Home

Forums

Stories

Knowledge Base

Home Network Community > Deco > Problems caused by Deco XE75 Pro with EE smart hub 2

< Deco

Problems caused by Deco XE75 Pro with EE smart hub 2

NeuroLodger

Yesterday

Posts: 5

Helpful: 2

Solutions: 0

Stories: 0

Registered: 2025-10-14

Problems caused by Deco XE75 Pro with EE smart hub 2

Yesterday

Model: Deco XE75 Pro

Hardware Version:

Firmware Version: 1.3.0 20250721 Rel.8514

I am experiencing significant issues with my Deco mesh network. When it was first set up, it worked perfectly; however, over the past two months, it has caused serious connectivity problems only on Windows-based computers, while Macs continue to function fine.

Network setup:

INTERNET

│

[EE Smart Hub 2] (DHCP: 192.168.1.20–253)

├── LAN1 → [Netgear Managed Switch] → [Main Deco (AP mode)]

│ │

│ └── (Wireless) → [Other Deco Units]

│

├── LAN2 → [Powerline Adapter A] ≈≈≈ [Powerline Adapter B]

│ │

│ └──→ [Unmanaged Switch]

│ ├── [PC 1]

│ └── [PC 2]

│

└── LAN3/4 unused

• The Deco is in AP mode.
• The EE Smart Hub provides DHCP.

Problem:

• Only Windows computers fail to connect to the internet.
• This issue occurs when the main Deco is connected to the EE Hub.
• All LAN ports appear to enter a loop under this setup.
• When the EE Hub is disconnected, the LAN ports function normally.

This behaviour is strange because it only affects Windows desktops or laptops. I initially thought it was a Windows issue and even performed fresh installs, but I finally realised it is caused by the Deco mesh network.

I have tried numerous troubleshooting methods, but the issue persists. The Deco technical support has been unhelpful, and I am extremely frustrated.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

7 Reply

Vendex

LV2

Yesterday

Posts: 66

Helpful: 60

Solutions: 8

Stories: 0

Registered: 2024-07-06

Re:Problems caused by Deco XE75 Pro with EE smart hub 2

Yesterday

It sounds like you might be running into a network loop or an IP conflict between the EE Hub, the managed switch, and the Deco when it’s in AP mode. The fact that it only affects Windows devices is likely coincidental - Windows tends to react differently to duplicate gateway or ARP responses than macOS does. Here are a few things you can try: Disable STP (or enable it, depending on your switch): If your Netgear managed switch supports Spanning Tree Protocol, make sure it’s enabled - this helps prevent loops when multiple devices (like the Deco and Powerline adapters) are bridging the same network. Check for multiple active DHCP servers: The EE Hub should be the only device providing IP addresses. Make sure DHCP is disabled on both the Deco (since it’s in AP mode) and any of the Powerline adapters if they have built-in routing functions. Avoid mixing Powerline and Mesh on the same LAN segment: The combination of Powerline and Wi-Fi backhaul can easily create loops if both paths connect back to the same router or switch. Try disconnecting the Powerline temporarily to see if stability improves. Assign static IPs to the Decos: In AP mode, give each Deco a fixed IP outside the EE Hub’s DHCP range (for example, if the hub assigns 192.168.1.20-253, set the main Deco to 192.168.1.10). Test with the managed switch temporarily removed: Connect the main Deco directly to the EE Hub and see if Windows devices behave normally. If the issue disappears, the switch or Powerline link is most likely the cause. If you can share your Netgear switch model and Powerline adapter model, we can help fine-tune the setup

Play Advanced

NeuroLodger

LV1

Yesterday

Posts: 5

Helpful: 2

Solutions: 0

Stories: 0

Registered: 2025-10-14

Re:Problems caused by Deco XE75 Pro with EE smart hub 2

Yesterday

@Vendex

The setup was lot simpler when it stopped working mainly for the windows 11.

The EE smart hub will not let me assign IP address outside the range. I have static IP for the deco but within the IP range of the EE hub. The DHCP has enabled in the EE hub and WIFI is switched off.

The power line adapter is TP-Link TL-PA717KIT 1-Port Gigabit Powerline Starter Kit, Powerline Network Adapters Data Transfer Speed up to 1000 Mbps. The power line is connected to LAN2 port of EE hub.

The netgear NETGEAR 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Managed Network Switch (GS305E) connected to LAN1 port of EE hub.

The switch has been configured with loop detcteion.

I have tried plugging the Deco directly to EE hub with or without power line. It has been casuing the same effcet. No internet for window based system.

Please let me know if you need any this else.Any help is greatly appreciated.

Vendex

LV2

Yesterday - last edited Yesterday

Posts: 66

Helpful: 60

Solutions: 8

Stories: 0

Registered: 2024-07-06

Re:Problems caused by Deco XE75 Pro with EE smart hub 2

Yesterday - last edited Yesterday

Thanks for the extra details, that really helps narrow it down since the issue still happens even when the Deco is connected directly to the EE Hub (without the switch or Powerline), it’s unlikely to be a loop. This points more to an ARP or DHCP interaction issue between the EE Smart Hub and the Deco in AP mode - which Windows reacts to more strictly than macOS. Here are a few things worth checking 1. Confirm the network details on a Windows device Run ipconfig /all and make sure the PC is getting an IP in the correct range from the EE Hub (e.g. 192.168.1.x). Verify that the Default Gateway and DNS server both point to the EE Hub’s IP (usually 192.168.1.254). If the gateway is missing or incorrect, Windows may show “no internet” even though connectivity exists. 2. Assign a manual IP to each Deco In the Deco app: More - Advanced - IPv4 - Static IP. Use an address within the EE Hub’s range but high enough to avoid conflicts (for example 192.168.1.250). Set Gateway and DNS to 192.168.1.254. 3. Disable “Smart Setup” or similar features on the EE Hub - they can interfere with devices behind an access point. 4. Run arp -a on a Windows PC when the problem appears - if you see more than one MAC address for the same gateway IP, that confirms an ARP conflict. 5. If possible, try setting the EE Hub to bridge/modem mode and use the Deco in router mode instead. This usually resolves such EE Hub + AP issues completely

Play Advanced

NeuroLodger

LV1

22 hours ago

Posts: 5

Helpful: 2

Solutions: 0

Stories: 0

Registered: 2025-10-14

Re:Problems caused by Deco XE75 Pro with EE smart hub 2

22 hours ago

@Vendex

You may be correct. The IP address allocation is very intermittent. Sometimes I get the correct IP address, and on some occasions it starts with 169. This is very random and frustrating, as I have reset the computer network adapter and tried a fixed IP address as well.

Currently, all Decos have static IP addresses.

The gateway and DNS are set to 192.168.1.254 and secondary DNS 8.8.8.8. I also tried 8.8.8.8 and 1.1.1.1. I have reset the deco twice, and I have tried router mode and asked to shift to AP mode to avoid double NAT by TP Link support.

There is no option to set the EE smart hub in bridge mode, but I did place the main Deco in DMZ and tried switching off the DHCP server on the EE hub. Deco as router no joy.

It has been a frustrating journey having purchased the Decos.

When the window is not working, there are multiple MAC addresses, and gate way shows 0.0.0.0

Any help is appreciated

David-TP

19 hours ago - last edited 18 hours ago

Posts: 16186

Helpful: 2325

Solutions: 2307

Stories: 9

Registered: 2020-04-14

Re:Problems caused by Deco XE75 Pro with EE smart hub 2

19 hours ago - last edited 18 hours ago

@NeuroLodger

Hi, thank you very much for the feedback.

@Vendex 's analysis is very helpful. it's worth trying all his suggestions.

Here are some details I hope you could help us have a further check. Maybe we can work together to figure out the root cause.

TL-PA717kits(both master unit and extended unit have only one Ethernet port), so I wonder whether the network topology is:

The unmanaged switch is behind the extended unit.

Did the two Windows-based PCs(PC1+PC2) here fail to access the internet?

When you mentioned "Only Windows computers fail to connect to the internet", is it more likely that "they suddenly had no internet for a long time period" or "the internet service is randomly connecting/disconnecting"?

Please also try to check the IP settings, especially the router/network gateway, when the Windows device fails to have internet access.

Deco in AP mode supports "Smart DHCP" under Deco APP>More>Advanced. It is suggested to disable "Smart DHCP" for Deco XE75 Pro

Or if there is no local service that needs to be accessed from the remote, it would be fine to set Deco into the router mode and adjust the network topology a little bit, such as:(Main Deco XE75 Pro happens to have three Ethernet ports)