@Riley_S I was told that my network was creating to many IP addresses and that he could fix this easily for $100. Sounded like a scam but I called the right number. I disconnected everything including an ethernet switch which i left out of the mix when rebooting everything and still had the same issue. I've used the optimize system option many times and still all decos connect to the main. I haven't changed the other settings you mentioned. Just went with the factory settings.

  @Gotstafish 

Hello, yes this was a scam for sure.  TP-Link does not charge for our support and we would certainly not tell you your network was creating too many IP addresses.  Your IP address is only limited by two things.  Your subnet and the DHCP pool settings of your router.  If you can please provide more information such as the phone number you called or the website you went to.  

Additionally, we recommend all customers review this FAQ

To speak about why all units are connecting directly to the Main unit.  This is because when the Deco is first powered up it will do a scan for the best connection and will establish that as its point of transmission.  This can be Redone by power cycling.  The network optimization currently only optimizes client connections.  We are working on future enhancements and show have those out soon, what those enhancements will do we can't say yet.  Currently we recommend with the units in their current locations power cycle each Deco.  Plugging in the furthest Deco last.