I’ve had a working mesh network based on 3 Deco M9 Plus devices for 6 years. So I thought, why not upgrade to more up to date devices. A bit of research later, and I bought a Deco XE75 Pro 3-pack. Two months down the line, I’m beginning to despair.

OK so, I’ve managed to add one XE75 Pro to the network of 3 M9 Plus devices. I’ve even managed to switch to using the XE75 Pro as the Main device. And everything works. Which leaves the other two XE75 Pro devices.

Allegedly, powering up another device should result in it being found by the first. Within 2 minutes, so it is said. Doesn’t happen. What does happen is I get as far as the XE75 Pro displaying a flashing blue light. And that’s it. The Deco app on my iPhone throws all sorts of messages about can’t find network, unable to add deco, variations on these and others. Tried everything the TP-Link website and forums suggest. Several times over.

With this second XE75 Pro, there is one difference my iPhone now lists an unsecured wifi network that matches the SSID on the bottom of the device. Further investigation shows that each of the XE75 Pro devices has a different SSID. And herein lies where I think my problem is. Devices on a network should reference the same SSID. None of the XE75 Pro devices have the same SSID, and the SSID of my existing, and working network, is most certainly different, and secured.

So! Where do I go from here?

I’m patently missing something, and would very much appreciate some help.

Thanks in advance.