IoT smartlife plugs going offline on Sky Max SR213 router

[triptogenetica]

So I use a mix of TPlink Kasa/Tapo, and some Antela Smartlife plugs. Then I share these all to Google home. The Smartlife ones (Antela are basically Tuya rebrands, reliable, sold through Amazon) all show up fine at first, but then they all fall off the network after a day and appear "offline" to Google Home. The weird thing is, they sometimes show up in the Smartlife app itself, but not in Google home. (This may be because Smartlife can find them using Bluetooth, directly from my phone, as they're offline to Google). Anyway, why do I think this is the Sky max hub SR213? Because if I add a 2.4Ghz access point to my network (connected by ethernet cable), then connect them all to that instead of the Sky router directly - they all stay online. It's looking like SR213 has problems keeping IoT devices online and I am not the only thread on here. I wonder if the issue is WPA3-T implementation, so will try downgrading that to WPA2 next. Really disappointed with this locked-down router which locks down basic functions - e.g. I can't even specify my own DNS! What is Sky going to do to improve this device? Open up the settings properly?

[JimM1]

@triptogenetica You want control that you need then get your own third part router, you can use your own 2.4Ghz extender that will work just as well! WPA2 would be the way to go also stability of the wireless may improve, for sure none off your Iot devices are wifi 6 in the slightest! Tapo P110 work really good, never had a problem and have 8 connected over various mesh positions!

[triptogenetica]

Thanks, yes, I like the Tapo and Kasa ones too. 

But the Smartlife ones work fine with other routers, just not this Sky one!

Will report back after maybe 24-48hr at WPA2, in case that's the answer.

[triptogenetica · Accepted solution]

Yep, 48hr later, and it seems downgrading to WPA2 has solved fhe problem, at least so far (and this is by far the longest they've stayed online). 

Will report back if it fails, but at least for me, this seems to be the fix.  

[JimM1]

@triptogenetica Please get the downgrading out off your head, there is nothing wrong with a WPA2-PSK secure wireless wifi network on a home environment, you can thank the stupid fruit flavoured company for all the confusion!

You want WPA3 then every device that does not have it will required to be changed out in your home, no other way to do it!