Why Do Duplicate SSIDs Appear on the Client Devices?

Zyxel_HsinBo

Client devices display the same SSID as two separate entries, even though the SSID is configured as a single network. Below, we explain the reasoning and suggest recommendations:

Reason for Duplicate SSIDs:

To comply with standard regulations and chipset requirements for Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 Access Points, the device will automatically adjust security modes if the configured securit code does not meet the chipset/standard requirement across different bands.

For example, on a Wi-Fi 7 AP (firmware after 7.20), even if the SSID is configured as WPA2, the firmware auto-adjusts the 5 GHz band (operating in 802.11be) to WPA3-Mixed. Meanwhile, the 2.4 GHz band (by-default operating in 802.11ax) retains the original WPA2-PSK.

This discrepancy in security settings across bands forces client devices to interpret them as separate networks, resulting in two duplicate entries on the client's Wi-Fi list (e.g., one for each band), which depends on client operation system behavior.

For more technical details regarding Zyxel's MLO security enforcement starting from firmware v7.20, please refer to the Zyxel Community Announcement.