Why won't my Ohme EV charger join my 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

The short answer

The faster band would never reach outside anyway. Plenty of smart-home kit is deliberately built for the slower, longer-range band only. It isn't broken and it isn't out of date — it just cannot see a 5 GHz-only name.

What's happening underneath

2.4 GHz only on most models. It will not see a Wi-Fi name that is 5 GHz only, and setup fails silently if your phone is on the 5 GHz half of a split network.

Source: Manufacturer documentation

Try these, in this order

• • Stand at the charger with your phone and check how strong the Wi-Fi is there.
• • Move the router towards that side of the house, higher up.
• • Many chargers can use mobile data as a backup — check that it's switched on.
• • A mesh box in the garage or nearest inside wall is the reliable fix.
• • Check the signal where the gadget actually lives, not where you're standing.
• • Move the router off the floor and out of any cupboard before buying anything.
• • Put the gadget and your phone on the same Wi-Fi name.

Setting it up again properly

• • Stand next to your router while you set it up, then move the gadget to where it lives.
• • Put your phone on the 2.4 GHz network name for the setup, or use one name for both bands so the phone can follow.
• • If your router splits bands into two names, turn the 5 GHz one off for five minutes rather than fighting it.
• • Turn mobile data off on your phone during setup — some apps quietly use it and never find the gadget.

When it's worth spending money

One mesh box on the garage side, once you've confirmed the signal there is genuinely weak.