDs are different. A common password reduces confusion for household members, while separate passwords can be useful if you need to control which devices use the faster network.
Channel width can usually be set to 20, 40 or 80 MHz. An 80 MHz setting can improve speed at short range, but it is more sensitive to interference and may be unsuitable in a crowded environment. Start with Auto or 40 MHz, then test 80 MHz only if nearby networks are limited and the client devices support it.
Some Edimax models offer DFS channels on 5 GHz. These can provide additional space, but the router must listen for radar signals and may change channel automatically. During that process, devices can briefly disconnect. For dependable home use, a standard non-DFS channel is often preferable, especially when uninterrupted work-from-home calls are important.
Practical 5 GHz Checks
- Place high-bandwidth devices within a room or two of the Edimax router.
- Try 40 MHz before moving to 80 MHz channel width.
- Use a standard channel if DFS changes cause unexpected disconnections.
- Keep firmware current so compatibility and security fixes are available.
- Test speeds beside the router and at the location where the device is used.
Choose Between Shared And Separate Network Names
Some Edimax interfaces provide Smart Connect or band steering. This combines 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under one SSID and allows the router to decide which band a client should use. It creates a simpler experience because phones and laptops see one network, and users do not have to choose a band manually.
Band steering is convenient when most devices are modern and the router handles the decisions well. It can, however, complicate setup for smart bulbs, printers and older equipment that only supports 2.4 GHz. If a device cannot complete pairing, temporarily disable Smart Connect or create separate SSIDs so the device can be directed to the required band.
Separate names also help identify coverage problems. If a laptop connects to HomeNet-5G beside the router but loses signal in a back room, switching to HomeNet-2G may restore stability. This is especially useful in a larger Perth home, a two-storey property in Canberra or a house where the router is installed at one end near the NBN connection box.
Do not assume that changing the SSID alone will improve performance. Router placement has a significant effect. Keep the Edimax in an open, elevated position away from metal cabinets, televisions, microwave ovens and thick masonry. If the distant area still has poor coverage, an Edimax extender or a wired access point may be more effective than increasing wireless power.
Match Devices To The Right Band
Use 2.4 GHz for devices that need reach, low data rates or broad compatibility. Smart plugs, sensors and some cameras may work more reliably there. Many of these products require the phone used for setup to be connected to 2.4 GHz, so a separate SSID can prevent the setup application from selecting the wrong network.
Use 5 GHz for devices that transfer substantial data or need a responsive connection. Modern phones, tablets, streaming boxes, work laptops and game consoles generally benefit when they are close enough to maintain a strong signal. A console connected by Ethernet remains preferable for the lowest possible variation, but 5 GHz can work well when cabling is impractical.
After saving both networks, test the connection from several places rather than relying on the signal icon. Run a speed test beside the router, in the main living area and in the rooms where important devices operate. Compare stability, latency and download performance; a high headline speed is less useful if the connection drops during a Teams meeting or streamed programme.
If an extender is installed, give it a sensible placement between the Edimax router and the weak-coverage area. It needs a strong connection to the main router before it can retransmit a useful signal. WPS may simplify pairing, while browser-based installation gives more control over the extended SSID, password and operating mode.
Compare Recommended Band Settings
The following settings provide a practical starting point for a typical Australian home. They are not fixed rules: local interference, building materials, router firmware and client hardware can produce different results.
| Setting | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Main advantage | Longer range and wider compatibility | Higher speed and lower congestion |
| Suitable devices | Smart-home products, distant cameras, older equipment | Laptops, streaming devices, phones and consoles |
| Suggested channel width | 20 MHz | Auto or 40 MHz; try 80 MHz near the router |
| Channel approach | Auto, or 1, 6 or 11 after testing | Auto or a stable non-DFS channel |
| Typical coverage | Better through several walls | Best over shorter indoor distances |
| Separate SSID benefit | Helps force compatible devices onto 2.4 GHz | Helps select faster local connections |
| Common limitation | Congestion and lower maximum throughput | Reduced range and possible DFS interruptions |
After configuration, reconnect each important device and remove obsolete saved network profiles if it keeps choosing the wrong SSID. On phones and computers, forgetting the old network before reconnecting can clear an incorrect password or cached security setting. Smart-home products may need to be reset through their own application rather than through the router.
Review the Edimax administration page after testing. Confirm that both radios are enabled, the security mode is correct and the router remains in the intended operating mode. If internet access fails after changing the device from router to access point, check the Ethernet connection and confirm that only the primary gateway is providing DHCP.
For a stable final setup, record the SSIDs, wireless password, administration password and selected operating mode in a secure password manager. Then place the router where its signal can travel through the main living areas instead of leaving it inside a cupboard beside the NBN termination equipment. The concrete next step is to open the Edimax wireless settings, create distinct 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz names, and test both from the rooms where your devices are used.