Changing the Band Steering options on the Linksys Max-Stream Tri-Band Routers

Band Steering assigns wireless devices to the Wi-Fi band that will provide them with the best performance.  This feature balances your Wi-Fi devices across all three bands reducing co-channel interference and increasing the available bandwidth for dual-band clients.  It is recommended to use the default All band steering option, however if you need to make any changes to the Wi-Fi settings, this article will guide you on what changes you can configure on your Linksys Max-Stream Tri-Band Routers (EA8300 and EA8250).

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi

 
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Step 1:
Access your router's web-based setup page.  For instructions, click here.
 
Step 2:
Click Wi-Fi Settings.
 
Select the Band Steering setting for your Wi-Fi.  The recommended and default setting is All band steering.  It combines the same Wi-Fi name for all three bands.  Here are the Band Steering settings on the router:
 
  • All band steering – By default All band steering is enabled on the router.  All three bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz1 and 5 GHz2) are combined and only one Wi-Fi name is seen.
  • 5 GHz band steering – Select this option if you want to create unique names between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.  However, this option will disable Band Steering on the 2.4 GHz band only.  Band Steering will only occur on the 5 GHz band (between 5 GHz1 and 5 GHz2 bands). 
  • Off – This option disables Band Steering for all bands.  This will also allow you to create separate, unique Wi-Fi names and settings for all three bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz1 and 5 GHz2).  
 
Step 4:
To save any changes, click Ok or Apply.
 
Linksys app
 
Step 1: 
On your smartphone or tablet, open the Linksys User-added image app and then tap Log in.

Step 2:
Enter your Linksys cloud account credentials.  Tap Log in.  For local access, tap Log in with Router Password. 
 
Step 3:
Tap Wi-Fi Network on the Dashboard to open the Wi-Fi Settings screen.
NOTE:  You can also tap the Navigation Menu User-added image icon and then tap Wi-Fi Settings.
 
Step 4:
Tap the arrow for Band steering and then change your settings accordingly.  The Linksys app has the same Band Steering settings as the web-based setup page settings in Step 3.
 
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Step 5:
Tap Save to apply your changes.
 
Advanced Wi-Fi Settings
 
The available advanced settings will depend on the Band Steering option you have set on the Linksys app.
  • If you have All band steering selected:
  • You can only change the Security Type; all other Wi-Fi settings are on Auto which are required for All band steering.
  • You can turn OFF/ON Broadcast SSID.
  • You can Turn off Wi-Fi, which will turn off ALL of the Wi-Fi radios.
  • If you have 5 GHz band steering selected:
  • 2.4 GHz Advanced Wi-Fi settings – You can change all the Wi-Fi settings, Broadcast SSID, and you have an option to turn OFF the 2.4 GHz radio.
  • 5 GHz1 + 5 GHz2 Advanced Wi-Fi settings – You can only change the Security Type, Broadcast SSID, and the 5 GHz radio.  All other options will be on Auto since Band Steering is enabled on the 5 GHz band.
  • If you have Off selected:
  • You can change all the Wi-Fi settings of the three individual bands.  You can also turn OFF each individual radio (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz1 or 5 GHz2).
 
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5 GHz Advanced Wi-Fi Settings

 
NOTE:  Band Steering is not supported in Wireless Bridge mode and Wireless Repeater mode.

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