SmartThings WiFi Mesh Ethernet Backhaul No Longer Working

Devices & Integrations
38

Hi-

(First message is that I tried to delete and re-add the ST Wifi sub-hubs as directed in the app by plugging directly into the modem during setup and this still did not work. . . so here is the new plan/execution).

Two days ago I made about the same transition, and it went flawlessly (so far). I bought the Deco AXE5300 from Costco. A couple of things that I did differently than you (or might be different about my situation):

  1. My original setup: I had 3 ST WiFi Mesh Hubs using ethernet wired backhaul fed by a switch. So original configuration was modem-ST wifi hub-switch. I should add that all of my home automation devices are Z-wave, and I ran the whole automation scheme through the ST app on my iphone.
  2. Step 1 was to rename the ST Wifi Network (I just added the word “Legacy” in front of the original name and was sure to save this name and new password.)
  3. Step 2 was to delete the ST Wifi sub hubs in the app and power them off/remove from the network never to return.
  4. Step 3 - power off the remaining ST Wifi hub.
  5. Step 4- install the Deco hub/subhubs. Layout was modem-Deco main hub-switch-Deco sub hubs wired backhaul from switch. I used the original network name so that all the TV’s/computers/phones in house would reconnect. This process went flawlessly, and speeds across my house improve by about 20% (upload speed doubled!)
  6. Step 5- I then powered on the old ST Wifi hub (just the one) and plugged it into the switch. It automatically went into bridge mode, and generated the “legacy” wifi network. All ST hub functions via the app worked perfectly, and the system didn’t seem to need the ST sub hubs to get wave signal to devices throughout the home.

Thinking about your problems, I wonder if plugging ST into your switch instead of the Deco hub might help (although it would seem not to matter whether the router works before or after the switch). But more likely, you may have to have two networks. The hard choice will be keeping the old network SSID on ST (if your wifi iot devices need this info), and then having to enter passwords on the new wifi network for the rest of the house, or the reverse (having to re-add all the ST wifi devices.

I am no expert here. These are just some musings about what worked for me, and what I might try in your shoes.

The Deco network (6E) is amazingly faster and covers more of the house, so overall I think I am happy with the outcome.

Good luck!

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