Google Nest Wifi setup - new wifi network or boost old wifi?

[TheKoFamily]

Hi. When I installed my Google nest wifi router and points, it asked for a wifi network name. I typed in a different name than our original wifi. Now, apparently we have two wifi networks going in the house, the new Google one and the original one. I fear that now with 2 networks, they aren’t as fast as combining the Google Nest with the old one could be.

 Should I have typed in the name of our original wifi? I’m a bit confused and appreciate any guidance. 

[MichaelP · Accepted solution]

Hello @TheKoFamily 

It sounds like you have an existing "outer" router that is likely a combined modem + router + WiFi access point and is what your Nest WiFi Router is connected to. If that's the case, then it is still providing WiFi using the old network name (SSID) while Nest WiFi is providing WiFi using the new network name. This isn't a huge problem, typically, but isn't ideal. If you had left the old one running like this and named the new network the same, it would have caused more potential problems, since they aren't the same network. So, it's probably best that you used a new name.

That said, if you can investigate reconfiguring your old modem+router+WiFi to disable its WiFi (and ideally just be in "bridge" mode), that would eliminate that old network. If you can't do that, then at least reconfigure all of your existing WiFi devices to forget the old name and only use the new one. That way they can all be on the same network together.

[MichaelP · Accepted solution]

Hello @TheKoFamily 

It sounds like you have an existing "outer" router that is likely a combined modem + router + WiFi access point and is what your Nest WiFi Router is connected to. If that's the case, then it is still providing WiFi using the old network name (SSID) while Nest WiFi is providing WiFi using the new network name. This isn't a huge problem, typically, but isn't ideal. If you had left the old one running like this and named the new network the same, it would have caused more potential problems, since they aren't the same network. So, it's probably best that you used a new name.

That said, if you can investigate reconfiguring your old modem+router+WiFi to disable its WiFi (and ideally just be in "bridge" mode), that would eliminate that old network. If you can't do that, then at least reconfigure all of your existing WiFi devices to forget the old name and only use the new one. That way they can all be on the same network together.

[MplsCustomer · Accepted solution]

@TheKoFamily 

Just one note on @MichaelP  's suggestion to disable the Wi-Fi on your old modem/router. If you do that, then your only Wi-Fi access points will be the ones on your new Google Nest Wi-Fi router and points, and your old modem/router will no longer be broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal. That's not necessarily bad; it's just something to consider as you position your Wi-Fi points to provide coverage throughout your house.

[EdwardT]

Hi folks,

@MichaelP and MplsCustomer, thanks for the help!

@TheKoFamily, how's it going? Were you able to try the steps provided by MichaelP and MplsCustomer? Let us know if you have other questions and we'd be glad to help.

Thanks,

Edward

[TheKoFamily]

Great, thank you for checking in. 

[EdwardT]

Hi TheKoFamily,

Thanks for the update. I will be locking this thread in 24 hours. Please feel free to create a new thread should you have some more questions or concerns in the near future and we'll be more than glad to help.

Thanks,

Edward

[TheKoFamily]

Thank you both for this helpful information. I’ll try it this weekend. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.