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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@Yoann Exactly, I don't think Decos are Mesh at all. There are just TP-Link N300 with a cut-off, fancy UI and nice plastics outside.
I made a topic about that: https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/528536?page=1
Update an e-mail from now: "We are sorry that you are not happy with your product. If Deco did not meet your expectations, you should have chosen another product. We did not claim that Deco is the best option for your network topology."
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This answer from a customer service of a big company like TP-Link is a shame !
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@TP-Link thanks for saying what most users already knew about mesh connections. This isn't just a tp-link thing. All mesh systems operate similarly. And most cost a lot more
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@TP-Link last update: I am getting out of this game. Just returned the Decos to Costco and bought Netgear instead. To be fair, the Netgear RBK753 doesn't allow source selection either. But at least it doesn't cut the speed when I add more routers to the mesh WiFi network.
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@magician it's probably easier for me because I've only got 80 mbps service. But I get 65 to 70 mbps at all my satellites so I'm happy. If you are going higher speed you should probably have top of the line tri band with wired backhaul. Probably shouldn't expect as much from tp-link because it isn't high end.
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@Zorki48 I bought Deco x5700, which is one of TP link's most expensive triband mesh model retailed at around $400. After numerous troubleshooting with Comcast engineers, the main router was only able to deliver a WiFi speed of 500 mbps out of a 1 gigabyte plan. At $400, I would expect a better performance.
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Hi, @magician
Thanks for the update.
Besides of moderating our own community, I am also a regular visitor of other communities.
Frankly speaking, the Deco is quite competitive both in price and network performance. I always believe Deco is a very preferable choice of mesh routers at the same level.
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magician wrote
@TP-Link last update: I am getting out of this game. Just returned the Decos to Costco and bought Netgear instead. To be fair, the Netgear RBK753 doesn't allow source selection either. But at least it doesn't cut the speed when I add more routers to the mesh WiFi network.
It is good that you returned it when you had the opportunity, not too late.
3 minutes ago
Re:Manual Signal Source Selection on Deco
Hi, @magician
Thanks for the update.
Besides of moderating our own community, I am also a regular visitor of other communities.
Frankly speaking, the Deco is quite competitive both in price and network performance. I always believe Deco is a very preferable choice of mesh routers at the same level.
@TP-Link I still think the word "mesh", that you are using is misleading advertising. What is the difference between a few TP-Link WiFi extenders and Decos, except the UI? -This is a rhetorical question, I know you can list many differences, but that is not the point....
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@Momcho I got what you mean.
Having dealing with Deco issues for a few years and also owning several Deco M9 plus and M4 in my house, I would not say it is the best but it is not as bad as it has been said.
It is true that we have been fighting for this feature for about two years and now it is so close to the success I don't want to see that you finally give up.
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@TP-Link I think that the source selection its a functionality that should be not so hard to implement and brings a very different user experience. Because in my case the difference when my 3rd deco connect to the 1st(main deco) and to the 2nd is huge. When its connected to the 1st the signal is week because is far away and I experience cuts in Netflix content and its almost impossible to reach 4K Resolution. When I manage to connect to the 2nd deco in the first 5 seconds Netflix reach 4K resolution and stays that way without problem.
The conclusion to this is that getting this functionality would put Tplink deco in a must buy situation in the mesh technology devices without a question.
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