How Do I Disable Dual-Band WIFI On a Qolsys IQ Panel 4?

You can disable dual-band WIFI on a Qolsys IQ Panel 4 by going to advanced WIFI settings and choosing either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WIFI. This is helpful if the router uses band steering, which can cause alarm systems to disconnect randomly. If your panel has trouble staying connected, try this.

Band steering is one of those features intended to make your life easier, but that can sometimes make it more difficult. When it's enabled within router settings it can seamlessly switch most devices between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, depending on which network the router feels will provide the best connection. Sometimes, alarm panels don't switch seamlessly, though. When that happens, they drop the WIFI connection.

Band steering is most helpful for devices that move around within the location. Your smartphone, tablet, gaming system, and other portable devices may use band steering with great success. However, your alarm panel is generally not a portable device. For this reason, band steering is, at best unhelpful, and at worst, causes a complete disconnection.

When deciding which WIFI band is best for your system it helps to understand the difference between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The 2.4 GHz band provides slightly slower WIFI speed, but better coverage. This is particularly true when the signal has to pass through walls and other solid objects. The 5 GHz band is faster but has much poorer penetration capability and a shorter overall range.

In the past, we've recommended to users that they disable band steering on their router when a problem with the alarm panel staying connected to WIFI crops up. This solves the issue at the alarm panel but also takes band steering away from other devices that may benefit from it. But, the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 offers a way to turn off band steering only for the alarm panel, leaving the rest of the network unaffected.

Disable the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 Dual-Band Capability:

1. Enter WIFI settings. From the main screen of the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 tap the menu bar. This is the small gray bar just above the time and date at the top of the screen. Next, tap Settings > Advanced Settings > Enter the Installer, Dealer, or Master Code (1111, 2222, 1234, respectively, by default) > WIFI. Make sure WIFI is enabled. There should be a green check mark at the top right for "Activate WIFI".
2. Enter Advanced WIFI Settings. In the lower right, you'll see a gear icon and "Advanced WIFI Settings". Tap this option.
3. Choose a WIFI band. Tap the section "WIFI Advance Configuration Band Steering". In this section you have three options:
   • DualBand - This allows the panel to utilize Band Steering when offered by the router. This is the default setting.
   • 5GHz - Selecting this option will restrict the panel so that it can only recognize 5GHz networks. Select this option if the panel has a clear line of sight to the router or access point.
   • 2.4GHz - Selecting this option will restrict the panel so that it can only recognize 2.4 GHz networks. Select this option if the panel does not have a clear line of sight to the router or access point.
4. Connect to WIFI. If you haven't yet connected to WIFI, you can do so now. A list of available networks should populate on the screen. Choose your WIFI network's SSID and enter the proper password when prompted. The panel will connect to the network, and "Connected" will be displayed under your network's SSID.
5. Exit to the Home screen. Tap the house icon at the bottom of the screen to return to the panel's home screen.