For anyone having AIMesh node add issues, here is my simple (but annoying) fix.
I just troubleshot my first AIMesh setup attempt an hour ago. It seems like it doesn't setup unless you have a wired (ethernet) connection between each router. Both are on their latest firmwares, and both had been fully reset. The AXE is the main router of course.
I tried to add the AC as a node like 20 times, moving it around the room and changing settings and it never worked. I tried reverting several admin settings to the defaults (per other users documented attempts) and those didn't solve it either.
I did wonder about a few things - length of admin password & presence of 6GHz config being two thoughts.
Once I used a network switch to have a connection to/between both of them, adding an AIMesh node (router) worked on the first try. After it connects, you can disconnect and relocate the router as needed for wireless only connectivity.
I just troubleshot my first AIMesh setup attempt an hour ago. It seems like it doesn't setup unless you have a wired (ethernet) connection between each router. Both are on their latest firmwares, and both had been fully reset. The AXE is the main router of course.
I tried to add the AC as a node like 20 times, moving it around the room and changing settings and it never worked. I tried reverting several admin settings to the defaults (per other users documented attempts) and those didn't solve it either.
I did wonder about a few things - length of admin password & presence of 6GHz config being two thoughts.
Once I used a network switch to have a connection to/between both of them, adding an AIMesh node (router) worked on the first try. After it connects, you can disconnect and relocate the router as needed for wireless only connectivity.