Troubleshooting Smart Bulbs (Feit and Asus)

Hi friends, hoping you can help me with a problem that's been driving me crazy.

Router: Asus RT-AX88U. Amazon link for reference: ([Link](https://www.amazon.com/RT-AX88U-Dual-Band-Aiprotection-Lifetime-Compatible/dp/B07HM6KJN8/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=RT-AX88U&qid=1651237995&sr=8-3))Feit Smart Bulb: ST2160/RGBW/FIL/AG. Amazon link for reference: ([Link](https://www.amazon.com/Feit-Electric-ST2160-RGBW-FIL/dp/B089CN4WRN/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=feit%2Bfilament%2Bsmart%2Bbulb&qid=1651238059&sprefix=feit%2Bfil%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-2&th=1))Up-to-date iPhone 6s (don't shame me, it works)

I purchased this Feit RBG filament smart bulb, hoping to test it out and buy more for my living room. The rest of the bulbs in my house are LED Filaments so this one is PERFECT and I'm really hoping I can get it to work. However I am having NO LUCK connecting it to my wifi, and I'm hoping you can help. My assumption was the 5GHz vs 2.4GHz issue but I think I've troubleshooted that...

Thinks I have tried:

1. Pairing in normal mode (light flashing quickly, via app) 2. Pairing in AP Mode (light flashing slowly, connect to the smart device's wifi) 3. Going into my router's settings to disable 5GHz band (Advanced Settings > Wireless > Professional > 5GHz Band > Enable Radio > NO) and retried (1) and (2). 4. Walking away from my house until my phone disconnects, then walking back, hopefully ensuring it's on 2.4GHz, and retrying steps (1) and (2) 5. Setting a phone up as a Hotspot with the exact same SSID/Name and password. I SUCCESSFULLY connected the bulb to my hotspot network! But when I turned off my hotspot and turned my normal router back on, it was not tricked into connecting to the real network like it has worked for some people.

Things I DO NOT want to try (and I don't think I should have to):

1. Changing from Smart Connect to two separately named bands. I have a long house and a second mesh router (that I've turned off for these tests) and the benefits of Smart Connect aren't worth adding these smart bulbs. 2. Wireless Mac Filter my phone off the 5GHz band. First of all, this has caused problems in the past and I had to completely reset my entire network and routers. Second, I shouldn't have to since I can straight up disable my 5GHz band

Any thoughts? Anyone else had issues with Asus routers and Smart bulbs? Specifically Feit? I'm out of ideas and about to give the bulb away which is a shame because it's perfect otherwise.

(Also the fact that I can connect it to a much less smart, less expensive router and hotspot is driving me insane)