@escal07 

Thanks for reaching out. I understand that you have a three-storey home with concrete walls, and you're using a Deco Mesh system to improve Wi-Fi coverage, but you're still experiencing weak signal on the top floor. You're also considering switching your main Deco to Access Point mode and upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 Deco model, and you want to know if these changes will help.

Here are some tips to help you get the best coverage and performance from your Deco Mesh system:

1. Placement Matters:
• Place each Deco unit in an open area, not inside cabinets, shelves, or corners. This helps maximize signal strength.
• Avoid placing Deco units near large metal objects, as these can block or interfere with the wireless signal.
• Keep Deco units away from Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, or soundbars, as these can cause interference, especially on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
• Position Deco units at about desk or table height, not on the floor or near the ceiling.

2. Check Signal Strength:
• Use the Deco app to check the backhaul signal strength for each satellite Deco. A 2-bar signal is generally acceptable. If you see only 1 bar, move the satellite Deco closer to the main Deco or another satellite unit.

3. Avoid Overlapping Coverage:
• Do not place two Deco units too close together (such as in the same room or directly next to each other). Usually, one Deco can cover 1-3 rooms.

4. If Coverage Is Still Weak:
• Consider adding more Deco units to further expand coverage.
• If you need more tailored advice, you can contact TP-Link support with your house layout for personalized suggestions.

Regarding Access Point (AP) Mode:
• If your Virgin Broadband router does not support modem mode, setting your main Deco to AP mode is a good idea to avoid double NAT issues. This will not reduce Wi-Fi strength, but you will lose some advanced features like parental controls and antivirus. You should connect all your devices to the Deco Wi-Fi network for the best mesh performance.

Upgrading to Wi-Fi 6:
• Upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 Deco model (like the Deco X50 or X55) will provide better speed, capacity, and future-proofing compared to Wi-Fi 5 (Deco M5). The main difference between the X50 and X55 is that the X55 generally has more Ethernet ports and sometimes slightly better hardware, but both are solid choices. If budget is a concern, the X50 is a great value.

For more details on optimal Deco placement, please refer to the official FAQ: https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/837/

If you need further help with setup or choosing the right model, feel free to ask!