I am using a dongle which supports both 2.4ghz and 5ghz signal, however the router by default launches in 5 and then I cannot switch this wirelessly. Is there a different script which will launch the thing in 2.4?
The app allows it via PiFi App > Settings > More Settings > 2.4G Mode (enable this)
Otherwise, it’s configurable by LuCI but I’d check to see if you see this option first
**
If further issues, please provide: Model of Pi (i.e Pi 4/Pi 5) and firmware version too (can see firmware version in PiFi App > more settings > system report)
1 Like
Hi, thanks for the reply. Unfortunately to use the 2.4G system it just prompts me to buy the usb, which I haven’t got, I just flashed the pifi programme on a micro SD card.
the Pi is raspberry pi 4 model B, and the firmware is 0.1.4.1.
How can I configure via LuCI?
many thanks
Ok ended up having too much detail for a forum reply so popped it in article, may be helpful for others also:
Thank you for creating the article, however the manual fix does not work if done wirelessly as implementing the change breaks the connection and then the LuCI device cannot confirm apply so the change never goes through successfully. Applying this change from an ethernet connected device would work but the Pi only has one ethernet port and that’s connecting it to the internet. So i wonder if there is any way of launching the Pi in 2.4ghz? A different start up script or something.
How to apply settings via Ethernet (PiFi):
- Go to PiFi App > Settings > Network Settings > Port (WAN/LAN) and set to LAN
- Set the port to LAN – this allows a direct LAN connection between PiFi and your computer while you configure settings.
- Once finished LuCI config and reconnected on your phone/tablet, switch the port back to WAN and reconnect it to your router to get online
Note:
LuCI doesn’t always show a “Success” message for changes to apply. Even if it doesn’t confirm, the setting may still take effect – especially if a radio (Wi-Fi) drop occurs. If it worked, you’ll typically see the 2.4GHz network again after reconnection. Using Ethernet, as above, avoids that uncertainty. PiFi also supports USB-to-ethernet adapters to add extra ports, but it can do LAN or WAN with just the one and switch between modes.
Perfect, but once one has switched things to LAN how can I switch it back to WAN if i can’t connect on my phone anymore and access the app…
If you configure via LAN, you’ll have LuCI access and can ensure the device is broadcasting an AP (in this case, 2.4GHz).
Once it’s broadcasting, just connect to that 2.4GHz network through your Wi-Fi settings, then switch the mode to LAN in the app.
If it’s not broadcasting, there’s no point switching back to WAN—doing so would leave you with an online but unreachable device. So make sure the AP (2.4GHz) is set up and visible, connect to it, then open the app and select LAN. If you can’t see the PiFi network, you’re not ready to switch it back yet.
**
I realise this config is a pain, it’s firmly manual OpenWrt, that’s why the PiFi dongle exists. Another alternate is using terminal and running these. I wouldn’t set to WAN until you have it broadcasting.
ssh root@192.168.3.14
Enter yes if prompted and enter your admin password (same as LuCI), then run these commands
uci set wireless.radio0.htmode='HT20'
uci set wireless.radio0.band='11g'
uci set wireless.radio0.channel='7'
uci rename wireless.wifinet1='default_radio0'
uci commit wireless
uci set wireless.default_radio0.mode='ap'
uci set wireless.default_radio0.network='lan'
uci set wireless.default_radio0.ssid='PiFi'
uci set wireless.default_radio0.key='Choose your Password'
uci commit wireless
/etc/init.d/network restart