Mesh Wi-Fi, baby camera, and Chromecast issues
Mesh Wi-Fi, baby camera, and Chromecast issues
I set up a COVR-X1860 with three mesh nodes and a DCS-6500LHv2 camera to watch over your son's room. I also added two Chromecast devices for ocean sounds in his room to aid his sleep. Previously, I used a DIR-X5460 router with an extender, but coverage was poor. The mesh now works better, though the camera and Chromecast still lose connection. All devices run the latest firmware. You asked about possible issues: are the mesh routers or cameras affected? How can you troubleshoot beyond checking phone signal strength? You want consistent strong Wi-Fi throughout the house and a non-subscription camera in your son's room for PC and phone use, so you can stream audio between rooms.
Here are some possible adjustments you can make:
Check your Wi-Fi security configuration. Are you using WPA3 exclusively? Consider reducing the security level, as some devices may not support it. You might also enable guest Wi-Fi with a less secure setting for easier testing. In the app, look for an option to turn off the "mesh" feature on specific devices (I do this in the TP-Link Deco app). This keeps everything on a single access point, which some devices prefer and avoid mesh networks. If needed, try disabling either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radios as a test, switching to just one frequency. Lastly, verify if your SSID and password are straightforward—no spaces or special characters.
1- WPA2-Personal - Guest Wi-Fi is enabled, but I can't adjust its security settings individually.
2- I use the mesh network for this setup... I can turn it off... I'll keep you updated.
3- The "smart connect" feature isn't disabled, which handles automatic 2.4 to 5 GHz switching... odd.
4- The SSID is straightforward and lengthy, but uses a simple passphrase without spaces.
Describing online is tricky. Generally, anything that consumes "bandwidth" – like cameras, repeaters, or mesh networks – negatively impacts Wi-Fi speed. Obstacles such as walls and distance reduce performance. Many devices operating on the same frequency cause problems. It’s a situation where adding more elements can make things worse. One approach is to change SSIDs temporarily for easier testing. To gather data, download "wifi sweet spots" on your device and use them to evaluate results. Try turning off as many devices as possible and test one thing at a time. For reference, my current 2x2 WiFi 5 phone delivers about 480MBps, which isn’t optimal with my 4x4 Wi-Fi 6 AP. When I move to the other side of my house, speeds drop to around 300MBps. The best setup for consistent Wi-Fi is multiple wireless access points spread throughout your home or building. These should be connected via Ethernet, and most support Power over Ethernet (PoE). You only need one Ethernet cable per location. Set each AP under the same SSID/password but on different frequencies or place them far apart if they share the same channel. Nearby devices will enjoy strong signals. Newer APs manage handovers well; a common rule is one AP per floor or roughly 700-1500 sq ft of coverage area. If possible, keep everything wired – especially cameras, which are major disruptors. A good alternative is mesh networking, but it adds latency and reduces bandwidth each time the signal "switches." Mesh systems often reuse the same frequency, leading to congestion. Outdoor APs exist, though they’re usually limited in range. If you're not constrained, Ubiquti Unifi-6 is a solid choice for indoor use. Engenius was recommended by Wendell at L1Techs – they also have good options outdoors. They likely offer models suitable for your setup. Be aware that mesh networks can struggle with interference if all APs share the same channel. For outdoor setups, a weatherproof option works best. If you must rely on Wi-Fi, consider MoCA adapters to convert coaxial signals to Ethernet. You can also run a few APs or mesh nodes in key spots, keeping them close to each other and near wired connections. Thin cables with nails or tape help secure them. In one case, a cable was misplaced and caused issues – always double-check connections.
Resolved the issue by connecting three wires from the router, assigning one per heavy user, and adding a switch. Updated the router to Asus Zen 6600 with Ethernet backhaul. Problems are gone.