set up additional Google Wifi point

[bobmoore]

I am trying to set up a mesh network with a newly purchased 3-pack of first generation Google Wifi points. I set up the primary access point with an ethernet connection to a Motorola MG7700 cable-modem-plus-router on Comcast Xfinity broadband. The primary access point setup went smoothly and connecting devices (Pixel phone, Nest thermostat, Sonos smart speaker) to the internet over the new wifi has no problems.

My problem is that if i try to set up another wifi point, the setup proceeds as if I am installing another primary point. It asks me to connect an ethernet cable to an internet connection, which it shouldn't need to do -- it should connect to the primary point over wifi. If I do connect by an ethernet cable to the internet, it starts down the path of creating a new wifi network with a new password. How do I make the setup of the additional point connect to the primary point over wifi? The two Google Wifi points are sitting inches apart from each other, so signal strength should not be a factor.

[olavrb]

Here is some general advice if you're having problems with adding additional units to the network.

The general set up guidance walk you through how to add additional units:
• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9548301?hl=en

If you're using an iOS or iPadOS for the setup, see the following:
• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/12961504?hl=en
Make sure "HTTP Proxy" is set to "none".
• https://www.expressvpn.com/support/troubleshooting/disable-proxy-safari
And make sure "Private IP Address" (Mac randomization) is disabled.
• https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/security/secb9cb3140c/web
• https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211227

For whatever device you use for setup (iOS, iPadOS or Android), make sure any VPN are disabled, and that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled. Also make sure to use the latest version of the Google Home app.

Some other tips that can help:
• Place the unit you're trying to add close to the primary unit during the setup process. When setup is done and unit has updated itself and rebooted, unplug its' power and move it where you want it.
• If the additional unit also has ethernet ports, try to connect its' WAN port to the primary/main/master unit's LAN port with an ethernet cable during setup.
• IPv6 has caused trouble in the past when adding additional units. Try to disable IPv6 in the Google Home app -> WiFi (icon) -> Network settings -> Advanced networking. Keep it disabled until unit is added. Enable IPv6 again if you need it.
• If the unit you're trying to add isn't brand new, make sure it's factory reset ( https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6246619?hl=en ) and ready for setup.
• Try the setup process from a different iOS, iPadOS or Android unit. Make sure to use the same Google account inside the Google Home app.
• Make sure not to run double NAT, as it can cause strange problems and performance degradation ( https://dongknows.com/double-nat-vs-single-nat/ ). Disable the routing functionality, DHCP, firewall and Wi-Fi in any equipment in front of the first/main/master Nest Wifi unit.
• Don't mix the new Nest Wifi Pro with older Google Wifi and Nest Wifi, as it's not backwards compatible.

Be aware that Nest Wifi units are made for different countries/regions in order to comply with Wi-Fi regulations (frequencies, channels and signal strength). Mixing units made for different regions are not supported. The Google Home app should warn you if that's the case, but it doesn't always do that.

[bobmoore]

Thanks for all those suggestions, but I solved the problem in a way that suggests the problem was with the Google Home app setup for Google Wifi, and nothing to do with any configuration or settings issues. I solved the problem simply by starting over, reinstalling the primary access point, and then saying "yes" to installing an additional access point without exiting the initial access point setup. Doing it this way, everything went smoothly and both access points were correctly setup in a mesh network.

It turned out that two access points are all I need for good coverage of my entire house, but since the 3-pack came with an additional access point, as a test, I tried to begin the installation of the third access point after exiting from the installation of the first two. Even though I now had a working mesh network, the installation still tried to make the third access point a primary access point, asking me to connect it to the internet with an ethernet cable. It seems that adding an addition point to an existing network simply does not work for me, even though the Google Home app easily sets up multiple access points when done all at the same time. This clearly seems like an issue with the Google Home app setup for Google WifI, rather than with my configuration and settings.