How to improve Sky Q connectivity with a Linksys router

WiFi issues with Sky Q? Follow these recommendations to improve and restore your Sky Q setup.

Things you can do on your Linksys router

1. Use WPA2 Personal instead of WPA2/WPA3 Mixed Mode

Many newer Linksys routers default to WPA2™/WPA3™ Mixed Mode for WiFi security. However, older devices may not support WPA3, leading to connectivity issues. Setting the security mode to WPA2 ensures broader device compatibility while maintaining a secure connection.

2. Separate the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz SSIDs

Assigning different SSIDs for your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks helps users easily identify which one to connect. As a best practice, the 5 GHz network is used for media streaming and high-bandwidth activities, while the 2.4 GHz network is ideal for wider coverage and compatibility with older devices.

How to do it:

1. Access the web interface.
2. Click CA on the lower right section of the page.
3. Go to Wi-Fi Settings.
4. Rename the SSID for 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Make sure to hit Apply to save changes.

3. Enable Media Prioritization or Priority

Enabling Media Prioritization optimizes your network by ensuring your Sky Q unit receives sufficient bandwidth for a seamless experience. This helps reduce lag, buffering, and interruptions, especially when streaming high-bandwidth or high-resolution content.

How to do it:

1. Access the web interface.
2. Go to Priority and enable it.
3. Move the Sky Q device under High Priority and click Ok to apply changes. (See example below).

Things you can do on your Sky Q unit

1. Disable Sky Q’s Eco mode

Sky Q Eco mode can sometimes interfere with connectivity. Disabling it ensures a more stable connection.

How to do it:

1. Press the Home button on your Sky Q remote.
2. Navigate to Settings > Preferences.
3. Set Standby Mode to None.

2. Turn off the 2.4 GHz WiFi on the Sky Q mini boxes

Sky Q mini boxes work best when connected via 5 GHz WiFi or ethernet. Disabling the 2.4 GHz can reduce interference and improve performance. This adjustment forces the Sky Q mini boxes to use only the faster 5 GHz WiFi for stability and connectivity.

How to do it:

1. Press the Home button on your Sky Q remote.
2. Go to Settings (but do not confirm yet).
3. Enter 001 on your remote, then press Select to open the hidden Engineer Menu.
4. On the Network page, locate the 2.4GHz wireless, and set it to Off.
5. Press Back or Home to exit the menu.

3. Hardwire your Sky Q system to the Linksys router

Why hardwire your Sky Q system?

1. Stable connection – no interference, no dropouts
2. Better streaming – smoother playback, less buffering
3. Bypasses WPA2/WPA3 issues – no security protocol mismatch

How to do it:

1. Connect an ethernet cable from your Sky Q main box to your Linksys router’s ethernet port. If possible, connect the Sky Q mini boxes via ethernet as well.
2. Press the Home button on your Sky Q remote.
3. Go to Settings (but do not confirm yet).
4. Enter 001 on your remote, then press Select to open the hidden Engineer Menu.
5. On the Network page, locate the 2.4GHz wireless and 5GHz wireless and set both to Off.

6. Go to Ethernet and set it to On.
7. Press Back or Home to exit the menu.