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Just Set Up an EasyMesh Network and Have a Couple Questions

Just Set Up an EasyMesh Network and Have a Couple Questions

Just Set Up an EasyMesh Network and Have a Couple Questions
Just Set Up an EasyMesh Network and Have a Couple Questions
Wednesday - last edited Yesterday

Hello,

 

As the title suggests, I just had ethernet run from my main router (TP-Link Archer BE230) to a satellite router (TP-Link AX55 Pro) and have them set up as an EasyMesh network. I actually had them set up this way prior to the wire being run but reset both routers and went through the set-up again to be safe. I am not using Smart Switch and have separate 2.4 and 5 Ghz SSIDs. Both routers are up to date firmware wise, and the Operation Mode is set to Wireless Router.

 

1). My main objective is to eliminate dead spots, allow switching of wireless devices to the better router and to hardwire a couple devices to the hardwired, satellite router. Do I have everything set up properly for this?  When I posted this on Reddit, I received the following (rude) reply that makes me question whether I do:

 

"Your first issue is two routers.  What made you think this was a good idea?  You need to start at the basics before trying again.  You have created a multitude of issues with the first being a double NAT."

 

2). I've noticed that my phone will sometimes tirelessly connect to the main router (I know this because it's WiFi 7 and the satellite router is not) even when I'm physically a foot away from the satellite router. Sometimes, it does connect to the satellite router, but I'm unclear as to why it wouldn't always do this since it's closer and thus has a better signal. Is fluctuation like this normal in a set-up like mine and the distance/signal doesn't always determine which router devices connect to?

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Re:Just Set Up an EasyMesh Network and Have a Couple Questions-Solution
Yesterday - last edited Yesterday

Hello  @heldmacm ,

Welcome to our community.

 

 

We will address your two questions one by one below:

 

1. Is your setup correct, and is double NAT a concern?

 

In an EasyMesh network, the satellite router (your AX55 Pro) does not act as a second, independent router. Instead, it operates as a Mesh node under the control of the main router (BE230), meaning only the main router handles DHCP and NAT functions. In a correctly configured EasyMesh network, Double NAT issues do not occur.

However, you should check if your BE230 is receiving its internet connection from an ISP-supplied modem/router combo unit while remaining in "Wireless Router" mode. If that is the case, a "Double NAT" situation would indeed exist.


Your goals—eliminating signal dead zones, enabling devices to roam to the router with the better signal, and connecting devices via Ethernet to the satellite router—align perfectly with the intended design of EasyMesh, and your setup meets these requirements.

 

One thing to verify: ensure that the EasyMesh feature is enabled on the main router (go to "Advanced" > "EasyMesh" in the web management interface) and that the AX55 Pro was reset to factory settings before being added as a satellite router. If you followed these steps during setup, your network configuration should be correct.

 

2. Why doesn't your phone always connect to the closer satellite router?

This is a known behavior and not specific to TP-Link — it's a general characteristic of how Wi-Fi roaming works. The decision of which access point to connect to is ultimately made by the client device (your phone), not the router or mesh system. Most devices use a combination of signal strength, signal quality, and their own internal logic to decide when to switch. Some phones are quite "sticky" and will hold onto an existing connection even when a closer node might offer a better signal, simply because the current connection is still functional.

The fact that your phone is Wi-Fi 7 capable and the BE230 is a Wi-Fi 7 router may also be a factor — your phone might be prioritizing the Wi-Fi 7 connection on the main router over the Wi-Fi 6 connection on the AX55 Pro, even when you're physically closer to the satellite.

This kind of fluctuation is normal in mesh setups, especially when Smart Switch (band/node steering) is disabled. Enabling Smart Switch on your main router may help, as it allows the mesh system to actively guide devices toward the better node. 

Welcome to Our Community! Get the latest posts: △New Firmware for Archer GE550/GE650 V1 Introduces AI-QoS, EasyMesh IoT Expansion, and More! △New Firmware Releases for Archer BE805 V1/BE450 V1 to Support VPN Merge, New ECO Mode, and More! More posts, please see: △ Get the Ongoing Pre-release Firmware for Wi-Fi Routers Here— Subscribe for Updates! Urgent problems with your Wi-Fi Router, Range Extender, or DSL Modem? Please reach out via private Messages or @Joesph-TP in your new thread directly. Click △ Or ☆Recommended Solution if the post/answer helps.
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Re:Just Set Up an EasyMesh Network and Have a Couple Questions-Solution
Yesterday - last edited Yesterday

Hello  @heldmacm ,

Welcome to our community.

 

 

We will address your two questions one by one below:

 

1. Is your setup correct, and is double NAT a concern?

 

In an EasyMesh network, the satellite router (your AX55 Pro) does not act as a second, independent router. Instead, it operates as a Mesh node under the control of the main router (BE230), meaning only the main router handles DHCP and NAT functions. In a correctly configured EasyMesh network, Double NAT issues do not occur.

However, you should check if your BE230 is receiving its internet connection from an ISP-supplied modem/router combo unit while remaining in "Wireless Router" mode. If that is the case, a "Double NAT" situation would indeed exist.


Your goals—eliminating signal dead zones, enabling devices to roam to the router with the better signal, and connecting devices via Ethernet to the satellite router—align perfectly with the intended design of EasyMesh, and your setup meets these requirements.

 

One thing to verify: ensure that the EasyMesh feature is enabled on the main router (go to "Advanced" > "EasyMesh" in the web management interface) and that the AX55 Pro was reset to factory settings before being added as a satellite router. If you followed these steps during setup, your network configuration should be correct.

 

2. Why doesn't your phone always connect to the closer satellite router?

This is a known behavior and not specific to TP-Link — it's a general characteristic of how Wi-Fi roaming works. The decision of which access point to connect to is ultimately made by the client device (your phone), not the router or mesh system. Most devices use a combination of signal strength, signal quality, and their own internal logic to decide when to switch. Some phones are quite "sticky" and will hold onto an existing connection even when a closer node might offer a better signal, simply because the current connection is still functional.

The fact that your phone is Wi-Fi 7 capable and the BE230 is a Wi-Fi 7 router may also be a factor — your phone might be prioritizing the Wi-Fi 7 connection on the main router over the Wi-Fi 6 connection on the AX55 Pro, even when you're physically closer to the satellite.

This kind of fluctuation is normal in mesh setups, especially when Smart Switch (band/node steering) is disabled. Enabling Smart Switch on your main router may help, as it allows the mesh system to actively guide devices toward the better node. 

Welcome to Our Community! Get the latest posts: △New Firmware for Archer GE550/GE650 V1 Introduces AI-QoS, EasyMesh IoT Expansion, and More! △New Firmware Releases for Archer BE805 V1/BE450 V1 to Support VPN Merge, New ECO Mode, and More! More posts, please see: △ Get the Ongoing Pre-release Firmware for Wi-Fi Routers Here— Subscribe for Updates! Urgent problems with your Wi-Fi Router, Range Extender, or DSL Modem? Please reach out via private Messages or @Joesph-TP in your new thread directly. Click △ Or ☆Recommended Solution if the post/answer helps.
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Re:Just Set Up an EasyMesh Network and Have a Couple Questions
Yesterday

@Joseph-TP Thank you, Joseph - that was very helpful.  To answer your questions:

 

I actually do not have any sort of ISP-provided modem or router at all; I have a fiberoptic connection that's hardwired in to the room where my main router (BE230) is.  Can you please confirm this setup eliminates concerns about a double NAT along with any similar concerns using two routers could cause?

 

I've confirmed EasyMesh is enabled and that the BE230 is the main router with the AX55 Pro a satellite of the BE230.  The AX55 Pro was factory reset via the paperclip method prior to being set up as a satellite device.  My understanding is that this is correct, and it was definitely my intention to set it up this way, but I'll allow you to confirm it's set up properly.

 

Thanks for the explanation on my phone switching, and I may try enabling Smart Switch so that it's not constantly switching between WiFi 6 and WiFi 7.

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Re:Just Set Up an EasyMesh Network and Have a Couple Questions
11 hours ago

Bump - just seeking confirmation from @Joseph-TP when your time permits.  Thanks again.

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