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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@TP-Link I gave up waiting for any support/improvements help. I even ported OpenWRT an open source router firmware to these devices to get control of the network. In the end I've given up. There are just far too many delays in support/firmware improvements from TP Link. I've sold them on and bought 2 Belkin RT3200 11AX routers that are so much better, and run Open WRT perfectly well.
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If the implementation of manual signal source selection is so complicated, then maybe the algorithm for setting up connections between mesh APs should be improved, there are many user reports that the connections between APs are often nonoptimal, possibly the meshing algorithm between APs does not contain all parameters
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@pawelb you are so right.
In the few moments I get "lucky" and the unit connects to the right signal source I get almost 300mbps, while most of the time, when the unit is wrongly selecting the source I get 40-70 mbps, and it's so frustrating, especially when you know its possible to get high speeds, and its not allowing you to work properly and enjoy the potential capabilities.
I will not recommend this product to others.
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TP Link should speed up software updates because other companies do it much faster, e.g. Asus 
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My furthest Deco connect only to Main Deco, the internet speed reduced too much.
I got around 500Mbps on main Deco, around 350 Mbps on 2nd Deco, however only got about 70Mbps on the 3rd.
One of the main factor is that the 3rd unit is the furthest connected to the Main Deco, with distance around 12 meters. It should be connected to 2nd one as they have shorter distance, about 7 meters.
Now, it is connected like this:
I would like to set my Deco#3 connect to #2 so it gets stronger connection.
@TP-Link
Will this firmware upgrade available for S4 model?
| S4(2.0) |
1.5.0 Build 20210607 Rel. 56436 |
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Welcome to the community.
Please reach out to the email and I would like to forward your case to the senior engineers.
They will be able to help you check the problem and re-select the signal source if needed.
Thank you very much.
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@TP-Link After your engeeners said in the remote session "they don't know what is going on" I gave up...
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Thank you for the further update. I have checked with the engineer, he explained after the compared tests during the remote session, everything works expected on the device itself since it prefers to connect the Deco with a better RSSI rate. As for why a shorter distance had a worse RSSI, one of the key factors are the barriers, which made us think the satellite Deco M9 is not in an ideal location, around the corner or behind several concrete walls maybe. So even though the distance is not far away, the barriers in between blocked most of the signal. In this way, we hope you could relocate the satellite M9, put it somewhere in clear sight from Deco M4 if possible.
And the engineer also requested some pictures of the location of Deco units in the email, if possible, I do hope you can give him an update so that he is able to provide a proper solution for you.
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@TP-Link It was explained very clearly to the engineer, including photos of how close the routers were to each other. If you want, we can put it next to each other????
I got two X90 (you know, your most powerful Deco), because when from the support team tells you "I don't know what is going on", you don't trust the product anymore.
Now connection between Decos is really stable. Only that the other devices are unstable and disconnecting. But I will describe all the disappointments from the most expensive Deco in a new topic ;)
But haaay, at least I have a normal speed and signal now, but half the features are missing.... If you want to have a good signal you should pay 600 EUROS for the routers and after that have a monthly subscription.
Time Limit of Parental Control.... Why, what does it cost on TP-Link to pay for it monthly ??? Call time() twice in the firmware?
And yes, these are the same TP-Link that in 5 years have managed to add only 2 IoT brands to their comparability list with IoT devices - TP-Link and Philips Hue (in M9 Plus).
And these people will advertise to me that they will analyze my IoT traffic if I pay them monthly? HILARIOUS!!! I, who pay for all possible Streaming Services and Cloud space that exists, will never trust this service "HomeShield Pro". What is the guarantee that it will not disappear after 1 year?
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Helpful: 31
Views: 56247
Replies: 155
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