Canon Printer only connects to 2.4Ghz network...

[Andy 308GTB]

My daughter is at university, the available networks are all 5Ghz. Her (brand new) Canon printer can only connect to 2.4Ghz networks.
She will be speaking to the IT Support area to see if they can suggest a solution (i.e. make another network available) but...

Would a dual band wireless signal repeater/extender be able to resolve this?

i.e. use the 5Ghz connection to the University router but use the 2.4Ghz to connect to the printer?

Or is it simply 5Ghz in/out & 2.4Ghz in/out?

Thanks!

[colin79666]

What does she need to connect the printer to exactly? A USB cable should do the job unless you need to print from an iPad.

Even if it supported 5ghz it might not work as it depends how the WiFi is setup.

[Andy 308GTB]

colin79666 said:

What does she need to connect the printer to exactly? A USB cable should do the job unless you need to print from an iPad.

Even if it supported 5ghz it might not work as it depends how the WiFi is setup.

Thanks!
Mac Air thing, so no physical connection (USB etc) possible. The printer does support Bluetooth but not with iOS kit...

So buying a printer that is compatible with 5Ghz may not be the answer. That's useful, I will check this with the support desk if they cannot help with the network.

She's raised a call with the support desk.

[Order66]

Andy 308GTB said:

Would a dual band wireless signal repeater/extender be able to resolve this?

No, they all just repeat on the same frequency.

Do you have an old router kicking around? Set up a small 2.4Ghz network that isn't connected to the internet - would let her print.

[Andy 308GTB]

Order66 said:

Andy 308GTB said:

Would a dual band wireless signal repeater/extender be able to resolve this?

No, they all just repeat on the same frequency.

Do you have an old router kicking around? Set up a small 2.4Ghz network that isn't connected to the internet - would let her print.

That's a good shout.

[Andy 308GTB]

Andy 308GTB said:

Order66 said:

Andy 308GTB said:

Would a dual band wireless signal repeater/extender be able to resolve this?

No, they all just repeat on the same frequency.

Do you have an old router kicking around? Set up a small 2.4Ghz network that isn't connected to the internet - would let her print.

That's a good shout.

This would do it?

[colin79666]

Yeah that would do it probably. Just make sure it has at least wpa (preferably wpa2) and not just wep or no security at all. This is especially important if the uni has computing students on campus Can always turn it off when not needed.

[untakenname]

A USB-C dock (which has normal usb sockets) would be the easiest solution rather than buying a new router solely for connecting up a printer.

[ZesPak]

Andy 308GTB said:

Thanks!
Mac Air thing, so no physical connection (USB etc) possible. The printer does support Bluetooth but not with iOS kit...

So buying a printer that is compatible with 5Ghz may not be the answer. That's useful, I will check this with the support desk if they cannot help with the network.

She's raised a call with the support desk.

1. A mac air isn't iOS, is it?
2. A Mac Air has USB C, get a usb c to usb-a dongle and you're golden...

untakenname said:

A USB-C dock (which has normal usb sockets) would be the easiest solution rather than buying a new router solely for connecting up a printer.

This.

[lonny]

Ask whoever administers the router to switch on the 2.4ghz band if the router has it. I think most 5ghz routers also have the 2.4ghz band for backwards compatibility.

[nyt]

Something like: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Aluminum-Deliver-... should allow the printer to be connected using USB

[Andy 308GTB]

Thanks all, I'll see what the University Technical Teds come back with, I suspect they won't switch on the 2.4Ghz channel but we'll see.

Apologies to all, I didn't know that MacBook Air had USB ports. My daughter didn't know either, I think she was thinking of the big old USB ports not the 'new' smaller USB-C ones. This does change the playing field a bit. I only do Android. My wife, daughter and son all have Apple and I can't bear it

[mmm-five]

Does the new printer not support Apple Airprint?

[Andy 308GTB]

mmm-five said:

Does the new printer not support Apple Airprint?

It's a TS5151 and it is on the list, so I will ask her to try this first.

If the printer and laptop were in front of me, I think this would be a lot easier. But she went off to Uni having done the connection over the network at home... and we both assumed it would be a case or repeating the steps when she got there.

Thanks everyone.