Devices NEVER connect to nodes

[Outsideman]

I cannot get ANY of my devices to connect to my AiMesh nodes via wireless connection.

I have a GT-AXE11000 set to “router mode” and connected via cat6 to a FiOS modem. I also have 2 ZenWiFi ET8s configured as AiMesh nodes for the network created by the GT-AXE11000. I’m using the 6ghz channel as a dedicated backhaul.

No matter where a device is located NOTHING will connect to the nodes via WiFi. I have used the “optimization,” button, I have updated all firmware, I have had devices forget and rejoin the network, I have even tried binding devices to specific nodes, I still have ZERO wireless devices connected to nodes and everything connecting to the primary router. Devices connected to nodes via cat6 are able to access the internet/network just fine.

I understand that factors other than distance can determine which AP is providing the strongest signal - that is NOT the issue here. Literally nothing, no matter how poor of a connection the device has to the main router, will connect to a node via WiFi. Zero clients at all times.

At my wits end. Any ideas?

[Saltgrass]

A couple of things you might try is to first, raise the disconnect signal level which may be around -70 dBm.  You might try raising that to something like -50 dBm to see if you can get the primary router to turn loose of the client sooner so it can pick up a mesh node.  Give the client some time to get picked up, that doesn't always happen immediately.

At the bottom of that same page there may be a transmit power setting, which may also allow the client to disconnect when it gets further from the main router.

This is from an GT-BE98 Pro.

[Outsideman]

Sorry for the delay and thanks for the response. Gave this a try over the weekend and unfortunately didn’t fix the issue. Still only able to connect to nodes via wired connection. Everything else connects to the primary router only.

[Saltgrass]

I just saw a FAQ which states the IoT networks will not use mesh nodes.  If you are using that type of network, then this may be relevant.

FAQ

1. Why Guest network cannot sync and work in AiMesh node?

• Guest network broadcast from AiMesh router only currently, it is not available in AiMesh node.
• There won’t be any guest network option from the AiMesh node(s).

2. Why can’t I setup Guest network/Wireless time schedule under AiMesh node?

• All router settings can only be done under the AiMesh router, not from AiMesh nodes.

[AiMesh] How to setup AiMesh system (ASUS Router App - iOS)? | Official Support | ASUS USA

[Outsideman]

Interesting - I don’t have a guest network enabled, but this definitely feels relevant. It’s the only reference I’ve seen to “node blindness” as an expected behavior. Maybe I’ll try creating and removing a guest network to see if that randomly shakes something loose.

[jzchen]

Try to get a WiFi analyzer app and have a look around to see if that gives a clue.

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