Home Mesh Wi-Fi Setup
Mesh makes Wi-Fi roam like cellular—if you place nodes right. Here’s the quick plan for houses, apartments, and tricky layouts.
Before you start
- Update your primary router/mesh firmware.
- Decide: router mode (mesh does everything) vs AP/bridge mode (ISP router stays main).
- Use the same SSID for all bands (unless you’re debugging).
Placement rules that actually work
Distance
Start with ~1–2 rooms (10–12 m) between nodes. Move until the backhaul shows “good” (-60 dBm or better).
Height & line-of-sight
Put nodes waist-to-shoulder high, away from TVs/mirrors/microwave and large metal.
Stairs & halls
Place nodes near stair landings and corridor intersections; avoid closets.
Ethernet backhaul (best)
If possible, wire nodes via Ethernet for full speed; otherwise use 5/6 GHz backhaul.
Channels & bands
- 2.4 GHz: long range; use channels 1/6/11 only.
- 5 GHz: higher speed; avoid DFS if your devices drop.
- 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E/7): amazing in the same room; short range through walls.
Troubleshooting
Random drops
Update firmware; move nodes; turn off “smart connect” temporarily and test fixed bands.
Slow rooms
Node too far—or too close. Aim for 2–3 bars on the backhaul meter.
Roaming issues
Disable “sticky client” features on old devices; enable fast roaming/802.11r if all devices support it.
Create a separate “IoT” SSID on 2.4 GHz for smart devices; keep your main SSID on 5/6 GHz.
