# Learn About Wifi Pods ## Bring on the wifi bars What are Panoramic Wifi Pods? Panoramic Wifi Pods pair with your Gateway to create a mesh network, extending coverage into hard-to-reach areas and helping reduce dead zones. They don't boost your internet speed, but they do strengthen your connection, so you can better enjoy the speeds you're already paying for. If your signal is strong throughout your home, you may not need them. But if some rooms struggle to stay connected, pods can help. - **Peak coverage** - Pods constantly adapt to your home network to give you the best possible wifi experience. - **A reliable connection** - Pods provide a consistent signal for all your connected devices, even as you move around the house. --- Manage Wifi with the Panoramic Wifi App Put your network in your hands Download the Panoramic Wifi app to set up your pods, view connected devices, manage network settings and pause your wifi for family time. [Learn more](https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/learn/panoramic-wifi-app.html) [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cox-panoramic-wifi/id1419778819) [Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cox.panowifi&hl=en_US) --- Installing and Activating Wifi Pods Get connected in minutes Follow these steps below and you'll be up and running in no time. For more of a detailed step-by-step process, read this [support article](https://www.cox.com/residential/support/setting-up-panoramic-wifi-pods.html). 1. Open the Panoramic Wifi app and tap the **Account** icon. Under **Devices**, select **Activate Panoramic Wifi Pods** to start setup. 2. On the **Pod selection** screen, choose the one-port or two-port icon based on your device. When you see "*Say Hello to Your New Panoramic Wifi Pods!*", tap **Get Started**. 3. Plug your first Pod into the bottom socket of an outlet, about one room (20–30 feet) away from your Panoramic Wifi Gateway. 4. Follow the app steps. If first-gen Pods are on the account, remove them first. You can reinstall them after wifi optimization (see [article](https://www.cox.com/residential/support/reinstalling-first-generation-pods-after-activating-pods-20.html) for details). 5. Once connected, tap **Finish Setup**. If adding more Pods, follow the prompts and place each Pod evenly throughout your home for balanced coverage. 6. Go to the **Remember These Tips** screen, tap **All Pods Ready to Go!** To name your Pods, select **Name Your Pods** in the app, stand near the Pod and tap its icon to assign a name. Repeat for each Pod. *Note: Pods can be named in any order.* 7. On the **Your Pods Are Ready!** screen, tap **Finish Setup**. You'll see a confirmation that your Pods are now active. To return to the dashboard, tap **Back to Overview**. A notification will confirm your Gateway and Pods are online. The Pod light will stop flashing once activation is complete. **Quick note:** Pods use the first 24-72 hours after activation to learn and optimize your in-home wifi network. --- Tips for Setting Up Your Pods How to get the most from your pods If you're getting a weak wifi signal in certain areas of your home, a pod can help. Most homes only need one. Here are some quick placement tips: - Place the pod at least one room away from your Gateway - Use an open outlet, not blocked by furniture - Space pods evenly from the Gateway and each other --- ## Panoramic Wifi Pods FAQs #### General ### How do I install and activate my pods? When you open the app, you'll see easy-to-follow instructions on how to activate your pods. If the app isn't working, you may need to update your operating system. Heads up: Make sure your pods are plugged into active outlets. Don't connect your pods directly to your Panoramic Wifi Gateway using the Ethernet port on the bottom of the pod. The pods connect wirelessly to the Gateway and won't activate if one is connected directly. ### Can I have a Cox technician come and install the pods for me? Not at this time, but take it from us, they're easy to install. ### Can I use my pods if my Gateway is in Bridge Mode? No. Panoramic Wifi features, including pods, are only available on a rented Panoramic Wifi Gateway that isn't in Bridge Mode. ### Can pods be placed outside? No, they can't. To get wifi outside, place one of your pods inside, closest to the area outside where you want wifi. ### Is there anything else I need to use Panoramic Wifi Pods? To activate and use your pods, make sure your Panoramic Wifi Gateway isn't in Bridge Mode and you've enabled these settings: - A password to join your wifi network (your wifi Security Mode setting needs to be password protected, not Open). - One wifi network name and password. (you can't have a separate wifi network name and password for your 2.4 and 5 GHz networks.) - An enabled and broadcasting wifi network (your wifi network can't be disabled through the Gateway's Admin Tool (10.0.0.1)). If any of these settings aren't enabled when you activate your pods, you may be asked to change them. Once you've activated your pods, advanced settings like Wifi Mode, Channel and Channel Width will be managed automatically to provide the best coverage. #### Using ### Do I need to manually connect my devices to each pod? No. Once devices join your home wifi network, they'll automatically connect to the best wifi access point, whether that's your Gateway or pods. You can easily see what devices are connected to your Gateway or pods on the Panoramic Wifi app. Just scroll to Network and choose Gateway or a pod. ### Why do I no longer see the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio band names of my network? Pods only work if you have one wifi network name and password. Your network still has both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, but now your Gateway will choose the best connection for your devices at any given time. Remember, you may need to reconnect devices to your wifi name and password if they were previously connected to a name designated for a single radio band. ### How can I tell if my pods are working? Check your pods' status in the Network section of your Panoramic Wifi app. Pods that have a green status are online and working. Pods that are marked as offline will have some troubleshooting steps you can follow. ### If I swap out my Panoramic Wifi Gateway for a new Panoramic Wifi Gateway, do I need to reactivate my pods? No, you shouldn't have to reactivate your pods. Your pods should automatically reconnect to your new Gateway once it's activated and online. Make sure you keep your same settings if you're asked during the activation process. ### What do I need to do to get my pods to work if I move and transfer my Cox Internet service to a new address? After activating your Panoramic Wifi Gateway at your new address, you may need to reactivate your pods. If your pods don't show up in the Panoramic Wifi app after your Gateway's been activated, you'll need to contact us and request that the pods be removed from your old account. An agent will then contact you within a few days when your pods can be reactivated at the new address using your Panoramic Wifi app. #### Troubleshooting ### Why did some of my devices lose connection to my home wifi network when I activated my pods? You may have had a separate wifi network name and password for your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. For pods to work, each of your network names and passwords need to be the same, so all your devices can connect to the network providing the best wifi signal at any given time. If your network names and passwords were different when you activated your pods, you should have been notified. The wifi network name and password previously used for the 2.4 GHz wifi network should now be the wifi network name and password used for all your devices, unless you changed it. Make sure all your devices are connected using the current wifi name and password for your home network. ### What can I do if all my pods are online, but I'm still having wifi issues? If you're getting wifi coverage in areas of your home where there was once no or limited connection and none of the pods are showing as offline, then the pods are doing their job. If you're having issues with specific functions like streaming video, try one of these: - Connect your device to your pod or Gateway with an Ethernet cable - Move Pods closer to the Gateway or another pod - Add more pods - Disconnect the device from your wifi and then reconnect ### My device is right next to a pod. Why is it connecting to a different pod in another room? In a wifi mesh network, the best connection for a device may not be the closest. Pods talk to each other and the Gateway to track the number of connected devices, their location and the type of wifi connection that each device needs. This makes sure your device gets the best signal. ### I didn't activate all of the pods that came in the set. Is there a way I can remove the Pods from the Panoramic Wifi app so they don't show as offline? From the Panoramic Wifi app, go to Network and select Edit next to the pod you want to remove, then select Remove Pod. ### How can I fix an offline pod? If a pod is offline, it will be marked in the Network section of the Panoramic Wifi app. To troubleshoot, choose the pod from the list, then select Help Me Fix It for tips on how to get the pod online or boost its connection. Keep in mind that while troubleshooting, it may take up to two minutes for the pod to update in the Panoramic Wifi app. #### Speeds ### What affects wifi speeds when using pods? Pods need to connect to the Gateway and, depending on where they are, they may "hop" through other pods to get there. The number of "hops" the pod needs to make to the Gateway will affect the speed. There are a few other things that affect your speed, like your connection type (Ethernet vs. wifi), the number of devices you're using, the age of the device, site traffic and other techy-sounding network factors. --- Related Internet Topics - [Panoramic Wifi](https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/wifi.html) - [Panoramic Wifi Gateway](https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/learn/panoramic-wifi-gateway.html) - [Panoramic Wifi app](https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/learn/panoramic-wifi-app.html) - [Advanced Security](https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/learn/advanced-security.html) - [In-Home Wifi Hotspots](https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/learn/in-home-wifi-hotspots.html) Looking for more? - **[Activating your pods](https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/learn/panoramic-wifi-app.html)** - Install and activate your Panoramic Wifi Pods with the app. - **[Maximize your internet speeds](https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/learn/maximizing-speed.html)** - Discover easy ways to get the most from your speeds every day. - **[Add Panoramic Wifi Pods](https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/panoramic-whole-house-wifi/pods.html)** - Surf, stream and share wherever you want at home with our wifi extenders. --- [Internet service details](https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/learn/wifi-pods.html#internetServiceDetailModal). All services and plans subject to [Cox's Residential Customer Term Agreement](https://www.cox.com/aboutus/policies/customer-service-agreement.html) (including mandatory arbitration provisions), [Acceptable Use Policy](https://www.cox.com/aboutus/policies/acceptable-use-policy.html) (including Cox's right to terminate service for abuse of network), and other [policies](https://www.cox.com/aboutus/policies/customer-service-agreement.html). See [Annual Notice Information](https://www.cox.com/aboutus/policies/annual-privacy-notice.html) for related information and your privacy rights as a Cox customer. For all Cox Communications policies regarding our services and business practices visit [www.cox.com/aboutus/policies.html](http://www.cox.com/aboutus/policies.html). All Cox Internet plans include 1.25 TB (1280 GB) per month of data usage. Unlimited and 500 GB Additional Data Plans can be added for an additional monthly charge. For data usage in excess of plan, 50 GB blocks of data will be automatically added for $10 each (max overage charge of $100 per month). Unused data does not roll over. See Speeds and Data Plans Information for more details on internet service and data plans. See cox.com/datausage for more details on data usage. Prices, and/or when applicable, term agreements, may differ from those presented here as a result of customer's existing account features, such as pricing, bundles, term agreements, or service address. Pricing, packages, and policies are subject to change. Other restrictions may apply.