Steps to Setup Google Mesh System (Help!)

[Jay239]

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. 😃

[Mustrum]

@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.

[Jay239]

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?

[XRaySpeX]

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@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.

[Jay239]

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?

[XRaySpeX]

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?

[Jay239]

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

[XRaySpeX]

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!

[Jay239]

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. =(

[XRaySpeX]

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

As it is it should work.