This is a straight up dummy switch and I have the exact same one, both in 5 port and 8 port configs. All ports are Auto-Negotiation, Auto-MDI/MDIX ports, QoS is marketing fluff as it's an unmanaged switch, and you should be able to plug your router into port 1 and use a device on any of the other 4 ports without issue.
Sounds like his switch is busted then if your works fine.
get refund and replace or upgrade.