Adding a wifi AC-1304 point

[Spacekdet]

I've had my 4 point mesh network running for several years now and want to add one more point to extend it. I've followed the instructions, reset the unit added it with cable but as soon as the cable is unplugged it pulses orange until the cable is plugged back in then goes white again. I don't want to hardwire the unit, I've tried adding it without the cable but this only works if I place it right next to another unit and then fails at the last step and says it's not close enough but if I plug the cable in at this stage where it says try again it adds it to the mesh but then I have the problem again of it being tethered by the network cable, very frustrating. If I run the mesh test whilst it's in orange mode the mesh test fails and says "make sure your wifi router is plugged in" almost like it has set the new point as a router hence the need for a cable.. all I want is a point, I have the router and 3 other point setup.

Very frustrated, any help would be appreciated 

[PatrickP_Viking]

Hey @Spacekdet .

When you stated you had a "4 point mesh network" are you counting the main point/router also?

[Spacekdet]

Yes, I brought a 3 pack years ago and set that up and then brought  a singular wifi point to extend it, and added that but all under the old Google wifi app

[pereztzum]

Hi there!

It sounds like you're running into a common issue with adding a new Google Wifi AC-1304 point to your existing mesh network.

Before we start can you answer some probing questions:

• What type of Google Wifi device are you trying to add? Is it another Google Wifi AC-1304 point, or a different model like Nest Wifi? Knowing the exact model can help pinpoint specific troubleshooting steps.
• What type of Google Wifi devices do you already have installed? Are they all Google Wifi AC-1304 points, or a mix of models? Compatibility issues can sometimes arise between different models.

Now if we are clearly with the probing questions, here are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot the problem:

Basic App Troubleshooting:

• Force close, then reopen the Google Home app. This can sometimes clear temporary glitches within the app.
• Uninstall, then reinstall the Google Home app. A fresh install might resolve any app-related issues causing the setup problem.

Positioning and Connectivity:

• Get closer to the router, not just another point. While setting up wirelessly, ensure the new point is in close proximity to your main Google Wifi router for a strong initial connection. Once provisioned, you can move it to its final location.
• Perform a 2-minute power cycle on the new device and the router. Unplug both the new point and your main Google Wifi router from power for 2 minutes. Then, plug them back in one at a time, waiting for each device to fully boot up before proceeding. This can sometimes help re-establish network communication.

Advanced Troubleshooting:

• Perform a power cycle of your phone. Sometimes a simple phone restart can resolve app connectivity issues.
• Factory Reset (Last Resort). If all else fails, consider performing a factory reset on the new Google Wifi point (and potentially all your points if necessary). This will erase all settings and require you to set up the entire mesh network again. Be sure to back up any important network configurations before proceeding.
   

By following these steps systematically and providing more details about your specific setup, you should be able to resolve the issue and successfully add your new Google Wifi point wirelessly to your existing mesh network.

Hope this helps!

Brandon.

[Spacekdet]

Hi Brandon, they're all the same model and I've done all the restarts and on each wifi point and used 4 different google devices to connect it as well as installing and reinstalling the google home app on each, some devices worked further along the process and others stalled at earlier points, and I  also tried the connection with the router point as well as a standard point. The only thing I haven't tried is a total reset of the network because of 2 things, I have several port forwarding set up (can these be saved with a reset somewhere or do I just have to write them down?) And 2 I'm worried that if I reset the whole mesh I won't be able to add any points once the router point is set up and just wasted hundreds of dollars..

[pereztzum]

Hi @Spacekdet!

I understand the frustration you've been experiencing, and it sounds like you've been very thorough in your troubleshooting efforts. At Google Nest, we understand the importance of a seamless setup process, and our support team is here to help.

Given the complexities involved, reaching out to Google Nest support would be the best course of action. They have the tools to delve deeper and potentially find a solution that avoids a full network reset.

The more details you provide about the troubleshooting steps you've taken and the problems you're encountering, the faster the support team can assist you.

Best Regards,

Brandon.