Clarification on Mesh Test Results Display in Google Home App

[Rrwcm]

Hello, I’m trying to better understand how the Google Home app handles and displays mesh test results for my Nest Wifi Pro network. I’ve noticed that when I open the app, it often shows what appears to be an older mesh test result—even after I’ve run a new test. For example, I’ve seen status messages like “12 Points All Online” immediately after I’ve run a test that showed several points offline, then closed and reopened the app. I can’t find a clear record of when the most recent mesh test was run or how to view its results once the test window is closed.

Could you clarify:

• Where does the app pull the mesh test status it displays on launch?

• Is there a way to view a history or timestamp of previous mesh tests?

• How can I confirm that the displayed mesh status reflects the most recent test, not a cached or outdated result?

I have screenshots showing some of the conflicting messages and statuses but do not see a way to share these images.

I’d appreciate any guidance you can offer to help me interpret what I’m seeing—or to confirm whether this is expected behavior.

[MichaelP]

Hello @Rrwcm 

I'm afraid I can't answer these specific questions. However, something you mentioned caught my eye: "12 points..."

Since the maximum number of supported points is five, I have to wonder if the system is having issues performing and reporting on mesh tests when you have more than five points in your system. Just a thought.

I believe some people have managed to build systems with more than five points, but they did so by using Ethernet to connect them all back to the primary/router unit via an inexpensive, unmanaged Ethernet switch (or switches).

[Rrwcm]

Thanks for responding.   I am aware of the wifi signal degradation by multiple mesh units relaying beyond a one-to-one relationship.   In building my mesh network I installed each access point one-at-a-time over many weeks.   Each configuration was given at least a week to settle down.   After the 9th one I ordered another shipment but never was able to add additional access points after the 9th..   I have the last shipment on the shelf as backups.  I am experiencing dropped AP for short durations.   My biggest concern is the lack of reliability.  I would love to add Ethernet cable to my older home but that will require a good bit of money. If I am ever able to get it to every room in my 3 level house and outside areas then I hope to be able to wire my AP's to produce wifi for all the IOT's  I have scattered.

I know this sounds crazy.   I really appreciate your input and hope to have it again as I venture into the technicalities of home networking!

[MichaelP]

There's a lot to unpack here. First, I just want to be clear that 5 points is the maximum supported. This isn't a signal issue – it's not supported because some things simply don't work beyond that number of points.

Second, if you can't use Ethernet, perhaps you have an existing coaxial cable plant in the home that would allow the use of MoCa adapters to create an Ethernet stand-in.

If you really have to rely on the wireless mesh interconnect only, then following the placement guidelines is critical to achieving stable operation. This is even more important for the Nest WiFi Pro product, since it uses the 6GHz band for the mesh interconnect and that band is still subject to lower transmit power. Here is my summary of those guidelines:

• The primary/router unit (the one wired to your internet service) must be as close to the center of your home as possible. If your internet service comes in at a corner of the basement, for example, at least make one Ethernet run that lets you put the primary/router in a more central location.
• All secondary/point units must be no more than one room away from the primary in any direction (including on other floors). From there, they will provide coverage to more distant 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz clients. They need to have a very strong 6GHz connection to the primary to carry that client traffic back. You may be able to stretch this to two rooms away, but I wouldn't do two floors away.

To understand these rules, it's important to understand the multi-hop topologies really do not work. Secondary/point units will connect directly to the primary if they can get any connection at all – even if that connection is slow / poor quality. If you manage to build a topology that actually does multi-hop, I can pretty much guarantee the resulting performance will not be good. There are pretty good reasons for this I can explain if you're really interested, but for now, just take it as fact. Follow the guidance. The issues you are having is almost certainly a result of having too many access points and placing them in a non-optimal position.

If you can configure your system with fewer points placed according to these guidelines, I suspect the mesh tests results will make more sense and you can adjust things until all of the secondaries get a "great" rating on that test. That's your goal – a "great" rating for all secondary/point units. That tells you they can all carry client traffic back to the primary without issues. Any point that has a poor rating is just going to attract more nearby clients and then struggle to carry their traffic.

Lastly, just to reiterate: with more than five points, the mesh test won't produce useful results. It's a stress test of the mesh, pushing all of the secondaries simultaneously. With too many secondaries, even if they all had a good signal, the congestion from the stress test would produce inconsistent results.

Good luck!