In most cases, having a single SSID (Service Set Identifier) that combines all available Wi-Fi bands on your router is the way to go. But sometimes, it’s better to create multiple SSIDs for one reason or another. I’ve used two SSIDs on my network for years, and I’m not going back. Here’s why you should consider doing the same.
Connect specific devices to specific Wi-Fi bands
Keep the 5GHz and 6GHz bands uncongested for devices that need that extra bandwidth
The primary reason I separated the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands into two SSIDs was that I had issues while streaming games from my desktop to my handheld PCs. Constant stuttering, packet loss that manifested as annoying stream freezes, and latency spikes had been par for the course. At first, I thought it was my Steam Deck LCD, since its Wi-Fi chip is known to cause all kinds of Wi-Fi issues, but after upgrading to an ASUS ROG Ally and having the same problems, I realized the issue was elsewhere.
After doing some research, I decided to create two SSIDs: one for 2.4GHz and one for 5GHz. And what do you know, issues with local game streaming all but disappeared. Sure, I still have to deal with the occasional stutter or lag spike, but 99% of the time, the stream is as fluid and responsive as playing the game directly on my desktop. I was playing GTA IV at the time and couldn’t believe how much of an improvement separating my Wi-Fi bands into different SSIDs made.
Years and multiple routers later, I still run dedicated 2.4GHz and 5GHz SSIDs. I keep phones, tablets, eReaders, and smart devices on the slower 2.4GHz network while reserving the faster 5GHz band for my handheld PCs, which need the extra bandwidth not only for game streaming but also for downloading games since I benchmark games on PC handhelds for TechPowerUp and require stable, fast downloads.
As for my partner’s PC, she’s fine keeping it on 2.4GHz most of the time, only switching to 5GHz when downloading large files, which happens once in a blue moon. I do the same with my Mac mini. It’s usually connected to the 2.4GHz SSID, which is more than enough since I only use it for work. But when I’m downloading system updates or large files, I temporarily switch it to 5GHz.
Quiz
Weird WiFi and networking quirks
Trivia challenge
From bizarre range tricks to hidden protocol secrets — how well do you really know your network?
WiFiProtocolsHardwareHistoryFun Facts
In 2012, a small village in Wales was mysteriously losing its broadband every morning at the same time. What was the cause?
Correct! An elderly villager’s old television set was emitting a powerful electrical signal every morning when he turned it on, wiping out broadband for the entire village. Engineers used a spectrum analyzer to track down the source after years of complaints. It’s a perfect example of how everyday electronics can wreak havoc on networking signals.
Not quite! The culprit was an old television set that an elderly resident switched on every morning, sending out a burst of electrical interference that killed broadband for the whole village. Engineers used specialist equipment to track it down after years of frustrating outages.
Why does placing your WiFi router near a fish tank often degrade wireless signal quality?
Correct! Water is a surprisingly effective absorber of 2.4GHz radio waves, which is the same frequency used by most WiFi routers. This is actually the same principle microwave ovens use to heat food — the frequency is tuned to excite water molecules. A large fish tank can create a significant dead zone behind it for WiFi signals.
Not quite! The answer is water absorption. Water molecules absorb 2.4GHz radio waves very efficiently — it’s the same reason microwave ovens cook food at that frequency. A large fish tank can significantly dampen your WiFi signal, creating dead zones on the other side of it.
The term ‘WiFi’ is often believed to stand for ‘Wireless Fidelity’, but what is the actual origin of the name?
Correct! ‘WiFi’ was coined by a branding consultancy called Interbrand in 1999, hired by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance. It was designed purely as a marketable, memorable name — not an acronym. The ‘Wireless Fidelity’ backronym was actually invented afterward to give the name a plausible meaning, and even the Wi-Fi Alliance has admitted the term has no real meaning.
Not quite! WiFi was invented by a branding company called Interbrand as a catchy, memorable marketing term with no underlying meaning. The popular explanation that it stands for ‘Wireless Fidelity’ was actually created after the fact as a retronym, and even the Wi-Fi Alliance has acknowledged the name doesn’t technically stand for anything.
What is the maximum theoretical speed of the original 802.11 WiFi standard released in 1997?
Correct! The original 802.11 standard from 1997 topped out at just 2 Mbps — barely enough to stream a low-quality video today. It feels almost laughably slow compared to modern WiFi 6E speeds that can exceed 9 Gbps in ideal conditions. The jump in wireless speeds over just 25 years is one of the most dramatic improvements in consumer technology history.
Not quite! The original 802.11 standard could only manage 2 Mbps — painfully slow by today’s standards. The 11 Mbps speed came with 802.11b in 1999, which was a big deal at the time. Modern WiFi standards have improved speeds by over 4,000 times compared to that humble beginning.
Which common household appliance is most notorious for interfering with 2.4GHz WiFi networks?
Correct! Microwave ovens operate at approximately 2.45GHz, sitting almost exactly on top of the 2.4GHz WiFi band. When running, a microwave leaks enough radio frequency energy to noticeably disrupt nearby WiFi connections. This is one of the main reasons the 5GHz WiFi band became popular — it completely avoids this kitchen interference problem.
Not quite! Microwave ovens are the biggest culprit. They operate at around 2.45GHz, almost identical to the 2.4GHz WiFi frequency band. Even a well-shielded microwave leaks enough signal to cause noticeable interference. Switching to the 5GHz band on your router completely sidesteps this issue.
What unusual material was found to dramatically boost WiFi signal strength in experiments by researchers at Dartmouth College?
Correct! Researchers at Dartmouth College discovered that custom-shaped 3D-printed plastic reflectors, coated in a thin layer of metal, could dramatically focus and redirect WiFi signals throughout a space. The reflectors could boost signal strength in desired areas by up to 55% while simultaneously reducing signal in areas where security or privacy was needed. It’s a remarkably cheap solution using off-the-shelf printing technology.
Not quite! Dartmouth College researchers found that 3D-printed plastic reflectors with a metallic coating could focus WiFi signals like a lens, improving signal strength by up to 55% in targeted areas. The approach also has a useful privacy angle — you can intentionally block signal from going outside your walls without expensive equipment.
What does the ‘ping’ command measure, and where does the name actually come from?
Correct! Ping measures the round-trip time for a data packet to travel to a host and back, measured in milliseconds. The name is inspired by sonar technology used in submarines — when sonar emits a pulse and ‘hears’ it bounce back, operators call that a ping. The networking tool was written by Mike Muuss in 1983, and he explicitly confirmed the sonar analogy was intentional.
Not quite! Ping measures round-trip latency — how long it takes for a packet to go to a destination and come back. The name comes from submarine sonar, where a sound pulse sent out and detected returning is called a ‘ping.’ Creator Mike Muuss confirmed this analogy in 1983 when he wrote the tool, though the ‘Packet InterNet Groper’ backronym was invented later.
What phenomenon causes WiFi speeds to mysteriously slow down when many neighbors are using their networks simultaneously, even if you’re not sharing bandwidth with them?
Correct! WiFi operates on shared radio frequency channels, and nearby routers broadcasting on the same channel compete for airtime even between separate networks. This is called co-channel interference, and it causes routers to ‘take turns’ transmitting more often, reducing effective throughput. Using a WiFi analyzer app to find the least congested channel — or switching to the less crowded 5GHz or 6GHz bands — can significantly improve speeds in dense neighborhoods.
Not quite! The culprit is channel congestion. WiFi channels are shared radio spectrum, and when many nearby networks use the same channel, they all have to take turns broadcasting — slowing everyone down even though no one is stealing your bandwidth. A WiFi analyzer can help you find a quieter channel, and moving to 5GHz or 6GHz usually helps escape the congestion.
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Older devices might have issues connecting to WPA2/WPA3 networks
And VPN software may not play nice with multi-band Wi-Fi networks
My niche use case isn’t the only reason to run multiple SSIDs. For instance, older laptops and gaming consoles sometimes don’t play nice with WPA2/WPA3 protocols, so it can make sense to create a separate SSID for them using an older security protocol such as WPA or even WEP. Just keep in mind that WEP is extremely insecure and should only be used as a last resort for devices that won’t connect any other way.
Many devices also prefer the slower 2.4GHz band, which is usually more congested, especially if you live in an urban area, resulting in a spotty signal that’s anything but stable. Creating a 5GHz SSID is a good way to force devices that can benefit from the faster 5GHz band to use it. Similarly, you can run a separate 2.4GHz network while combining the 5GHz and 6GHz bands under a single SSID.
On top of that, VPNs often drop their connection on devices that constantly jump between different Wi-Fi bands, which can create a ton of headaches, especially if you work from home on a company laptop. Creating a single-band SSID can help solve VPN-related issues.
- Brand
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TP-Link
- Wi-Fi Bands
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Tri-Band
If you want a great Wi-Fi 6e router but don’t want to spend a whole lot of money, check out this one from TP-Link.
Many IoT devices have issues with 5GHz and 6GHz networks
2.4GHz is the way to go for most smart home devices
Lucas Gouveia / Justin Duino / How-To Geek | Michael Traitov / Shutterstock
Before I segmented my Wi-Fi bands, I went through hell trying to connect my first smart device—a simple RGB smart bulb—to my home Wi-Fi. It took me multiple hours spread across two days before I finally got the thing working. A quick bit of research showed that many IoT devices don’t play nice with SSIDs that combine multiple Wi-Fi bands, but I didn’t want to create multiple SSIDs just for one lightbulb.
After separating my Wi-Fi bands, I’ve connected four smart bulbs and multiple other smart devices (air purifiers and a few smart light switches) and, surprise, surprise, connecting them to the 2.4GHz SSID has always been an absolute breeze.
If you’re also running a single SSID and having issues with IoT devices, separating the 2.4GHz band into its own SSID can make a world of difference. Alternatively, you can create a 2.4GHz guest network reserved for your smart devices. Or, better yet, switch to devices with Thread or Zigbee support, which is an even better solution if your budget allows it.
- Colors
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Multicolor
- Connectivity
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Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
For inexpensive but reliable color changing bulbs, it’s tough to beat Govee. The bulbs are bright and colorful, and the Govee app has a ton of fun patterns for every mood and season.
Keep your guests on a guest network
Safety first
Another reason to have multiple SSIDs is to set up a guest network that’s separated from your main Wi-Fi network—if your router supports it, of course. Even if you know the people using your Wi-Fi, you don’t know their devices. They might have malware installed without realizing it or be compromised in some other way, which could create a mess and isn’t great from a privacy standpoint.
By setting up a guest network, you can keep your own devices safe while still giving people visiting your home a way to access the internet without having to share your main Wi-Fi password.
On top of that, having a guest network can be handy when you don’t want to connect certain devices you own to your main Wi-Fi network. If you’ve got a testbed PC you use for experimentation and fun projects that could compromise your main network security, connect it to the guest network. Bought a used device and aren’t sure it’s been properly wiped before turning it on for the first time? It’s better to connect it to the guest network first before making sure it’s safe to use on your main Wi-Fi.
Don’t go overboard
While running multiple SSIDs offers many benefits, you shouldn’t set up too many of them. Too many SSIDs can lead to congestion and performance issues, especially if you’re using a less capable router. That said, you should be fine with four or five SSIDs even if you own a budget Wi-Fi 5 router.
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Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
