I am trying to add a second AiMesh node to my home network and I have been FRUSTRATINGLY unsuccessful.
My existing network setup has worked flawlessly for me, but I've added Ring cameras to the network and need a stronger signal for some cameras. See below for current network configuration.
So, I decided to add another AiMesh node.
I purchased a used RT-AC66U_B1 router for $11. It is in pristine shape. I'm hoping the router isn't bad. It boots up fine and I'm able to connect to it via its SSID, I can view its web configuration pages.
I reset the router to factory default and updated the Firmware to the current Asus firmware dated 03/02/2023.
Initially, I was able to successfully add the AiMesh node via an Ethernet connection.
But I wanted the node to be connected via Wi-Fi so after adding the node, I unplugged the Ethernet cable thinking the new AiMesh node would automatically connect to Wi-Fi but, it never connected to Wi-Fi. I thought I might have missed some setting in setup that would prevent the AiMesh node to connect via Wi-Fi, so I then deleted the new node via the Asus web interface and attempted to add the node again. Since that first and only successful add node, I have not been able to successfully add the AiMesh node again.
I have rebooted my main router and reset the new AiMesh node to factory defaults several times and NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP.
I have tried every approach I could find on the internet, viewed several YouTube videos and still no success.
I'm at a loss and looking for expert help.
Thank you.
Ed V
My Current network configuration is:
-------------------------
Main Router:
Model: RT-AC68U
Firmware: Merlin 386.9
-----------------------
current AIMESH node:
Model: RT-AC68U
Firmware: Merlin 386.9 - I have read about problems people have had when running Merlin Firmware on AIMESH nodes, but my setup has performed flawlessly for over 6 months.
Backhaul: Ethernet
------------------------
-----------------------
HERE'S THE NEW AIMESH node:
RT-AC66U_B1 (Note - The B1 model version is AiMesh capable)
Firmware - ASUS FW_RT_AC66U_B1_300438651255 (Latest Release 03/02/2023)
I have tried to add this new node via Wi-Fi and via ethernet cable too many times to count.
Sometimes the AIMESH node is found and sometimes not found.
After every unsuccessful attempt to add the node, I do a factory reset on the node before attempting to add again.
When I ADD NODE VIA WI-FI: The AiMesh node is found frequently after clicking on Search button or Add AiMesh node button.
When the node is found via WIFI, here's what happens:
After node is found, I click on the box showing the "found" Wi-Fi node and the Percentage indicator will move from 0% to 1% and pause for about 3 seconds, then the percentage indicator moves to 2% and then races (takes about 4 seconds) to 100% (this happens every single time) and displays a dialog saying:
(NOTE-I ADDED MY COMMENTS IN CAPS)
===================================
Unable to add node RT-AC66U B1
(7C:10:C9:00:xx:xx) to your Ai Mesh system due to the
following situations. Please check and try again.
1. Someone else is trying to set up an AiMesh system. Please
wait 1 minute and try again. (NOBODY ELSE IS ON MY NETWORK)
2. your AiMesh router and node should be within 3 meters of
each other during the setup process (THEY ARE-I've tried closer, and farther away)
3. Make sure your AiMesh node is powered on. (IT IS POWERED ON)
4. Your AiMesh node has been upgraded to AiMesh-supported
firmware. (LATEST ASUS FIRMWARE INSTALLED)
5. Your AiMesh node has been reset to default (I RESET BEFORE EVERY ATTEMPT)
========================================
When I ADD NODE VIA ETHERNET: This has rarely found the node via Ethernet. When it finds the node via ethernet, here's what happens:
After node is found, I click on the box showing the "found" ethernet node and the Percentage progress indicator will move from 0% to about 18% slowly and then races (takes about 3 seconds) to 100% and displays the same dialog as with the Wifi above.
========================================
My existing network setup has worked flawlessly for me, but I've added Ring cameras to the network and need a stronger signal for some cameras. See below for current network configuration.
So, I decided to add another AiMesh node.
I purchased a used RT-AC66U_B1 router for $11. It is in pristine shape. I'm hoping the router isn't bad. It boots up fine and I'm able to connect to it via its SSID, I can view its web configuration pages.
I reset the router to factory default and updated the Firmware to the current Asus firmware dated 03/02/2023.
Initially, I was able to successfully add the AiMesh node via an Ethernet connection.
But I wanted the node to be connected via Wi-Fi so after adding the node, I unplugged the Ethernet cable thinking the new AiMesh node would automatically connect to Wi-Fi but, it never connected to Wi-Fi. I thought I might have missed some setting in setup that would prevent the AiMesh node to connect via Wi-Fi, so I then deleted the new node via the Asus web interface and attempted to add the node again. Since that first and only successful add node, I have not been able to successfully add the AiMesh node again.
I have rebooted my main router and reset the new AiMesh node to factory defaults several times and NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP.
I have tried every approach I could find on the internet, viewed several YouTube videos and still no success.
I'm at a loss and looking for expert help.
Thank you.
Ed V
My Current network configuration is:
-------------------------
Main Router:
Model: RT-AC68U
Firmware: Merlin 386.9
-----------------------
current AIMESH node:
Model: RT-AC68U
Firmware: Merlin 386.9 - I have read about problems people have had when running Merlin Firmware on AIMESH nodes, but my setup has performed flawlessly for over 6 months.
Backhaul: Ethernet
------------------------
-----------------------
HERE'S THE NEW AIMESH node:
RT-AC66U_B1 (Note - The B1 model version is AiMesh capable)
Firmware - ASUS FW_RT_AC66U_B1_300438651255 (Latest Release 03/02/2023)
I have tried to add this new node via Wi-Fi and via ethernet cable too many times to count.
Sometimes the AIMESH node is found and sometimes not found.
After every unsuccessful attempt to add the node, I do a factory reset on the node before attempting to add again.
When I ADD NODE VIA WI-FI: The AiMesh node is found frequently after clicking on Search button or Add AiMesh node button.
When the node is found via WIFI, here's what happens:
After node is found, I click on the box showing the "found" Wi-Fi node and the Percentage indicator will move from 0% to 1% and pause for about 3 seconds, then the percentage indicator moves to 2% and then races (takes about 4 seconds) to 100% (this happens every single time) and displays a dialog saying:
(NOTE-I ADDED MY COMMENTS IN CAPS)
===================================
Unable to add node RT-AC66U B1
(7C:10:C9:00:xx:xx) to your Ai Mesh system due to the
following situations. Please check and try again.
1. Someone else is trying to set up an AiMesh system. Please
wait 1 minute and try again. (NOBODY ELSE IS ON MY NETWORK)
2. your AiMesh router and node should be within 3 meters of
each other during the setup process (THEY ARE-I've tried closer, and farther away)
3. Make sure your AiMesh node is powered on. (IT IS POWERED ON)
4. Your AiMesh node has been upgraded to AiMesh-supported
firmware. (LATEST ASUS FIRMWARE INSTALLED)
5. Your AiMesh node has been reset to default (I RESET BEFORE EVERY ATTEMPT)
========================================
When I ADD NODE VIA ETHERNET: This has rarely found the node via Ethernet. When it finds the node via ethernet, here's what happens:
After node is found, I click on the box showing the "found" ethernet node and the Percentage progress indicator will move from 0% to about 18% slowly and then races (takes about 3 seconds) to 100% and displays the same dialog as with the Wifi above.
========================================
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