Q: I just installed a new router that was supposed to be much faster, but now some of my older devices aren’t working so well. What’s going on?
A: Upgrading your wireless router is one of the best ways to improve performance — especially if your old unit was four or five years old. But if you’re suddenly having trouble with older devices after the switch, you’re not alone.
While your new routers is likely faster and more secure, some older devices may not known how to talk to it. Think of your new router as a fancy express toll road that only accepts electronic passes. It moves fast, avoids traffic and works great — but some of your older devices only carry coins and don’t know hot get on.
New Router, New Standards
Most new routers come with two major upgrades enabled by default:
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): Provides faster speeds and handles more devices at once, great for busy homes.
- WPA3: A stronger form of wireless security that protects your network from modern threats.
Both are great improvements — if your devices support them. But if you’re still using a trusty old laptop, wireless printers or smart plug that was built before these standards became common, it may not connect at all — or it might connect and behave unpredictably.
Wi-Fi 6: The New Freeway
Think of your Wi-Fi network like a highway. Older routers ran on two- or four-lane roads (Wi-Fi 4 and 5). When too many devices were on at once, things slowed down.
Wi-Fi 6 is like a six-lane superhighway with better traffic control. Newer devices can cruise along without congestion—but older devices may not be built to drive on it. Some can’t even find the on-ramp.
Even though your router is doing exactly what it’s supposed to, some of your older gadgets are simply struggling to keep up.
WPA3: A New Lock on the Door
WPA3 is the latest Wi-Fi security protocol. Think of it as a stronger, smarter lock for your network. It replaces WPA2, which has been around since the early 2000s.
But just like new locks may not work with old keys, devices that don’t support WPA3 might not be able to connect at all—especially if your router is set to WPA3-only mode.
What You Can Do
Luckily, most routers have compatibility settings you can adjust to support both old and new devices:
- Enable WPA2/WPA3 Mixed Mode
This lets older devices connect using WPA2 while still giving newer ones the benefits of WPA3. - Turn On Legacy Wi-Fi Support
Look for settings like “802.11n,” “Wi-Fi 4” or “legacy mode.” This brings back support for older wireless standards.
You’ll usually find these options in your router’s dashboard—either via the manufacturer’s app or by logging in through a web browser (often by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
It will require a username and password that is different from your Wi-Fi password.
If you’re not comfortable making these changes yourself, it’s a good idea to get help from someone with networking experience—just to make sure nothing important gets misconfigured.
The post What to do when your new Wi-Fi router is having compatibility issues appeared first on KTAR.
