Accepted Manual Signal Source Selection on Deco

Background:
Some users might notice that all satellite Deco units are connected to the main Deco, instead of the nearest satellite Deco.
Typical Layout:
Why does the satellite Deco still keep selecting the main Deco as a signal source instead of the nearest satellite Deco?
Deco will choose the best signal source by itself. The selection does not depend absolutely on the signal strength, but also on the connection rate. Sometimes satellite Deco units may get slower speed due to half-duplex mode and interferences caused by connected devices like phones, or other devices. To ensure the satellite Deco gets reliable speed, the main Deco stays selected by Satellite Deco after comparative analysis.
Some users tested that after moving one of the satellites far enough and not being able to reach the main Deco, they finally get the desired connection map:
However, the speed of the satellite becomes slower than what it could get when connecting to the main Deco directly. Due to the working pattern and protocol/regulation of Wi-Fi technology, the more wireless hops, the slower the speed would be. This rule applies to any kind of mesh or extender system. So it is not always good to connect to the nearest Deco unit.
Solutions
Deco Firmware Updates Adding Signal Selection and VPN for Multiple Models
Related FAQ:
How can I find a suitable spot for my Deco?
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Hi, The PLC backhaul is active only when the main Deco supported the powerline backhaul, which means the main Deco has to be Deco P9/P7.
So for your case, you might need to switch the location of the main Deco X20 and P9 Front of House.
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there is a firmware beta of 1.6 for m9+?!
can i get a link too please
Currently running 1.5.5 (was able to download before build was removed)
I currently have 4 deco m9+ (three setup) and I'd love to be able to select signal source please
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Hi, there will be a firmware 1.6.0 for Deco M9 plus as well, but not now.
You could subscribe to this post and any news about 1.6.0 firmware will be updated there.
When will 1.6.0 be released for the Deco M9 Plus
As for the signal source issue, I supposed that you have seen the explanation here, It is not always a good thing to connect to the nearest Deco.
Due to the working pattern and protocol/regulation of Wi-Fi technology, the more wireless hops, the slower the speed would be.
So do you have any specific issue when the satellite Deco is connected to the nearest Deco?
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In my case, yes. From my diagram above, if I leave Deco's 1 and two connected, I get very good speeds, but many dead zones through the house, specifically in the basement.
When I add the third one (in the basement) speed drops considerably and almost no dead zones. Just some unstable connections from the security cameras.
In regards to your statement "is not always a good thing to connect to the nearest Deco",we cannot tell unless we can tell the Deco which source to use.
In my case, the price tag on these devices do not commensurate with the result. Note that I replaced Google WiFi AC1200 systems that provided stability, whole house coverage and some speed (depending on the location). I was looking to take advantage of the 802.11AX standard being some of my devices are AX capable.
Unfortunately it is not the case. Two Deco's X68 get me speed but no whole house coverage. When adding a third one, I get almost whole house coverage but speed drops specifically because this third one connects to the farthest one and there is no way to configure it to use the nearest one.
Even if it is a frequency/protocol regulation within WiFi technologies, we should be able to "test" different implementations so that we can choose the one that fits the best as it is very well known that system's based decisions are not always the desired one.
Anyway, if it cannot be done in these devices, I guess probably the X68 is not the option ( for me at least).
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@Andyl73 Is there a Beta firmware for P9 that improves things
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Hello, any chance there is something similar available for E4 at the moment? I would like to test it 🙂
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When can we expect a fix for Deco M4? this has been going on for over a year, and we still are without a fix.
I'm trying to work and can't even work properly because TP-LINK M4 keeps pairing with the 1st Node, and not the 2nd.
I'm considering this a false advertisement:
3rd device doesn't connect to 2nd false. So this is misleading advertising, and TP-LINK should be penalized for that.
Once again, i'm experiencing this for over a year... was hoping to see efforts for a fix. but nothing. And the misleading advertising is still going on, misleading people in buying something that doesn't work as advertised.
I look forward to hear something from TP-Link soon.
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