topic Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!) in Broadband & Landline

Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Jay239 — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 19:43:59 GMT

Hi, tech noob here.

I've recently bought a set of Google Mesh Wifi to extend the coverage in my house.

I started by setting up the first Google Wifi by plugging in the Ethernet cable (into my Google Wifi) and WAN port (into my EE Smart Hub). I followed the steps in the Google Home app but when it tried to connect to Wifi, it says "Connection failed". I tried a few times but it didn't work.

I checked that the first Google Wifi I've connected is also emitting Wi-Fi (presumably because of the connection to EE Smarthub). So now I have 2 devices (Google & EE SH) emitting Wifi. However, the current setup won't let me connect to my 2nd or 3rd Google Unit because Google Home can't connect the first unit with Wifi.

What am I doing wrong here? I searched through the forum, and lots of people saying that the EE SH cannot be used as a bridge, what does it has to do with my Google unit not being able to connect to Wifi?

What should I do now if I want to make it connect to the Wifi so I can enable my 2nd and 3rd Google units? Do I need to replace my EE SH router with a different router? Please kindly recommend any product that would fix this problem.

My product is Fibre Plus Broadband.

Thanks in advance. 😃

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Mustrum — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 20:12:43 GMT

@Jay239 were it me, I would send the Google back and get something that will work.

The Google system is quite old now, and also not very flexible. It is a router as is your Smart Hub which is not a good thing on the same line, As you have already found out, they clash.

You could set the Google up as a Wireless access point, but that would limit its functionality.

If you are able to send it back, you could get a router with built in mesh capability and extra hubs, or EE also do a home WiFi pack

All that said, assuming you are on VDSL, a W9970 is one of the cheapest devices that works in bridge mode I can think of, but you loose so much with your choice.

If you are spending money, think about future proofing your set up, so WiFi 6 router/mesh with 1Gbps plus WAN port - or go cheap and just get some home plug access points.

Sorry - just my thoughts.

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Jay239 — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 20:52:56 GMT

Thanks, @Mustrum, I didn't buy it, it was sent by my company because I complained to them that my WFH wifi was spotty 😅!

I can certainly return it if Amazon Business would take it back!

What product would you specifically recommend for "WiFi 6 router/mesh"? Would something like this work? It won't end up becoming like Google Wifi right?

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

XRaySpeX — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 20:54:24 GMT

@Jay239 wrote:

by plugging in the Ethernet cable (into my Google Wifi) and WAN port (into my EE Smart Hub).

Whose WAN port? Should be EE SH LAN > Google WAN.

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Jay239 — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 21:02:33 GMT

Thanks @XRaySpeX , so my current setup is:

1. BT white box (on the wall) to EE Smart Hub "Broadband"
2. EE Smart Hub WAN port (slot 4) to Google Wifi (like in the screenshot)

Am I right?

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

XRaySpeX — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 21:08:39 GMT

I don't believe so but there's something you are not telling us.

On the Home > Advanced Settings > Broadband > Internet page of the SH what is WAN Port set to?

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Jay239 — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 21:13:14 GMT

Thanks @XRaySpeX , WAN Port in the "Internet Page" is set to Off. Should I switch that on?

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

XRaySpeX — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 21:24:48 GMT

No, it should stay OFF. It's only ON when the SH is connected to a separate modem which you don't have. Here the SH's WAN is the DSL to the phone socket.

With it OFF Port 4 of the SH is not a WAN but a LAN port. That is correct.

The Q remains what port is the Google using? It should be a WAN port. I don't know those symbols the Google has on it. What does its instructions say?

EDIT: Maybe that port symbol looks a World which would imply it is a WAN. If so, that would be correct!

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Jay239 — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 21:23:28 GMT

Thanks @XRaySpeX, So I checked for Google, it's definitely a WAN port that I'm using.

So it's LAN from EE SH, and WAN from Google.

Perhaps like one of the users replied above, I need a different router to replace the EE SH, otherwise, it won't work. =(

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

XRaySpeX — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 21:30:03 GMT

Slightly! It's LAN from EE SH, and WAN to Google.

As it is it should work.

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Mustrum — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 21:34:43 GMT

@Jay239 sorry, been away, but did not forget you.

One other question, are you on full fibre, or G Fast - is your router plugged into a telephone socket, or an OpenReach ONT / white box with lights on it?

Depending on the answer, your previous link looks very interesting, but i would need to look at the specs in more detail.

PS just spotted another reply to this thread, whilst it should work, you will still get the double NAT issue.

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

XRaySpeX — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 21:37:32 GMT

@Mustrum : OP is on Fibre Plus plugged into BT phone socket.

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Jay239 — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 21:40:05 GMT

Hey @Mustrum and @XRaySpeX , yes it works, I do get Wifi emitted from my Google Wifi. Except now I have both Google and EE emitting Wifi 😂

And yes, it's LAN from EE, WAN to Google. Gosh I thought things should be easy!

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

XRaySpeX — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 21:57:11 GMT

@Jay239 wrote:

Except now I have both Google and EE emitting Wifi 😂

What's wrong with that? At least you'll know which router your devices are connecting to. If you like you could either:

Disable the WiFi on the SH. Then all WiFi devices will connect to the Google.
Rename the SSIDs (& pwds) of the Google to be those of the SH or v.v.

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Mustrum — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 22:06:18 GMT

Hey @Jay239 after going round some houses, we are back at my first answer, but although @XRaySpeX says you are plugged into your telephone line, not sure what speeds your line is capable of. If you could show the results of your phone number in the BTW DSL checker to make sure we recommend the right modem.

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADS

@XRaySpeX we seem to be back to step one!

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

XRaySpeX — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 22:16:18 GMT

No, @Mustrum , you seem to have introduced a 2nd Q on top of what the OP asks:

The OP possesses certain kit. Should it work on his current EE BB? If not, what should he get instead?
The OP possesses certain kit. Is it the best/right kit to use his current EE BB? If not, what should he get instead?

I'm only interested in 1.

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Mustrum — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 22:25:18 GMT

@XRaySpeX errm, in the first post the OP got one Google device working, not any of the others, Nothing has changed.

So yes, of course I have added more as we added nothing other than my suggestion of starting again, looking at the requirements, and coming up with a solution that provides a solution that meets the needs of the OP.

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

XRaySpeX — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 23:19:25 GMT

@Mustrum wrote:

errm, in the first post the OP got one Google device working, not any of the others, Nothing has changed.

Have you never got some set-up wrong 1st time? So it's not completely working. So let's try & find out why as it would seem that it should work rather than give up & tell OP to go out & buy something else. So far I have spent all the time checking that the initial config was correct for the 1st node as the OP's description of it was incorrect or at least unclear.

So, @Jay239 , to move on, what is not now working?

Are you able to connect devices OK to the 1st node?
Are you still unable to connect the other nodes?
Have you tried my suggestions of disabling WiFi on the SH, etc?

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

Jay239 — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 10:38:38 GMT

Thanks both, to answer your questions @XRaySpeX :

Are you able to connect devices OK to the 1st node?
- I have 3 Mesh point, the first one is emitting Wifi because of the LAN-WAN connection, but from the Google App it says it's not connected to the internet. So I cannot proceed with connecting all the 3 Mesh points.
Are you still unable to connect the other nodes?
- The first nodes emits Wi-Fi but the app says otherwise. So I can't proceed setting the second one.
Have you tried my suggestions of disabling WiFi on the SH, etc?
- Yes I did, Google app still says "Connection Failed".

Sounds like a Google App thing now. I will consult them. Thanks y'all!

Re: Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

XRaySpeX — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 13:50:19 GMT

Can't it be done w/out the Goggle app? It's only a matter of connecting devices, like a phone, to a router. Just connect them & see if they can see the Net & get a service.