How to Disable Your Wifi on your AT&T Equipment ( 2020 )

This video is a complete walkthrough on disabling the Wifi on your rented AT&T Router in 2020 ( BGW210-700 ). Remember to reboot your AT&T unit after you are done configuring it.
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[@tiffanywhite4076]

OMG, thank YOU!!! Watched only 2 mins of it and got what I needed to connect my smart bulb, couldn't get 5g off to save my life, lol. THANK YOU!!!

[@freiteez]

Been looking for that setting for an hour. I’m so blind I didn’t see advanced. Thank you!

[@wsgkh1032]

This guy is the best. He made it easy to understand and everything worked. Thank you sir!

[@zurholl1]

Great info and instruction. Helped out tremendously.

[@baileyroy69]

Thank you for your help. I needed a refresher to get into my Att system.

[@neilclipperton7673]

Thanks for the video! Very helpful!

[@wscphotographyc.e.o.7677]

This video came in handy. Thanks so much.

[@michaelstephenjackson4612]

Mike is excellent and well spoken.

[@pjm441]

Thank you for the video. Came in very handy trying to get the girlfriends Wopet Christmas present running with the app.

[@fishsjunk]

Great video. Clear instructions and super helpful when you want to rebuild your network. Thanks.

[@i_Hydra]

I could not get 2ghz off to save my life. Thank you so much!

[@vernedudeman]

Master Mu THANK YOU

[@brijgarg]

Thank you for the video instructions, I was able to successfully disabled AT&T WiFi following this video. The reason I wanted to disable was WiFi instability I started to see after I switched from Comcast to AT&T. I thought AT&T WiFi is causing it. I'll watch for the changes in result but for now what I see if Google Wifi Mesh system is actually showing Weak connection now but earlier it was showing better in couple of Google WiFi device among the 4 I have.

[@Swollenhobo]

Did turning off the wifi help with your google mesh system? I am having problem with my system and was wondering if it’s worth it

[@henriquecasagrande5059]

Do you have a video on how to turn off the router function, and allow Google Wifi manage the network. While the ATT equipment is only used as a modem? I have found some older videos on how to do that and it mentions DMZ+. But my ATT equipment is a different model and the menus and setting were different. But the settings you showed on yours match mine exact.

[@aliceokerstrom2047]

Thanks!

[@CaptNemo_]

After I do turn off the Wi-Fi on the modem do I put my new router in AP mode or wireless router mode?

[@rodrobinson6111]

Hey Mike, awesome video. I have a question for you regarding disabling these ghz. I have the pace 5268ac Att modem/router. When I change the 2.4 and 5ghz, I receive this error message. It says, “The custom pass phrase entered is not valid for the selected encryption type. TKIP & AES-CCMP require either 64 hexadecimal characters or an ASCII pass phrase between 8 and 63 alphanumerical characters”. Have u seen this before? I watched your previous video u created in 2019 regarding turning off the ISP and to run your own router. But when I got to disabling the ghz’s, I’m receiving this error message. Any suggestions I will appreciate it. Thanks for the informative videos.

[@rushellecolon61]

How do you turn it back on after turning the wifi operation off

[@satyrangel2730]

very helpful thank you =) Mike want to know can you block other wi-fi device trying to connect to your AT&T (P.C)

[@MikeMu]

Hi! If you turn off the WiFi, they can’t connect through WiFi to your AT&T. Yourself included.

[@lindamachado5687]

I just had at&t fiber installed yesterday with the BGW320. I also have the Orbi RBK 50 system. Will you be doing a video on disabling the wifi on the BGW320 anytime soon? My problem is that I can only get about 25 mbps when outside, but when using the Orbi with Spectrum, I was getting around 230 mbps. Kinda frustrating. Inside the house, speeds are great. Your tutorials are easy to understand for someone like me who is not an expert, but I get by, lol. Thank you.

[@MikeMu]

Hi Linda, I probably won't be switched out to the new one for at least another year. What others with the BGW320 told me though was the interface is the same, so this tutorial should also work on it. Let me know if disabling the wifi helps in your case.

[@lindamachado5687]

@@MikeMu Thank you so much for the quick reply. I will try your tutorial and post back with the results when I’ve done it. My only other issue is that I don’t have a computer anymore, just an iPad.

[@MikeMu]

@@lindamachado5687 Hi Linda, that shouldn't be a problem accessing the controls with an ipad direct.

[@lindamachado5687]

@@MikeMu Hi, Mike! Just wanted to give an update. I logged into my gateway, and all I did was log in to the at&t gateway>home network>wifi>advanced options, and turned off 2.4 & 5.0 wifi radios. Then I rebooted the gateway. When that was done, I went ahead and rebooted the Orbi system. Afterward, I went outside where I was getting little to no coverage with the gateway router turned on and voila! Back to getting about 200mbps instead of 20 or less. Was a very easy thing to do, lol. I thought it would be much more complex. Thank you so much for the tutorial. If I can do it, anyone can! I hope it lasts! 😜 EDIT: I did everything from my iPhone.

[@dwebb1418]

Hey Mike this video was great! Could you do an updated video on AT&T BGW320 Gateway? I'd appreciate it very much I have some questions about it. First one, do you think the NeatGear Orbi Router, the newest model, would be compatible with the BGW320 Gateway?

[@MikeMu]

I can only do it when I have access to one myself. So far everyone claims it’s the same interface so it should still work for that one. And yes the newest models will be compatible with this method.

[@dwebb1418]

@@MikeMu Ok, thanks Mike for the fast reply! Please continue to make videos on AT&T routers. I'm using the fiber optic 1 gig connection and it seems as if I'm calling At&t constantly about my internet connection.

[@jbncnow]

Im trying to set up some 2.4 kz smart plugs but i need to shut off the 5 k because they wont work with 5 k

[@BoredatHomeOfficial]

Did you get it to work? Did you just disable the 5g? I'm having the same problem can't connect my smart switches

[@raydanvers5509]

Hi Mike what lan port firewall should I leave on the at&t router cause I still use most of the lan port I don't want to turn off all the firewall on the at&t router?

[@MikeMu]

Hi Ray, don't disable any of it (leave default) if you are using the LAN ports for devices without their own firewall or some protection. One I leave on is the Reflexive ACL.

[@JohnWilliams-bx2zs]

Do I need to do this if I’m connecting Rock Space mesh system? The user manual does not say to do anything like this or the pass through deal.

[@MikeMu]

Yes, for all routers this is advised. Both the passthrough, which also requires disabling the wifi. Reboot all systems after the settings are saved.

[@RickyG225]

Hi Mike- Is it okay to power/off the BGW210-700 router/modem on a nightly basis when not in use? If so, is this done by simply pulling the power cord from the rear of the unit without harming your connection? Another great pres. Thanks!

[@MikeMu]

Hi Bob, great question. I don't turn my unit off nightly. If you want to though, by all means. Yes, it probably reduces its useful life marginally, but frankly AT&T charges you a monthly fee to use their equipment and will supply you with a new one should it one day not work anymore. Rather than pulling the power cord, it may be better to install a simple switch, timer, or on a power strip (with a switch). One thing you do not want to disconnect nightly, is the ONT (Optical Network Terminal) which the modem/router gets its signal from. Thanks for the comment!

[@RickyG225]

@@MikeMu Great, thanks! I am currently doing this as my router has an on/off switch on the back panel. The power strip method sounds best, which of coarse making sure the ONT is NOT plugged into it. Cheers!

[@metalore99]

@@MikeMu hi quick question maybe you can help , i have heard from people that have disabled wifi and then they claim even with it off that its still sending signals , for there newer router the BGW 320-505 is this true , ?? because i wan the wifi to stay off permanently because I want to use it with an ethernet cable . thanks disable the WiFi on AT&Ts BGW 320-505 Gateway

[@eliasmiranda5637]

Can you show us how to set up orbi wifi mesh to the att fiber modem.

[@MikeMu]

Sure, this video is exactly what you need as that's my setup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYvdZ3hujdCSftU

[@dennisfreudenberger5761]

I just installed Nest Wifi and I have AT&T fiber. Did I understand you to say I don't really have to disable the router function of my AT&T gateway?

[@MikeMu]

Hi Dennis, this is just disabling Wifi. You'll want to follow my other videos on setting up your AT&T appropriately. The current modem router how to is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYvdZ3hujdCSftU Note that you do not have to change your IP addresses if you run you Nest in default mode (90% of the masses do this).

[@josedominguez2706]

After doing these changes, is there any changes needed in the IP Passthrough section?

[@MikeMu]

Yes. But that’s on my other video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYvdZ3hujdCSftU

[@favored777]

if you disable, how do you turn it back on if you can log in or find it?

[@MikeMu]

Either by plugging in your computer direct, or through ATT online, or just hold reset button.

[@06mnze]

i accidentally disconnected my at&t internet box and it said don’t disconnect and it won’t turn on

[@dennisfreudenberger5761]

How do I know if my Nest router is in default mode?

[@MikeMu]

It’s probably already in that mode. If you went into advanced settings and changes all the main configurations with the IP addresses --- well then its no longer in default mode.

[@gabrielgarcia8018]

If I turn off my 5GHz on my att router and leave my 2.4GHz on, could I still get into my router wirelessly to turn the 5GHz back on? I’m setting up some home security cameras and they need 2.4GHz to setup.

[@MikeMu]

Yes

[@Learner1985]

Does putting the BGW210 into IP passthrough mode disable the phone line calling capability?

[@MikeMu]

No.

[@Learner1985]

@@MikeMu would the steps be the same for the U-verse NVG599 model?

[@metalore99]

hi quick question maybe you can help , i have heard from people that have disabled wifi and then they claim even with it off that its still sending signals , for there newer router the BGW 320-505 is this true , ?? because i wan the wifi to stay off permanently because I want to use it with an ethernet cable . thanks disable the WiFi on AT&Ts BGW 320-505 Gateway

[@MikeMu]

For some odd reason the BGW series doesn’t take to the settings all the time. Have to try multiple times and then restart for the settings to take (for some).

[@metalore99]

@@MikeMu thank you for responding . one more quick question . is the ONT safe it sends out a signal doesn't it ?? thank you once again for your help .

[@MikeMu]

You have to trust AT&T on that. Everything comes in and out of that. So…. No choice on this matter.

[@Fros3tedCh33rios]

for some reason everyone is still showing on the AT&T wifi and the some will show on Nighthawk. Please help!!

[@MikeMu]

After you set everything, save. Then reboot the systems.

[@Fros3tedCh33rios]

I did but still the same should I just hard reset and do it over?

[@MikeMu]

Yes. Make sure you had reset the nighthawk too.

[@CosmosXBL]

As soon as I disabled both WiFi bands on the AT&T gateway, my orbi speed reduced drastically. Is this normal?

[@MikeMu]

Shouldn't be related. If it is, thats strange. Are you talking Orbi reported speed or wifi testing?

[@CosmosXBL]

Mike Mu Thanks for the prompt response! Orbi reported speed is 900+ download and upload, but the WiFi is 100 or less.

[@MikeMu]

@@CosmosXBL Just following up on this. Did you reboot both systems? That's usually the last step to configure things properly. I wish the units would automatically tell you that and/or do it for you.

[@CosmosXBL]

Mike Mu Hi Mike. I actually returned the Orbi’s this week and went with the new Eero pro 6. Great speeds over wifi now, 600mbp+.

[@MikeMu]

@@CosmosXBL Nice! Thanks for the update.

[@monroethegreat7539]

I followed all the steps to disable my wifi so it wont interfere with my personal router but i still see the wifi ATT appear on wifi available

[@MikeMu]

Andre, next you have to reboot your AT&T Unit. While you're at it, reboot both of your units (Netgear and AT&T). That should do it.

[@monroethegreat7539]

@@MikeMu Mike i had one more question, Like i mentioned i have a gaming router i use with Att network, When i game online do the speeds come from my personal gaming router or Att modem router?

[@MikeMu]

@@monroethegreat7539 Both. Because you can't get rid of AT&T's equipment, essentially AT&T is the gateway to the internet. Passthrough mode in my other video tutorial is the best you can hope for. If you have very few devices on the network, and connect directly to the AT&T modem router (not via wifi), that's the best possible speed you can get. The problem is often that you have other devices in the network that also want internet, and that's where your router is going to be superior in handling it and shaping the traffic for the most important needs at the time - in your case it may be gaming.

[@monroethegreat7539]

@@MikeMu Mike one more question i have Wan Aggregation on my Router do you think i should enable the Wan aggregation to use with the Att modem router or do you think it will bottom neck my speeds, Also i failed to mention i Have the new bgw320 Att model

[@eternalatake925]

Hello Mike, after turning it off, I’ve had issues figuring out how to turn it back on. How do I turn it back on? It’s not allowing me to connect back. Thanks Mike!

[@MikeMu]

Easiest way is to log into Att.com, go to 'internet' to manage your account. Just turn it on from there. I'd have recorded something if I knew people would want it back on. If thats too complicated or you don't have a login, you can do a hard reset and start over. Just hold the reset in on the back of the AT&T unit for > 10 seconds (I believe). This would be a factor reset to original straight from AT&T settings.

[@eternalatake925]

@@MikeMu I love you man

[@eternalatake925]

@@MikeMu yeah I’d love it if you made a video also from there, where do I go can you make a timeline of events “ex: Here -> Here -> here

[@MikeMu]

Its on my list (of videos to make). Some others have asked.

[@eternalatake925]

@@MikeMu Yeah I’ve looked through your playlist for these videos I haven’t seen a video, can you tell me the title so I can go straight there. Much love my guy ♥️

[@FenoLive]

Bro I got booted and I have at&t can you help please?

[@MikeMu]

What do you mean 'booted.'? Did you try restarting your stuff? (unplug, wait a 10 seconds, plug back in.)

[@fogstorm5531]

Can you turn off just 2.4Ghz and leave on 5Ghz?

[@fogstorm5531]

Also, don’t use a mesh system, use Ubiquiti WiFi access points hooked to a POE switch.

[@MikeMu]

I do not. But I heard that may not work out performance wise. New firmware may resolve this but I have not checked again.

[@steveo321able]

Although I enjoyed the video but I see a lot of these videos and you guys from what I am understanding you leaving us hanging you are showing us how to turn it off but where are your internet coming from Once you turn it off can you do a video on that? Because you are saying when you turn off your Wi-Fi from the router you don't have Wi-Fi anymore please further explain where are your Wi-Fi coming from then?

[@MikeMu]

Hi Dave, I guess it really depends on why you want to turn off the wifi. This is part of a series that I made about using your own router (versus what AT&T rents you) so that you can have the opportunity to get much better wifi speeds/coverage for your needs. The main video is this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYvdZ3hujdCSftU

[@steveo321able]

@@MikeMu thank you for getting back to me ASAP still a little confused about what you're saying if you get a chance explain to me what you connecting to to get the Wi-Fi once you cut the router off?

[@MikeMu]

@@steveo321able I use a Netgear mesh router system. AT&T doesn't currently allow you to use your own router exclusively, but they do allow your own router behind theirs with few restrictions (and that's the main point). The cable modem router wifi combo I demonstrate is with the Arris/Motorola BGW210-700 that AT&T sent me in July 2020, configuring to use with my pre-existing Netgear Orbi set ( jo.my/orbi ).

[@steveo321able]

@@MikeMu wow, thank you for that information and keep up the good work now it's more clear to me what's going on thank you so much for that information and please keep up the good work.👍🏾

[@MikeMu]

@@steveo321able You're welcome! For some, what AT&T provides is enough. But if you have a bigger home, more rooms/walls, more devices, you may find that AT&T's provided equipment isn't enough for your needs. If you search AT&T under my channel, I've answered just about everyone's main questions. Cheers!

[@chinabluewho]

If nothing else works ...Broadband> Configuration> Broadband Source Override is set to Auto.