Overview

This FAQ addresses the most common technical questions about configuring schedule-based Wi-Fi auto off (e.g., overnight) on a home ONT. Whether you are an integrator, ISP support engineer, or advanced home user, the answers below cover pre-sales compatibility checks, CLI configuration steps, time synchronization, and post-sales troubleshooting for radio scheduling features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which home ONT models support schedule-based Wi-Fi auto off?

Schedule-based Wi-Fi auto off is supported on most modern home ONTs that run firmware with a radio scheduling or Wi-Fi timer feature, typically models with 802.11ac/ax radios and a CLI or web GUI. If your ONT does not expose a scheduling option, check for a firmware upgrade or confirm with the vendor whether the radio driver supports time-based enable/disable. Entry-level ONTs with only basic bridging may lack this feature entirely.

Q2: What is the exact CLI command to schedule Wi-Fi auto off overnight on a home ONT?

The typical CLI command sequence is: wifi schedule add name overnight start 23:00 end 07:00 days mon,tue,wed,thu,fri radio 2g,5g, followed by wifi schedule enable overnight. Exact syntax varies by vendor, so consult your ONT CLI reference. After committing, verify with wifi schedule status to confirm the timer is active.

Q3: How does the ONT keep accurate time for overnight Wi-Fi scheduling?

The ONT relies on NTP or TR-069 time synchronization to maintain accurate scheduling; without it, the auto off window may drift. Configure at least two NTP servers with ntp server pool.ntp.org and confirm the ONT has WAN connectivity. If the ONT loses power, it should re-sync time automatically on boot before applying any schedule.

Q4: Can I schedule Wi-Fi auto off separately for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios?

Yes, most ONTs allow per-radio scheduling so you can turn off only the 5 GHz radio overnight while keeping 2.4 GHz active for IoT devices. Use the radio parameter in the schedule command, for example radio 5g for a single band. Check that your firmware supports independent radio timers, as some older builds only offer an all-radio toggle.

Q5: Why does my ONT Wi-Fi schedule fail to turn the radio back on in the morning?

The most common cause is a time zone mismatch or NTP failure, which prevents the ONT from recognizing the scheduled end time. Verify the ONT time zone with show clock and ensure NTP is reachable. A second cause is a conflicting schedule or manual radio disable that overrides the timer; remove duplicate schedules and avoid manual toggles during the off window.

Q6: Does schedule-based Wi-Fi auto off affect wired LAN, VoIP, or IPTV services on the ONT?

No, schedule-based Wi-Fi auto off only disables the wireless radios and does not interrupt wired Ethernet, VoIP, or IPTV traffic. The ONT routing and bridging functions remain fully operational. However, wireless clients will lose connectivity during the off window, so avoid scheduling during active VoIP-over-Wi-Fi or wireless IPTV usage.

Q7: What throughput and band support should I expect when the Wi-Fi radio is active?

Typical home ONTs deliver up to 1.2 Gbps on 5 GHz (802.11ax) and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, with aggregate wireless throughput often limited by the ONT backplane and WAN uplink. Actual rates depend on client capability, channel width, and interference. Scheduling does not reduce active-session throughput; it only controls when the radios are enabled.

Q8: How do I troubleshoot a schedule that does not save after reboot on my ONT?

If the schedule disappears after reboot, the configuration was not persisted to non-volatile memory; run write memory or save config after creating the schedule. Also confirm the firmware is not in a temporary or factory-default mode. If the issue persists, export the configuration and compare it against a known-good schedule entry to rule out syntax errors.