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mixing older M4R and new AX4300 in same Mesh network

mixing older M4R and new AX4300 in same Mesh network

mixing older M4R and new AX4300 in same Mesh network
mixing older M4R and new AX4300 in same Mesh network
2026-05-19 20:19:48
Model: Deco M4   Deco X4300 Pro  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version: 1.8.2

I have been running a Deco M4 mesh network for several years with no problems, but recently I have been getting a red light on my main router with increasing frequency (now about once every 10 days).  When I was able to pick up a set of X3400 Pros at a good price I thought it would be a good idea to replace/upgrade the mesh.

 

I have decided to make a clean break (new SSID name, new password) and make everyone re-authenticate to connect to the network.  But I have started thinking (sometimes dangerous) that if the older units are compatible with the new X4300s I could use them to cover some weak/dead spots that are a mild annoyance.  I have a stone house with a central brick/stone fireplace that makes getting signal throughout the hose (and especially into the garage and backyard when we have family get togethers challanging.  So if I could add one of the older units in a window or via a temporary cable it could solve the problem.

 

I strongly suspect that pwerformance would be degraded when connecting thru the M4 units, but since I go back to the days of 100mb (and even 10mb) I can be forgiving of performance in the name of convienence.

So will the two models work together in the mesh?

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Re:mixing older M4R and new AX4300 in same Mesh network
2026-05-19 21:09:17 - last edited 2026-05-19 21:10:45

Hi @Oldnetworker,

 

Welcome to the community!

 

First off, congrats on the network upgrade. To answer your compatibility question―yes, all Decos are designed to work together intuitively. You can use the M4 node(s) to extend your newly upgraded AX4300 system.

 

As for your concerns about potential performance disparities between the AX4300 nodes and M4 nodes, this will be a physical reality for devices connecting to the M4s (versus those connecting to the AX4300 nodes), primarily due to differences in Wi-Fi generation and bandwidth. However, if your main goal is maximum coverage, there's no harm in adding an M4 node or two and observing how the network and your devices behave―then removing or relocating the M4 node(s) if need be.

 

Given the home's construction materials, you may want to experiment with node placement to find the best combination of models and locations that best meet your specific needs.

 

If you decide to deploy a mixed node network, feel free to keep us posted on your progress, and if you have any questions, ask away.

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Re:mixing older M4R and new AX4300 in same Mesh network
2026-05-20 21:09:45

  @Oldnetworker 

Okay, I was ready to shutdown the old network and fire up and configure the new one.  I shut all the M4 units down, tuened off the Surfboard modem (waited a minute) then powered up the Surfboard and the new X4300. Modem lights are 'normal'  X4300 goes from yellow to blue.  But the only indication of a network I see on the App is my M4 network which it says is offline.

 

My plan was to imply power off the old network and leave it dormant while I fired up the new one and got it operational.  That way if I had problems or had a sudden need to get on the internet while I was moving everything to the new network I could simply power off the new X4300s and fire up the M4s and be back as my old network.  Most of the devices would have that network information stored and could be told to use it (if they didn't do so automagically when the new network could not be found.

 

So how do I get my Deco App to configure a new (second) network?

 

 

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Re:mixing older M4R and new AX4300 in same Mesh network
2026-05-21 05:55:27

  @Oldnetworker 

 

See the post below on how to set up a 2nd deco network. When you set up your new X4300  if you use the same SSID and password you were using on your old network everything should connect to the new one just fine as long as the other decos are still powered off. 

 

How to Create Multiple TP-Link Deco Networks in the Deco App

 

Let us know if you need anything else. 

Need help with the Deco app, setup, Ethernet backhaul, network switch or rolling back firmware? Router or AP mode? https://community.tp-link.com/us/home/forum/topic/699816?page=1
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Re:mixing older M4R and new AX4300 in same Mesh network
2026-05-28 01:18:59 - last edited 2026-05-28 01:20:05

HelpFixDecoApp wrote

  @Oldnetworker 

 

See the post below on how to set up a 2nd deco network. When you set up your new X4300  if you use the same SSID and password you were using on your old network everything should connect to the new one just fine as long as the other decos are still powered off. 

 

How to Create Multiple TP-Link Deco Networks in the Deco App

 

Let us know if you need anything else. 

  @HelpFixDecoApp 

 

I wanted to make a clean break and set up a new network for several reasons

 

1) If I had problems such as not being able to have some IOT devices come up on the new network  I could simply turn off the new devices hook my old master back to the cablemodem and be 'back the way things were' while I worked out the issues

 

2) While I do not think my old network had been compromised We did have a somewhat ugly family split a few years ago and the person (Very network knowledgeable) who had left the area was coming back to the area and I decided that I would rather start a new network which used none of the naming conventions (and much stronger passwords) than I have used in the past

 

3) By starting from scratch I can document the weird names that some of the IoT devices use on the network so I can have a better idea that the inactive devices are the Grandkids 'things' that the network will see when they visit and then have go inactive for weeks at a time

 

I have the basic network replaced (I need to rename a couple of the 4300s) but they are working.  My next step is to set an M4 back to factory standard and bring it online as an extension

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