Constant Disconnections

[Linthicum]

I have spent tens of hours troubleshooting constant disconnections with a very large (six Google mesh hotspot) system with Google router that hangs off of an Xfinity router/modem setup. The Google router is connected to the Xfinity network in bridge mode. Is the final step to disconnect the Google equipment and sell it on eBay, or is there some sort of level three support I can pay for? All purchased new in 2023.

Thanks very much.

[olavrb · Accepted solution]

Six units are more than the recommended maximum of five when in wireless mesh / wireless backhaul.

• "How many Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Wifi, or Google Wifi routers or points do I need?"
  https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7182840?hl=en
• "Where to place your Wifi devices"
  https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7183150?hl=en

Are you sure you need that many? Maybe you have too many? More is not neccessarily better; for every Nest Wifi unit you add, you get more wireless interference and overhead (traffic going between the Nest Wifi units themselves).

Here are some more common performance and reliability pitfals I covered earlier:

• https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Wifi/Google-Nest-WIFI-Slow/m-p/391981/highlight/true#M41...

TLDR/summary for better performance and reliability:

• Use as few Nest Wifi units as possible.
• If wireless mesh / wireless backhaul: Place the main unit in the middle.
• Wired backhaul only is the way to go for ultimate performance and reliability.
  • "Hardwire Wifi devices with Ethernet"
    https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7215624?hl=en
  • "Add LAN ports to Google Nest Wifi or Google Wifi"
    https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6274262?hl=en
  • Diagrams on how wired bakchaul is done properly: https://i.imgur.com/hhJUf36.png 

[Linthicum]

Thank you so much for this advice. I will read it with interest, and let you know what courses of action I select. I was not aware that five Google Mesh wireless hotspots were the maximum recommended. First heard. Thanks again, and I will be back here soon.

[LovelyM]

Hi folks, 

Thanks for providing all this helpful information, @olavrb. 

@Linthicum, I wanted to follow up to see if you had already checked the websites that were provided above and if you still needed assistance. Let me know so I can assist you further.

Best,
Lovely

[Thisguys]

I have 12 that intermittently disconnect, and flash orange. Even ones that are hard wired. 

[AbigailF]

Hey everyone,

@Thisguys, could you tell us more about your Google Wifi mesh network setup? Also, does the issue still happen after trying out @olavrb’s suggestions? We’ll wait for your update.

Appreciate your help here, @LovelyM.

Regards,
Abi

[Thisguys]

I unplugged several of them and haven't seen as many blinking and disconnected!  But this might be because I unplugged them.   Is there a location in the Google literature that says the max number of hotspots?

I have a large property and may have to switch a more commercial option I would guess if this is all true.

[olavrb]

Max five units if wireless backhaul, a.k.a mesh. If wired backhaul only (ethernet cable between all units), one can have more. The limit of five is mentioned here:

• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7182840?hl=en

More info can be found in this earlier thread:

• https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Wifi/Constant-Disconnections/m-p/396097/highlight/true#M...

[mosesg]

@olavrb

Can you clarify your response:

"... If wired backhaul only (ethernet cable between all units), one can have more."

To be explicit, so in this type of setup (a wired backhaul) a single home network can support more than five Google Nest Wifi Pro units, correct?  If so where did you find this nugget of information on Google's Nest Wifi Pro/Google Wifi support documentation?

I was bit confused given the link you provided "

• "Hardwire Wifi devices with Ethernet"
  https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7215624?hl=en

Under the section "Things to avoid":

...

• Don't include more than 5 routers or points in a mesh network. Adding more might be detrimental to Wi-Fi performance.

Have you personally tried setting up a wired backhaul for a single home network that can support more than five Google Nest Wifi Pro Units? Or have you personally tried setting up a wired backhaul for a single home network that can support more than five Google Wifi Units?

Thank you!

[olavrb]

I have not personally tried that, I've ever only needed two units.

But as already stated, the recommendation about max five wirelessly meshed units is because of the overhead and wireless interference. More than five wireless units might work btw, it's not hard capped at five.

I based the answer on years of reading and commenting about Google Wifi and Nest Wifi. Search and read back in time, and you'll find I'm not the first to suggest this. Google guides/documentation is not the single source of truth. 

[mosesg]

@olavrb Thanks for the comments!  Your correct, it's not hard capped at five!

When I read Google guides/documentation, the five was in reference to a wireless or wired backhaul mesh network, but I had never tried it until this weekend!  The Google guide/documentation states that "Adding more might be detrimental to Wi-Fi performance."  The keyword in this statement is "might".

But I can confirm you can have more than five Google Nest Wifi Pro units using a wired backhaul mesh network!  I have six in my wired backhaul only (ethernet cable between all units), everything seems to be working with no issues.  I am just glad that I am able to use wired backhaul mesh network for better performance and reliability.

Given, that I have over 50 devices (however at times I might have 60 to 70 devices connected at a time) with 16 of those devices are Google Nest Cameras (15) and one Arlo Camera connected to the WiFi network and event streaming to the cloud.  In addition, I also have multiple Google Chromecast Streaming devices (with 2-3 streaming at a time).  So I went to each device to look at the connection strength and which WiFi point is the device connected to.  Nearly all of the devices were showing Great Connection or an OK connection.

Just wanted to pass this info along to other who have option to use wired backhaul mesh network for better performance and reliability!

[Thisguys]

So, I would say that naming this a "Pro" is a bit misleading?  Sort of like an "Elite" training for a 6 year old athlete?  Too bad.  I was hoping this would be a solution since Costco sells them in 4 packs.  Should mention that two of the four packs puts you 3 more than you can use. lol