How to set up a mesh Wi-Fi network at home

You can set up a mesh Wi-Fi network in about 30 minutes with a phone, your modem and the units in the box. By the end you will have one network name covering your whole home, with the main unit connected to your modem and the extra nodes placed where they strengthen the signal. This guide uses three popular Wi-Fi 7 systems as examples, the TP-Link Deco BE63, the eero Pro 7 and the NETGEAR Orbi 770, but the steps apply to nearly any mesh system.

Before you start

Time needed: 20 to 40 minutes.

What you need:

• Your mesh system, with its power adapters and Ethernet cable.
• Your modem, or the fibre or cable box from your internet provider.
• A smartphone with Bluetooth and the brand’s app installed.
• Your internet account details, in case you need to log in.
• A mains socket near your modem and near where each node will go.

The TP-Link Deco BE63 uses the Deco app. It is a tri-band BE10000 system with four 2.5 Gbps ports on every unit, optional wired backhaul and coverage of up to 5,800 sq ft for a two-pack.

The eero Pro 7 uses the eero app and has multi-gig ports and a simple setup flow.

The NETGEAR Orbi 770 uses NETGEAR’s Orbi app and is designed for larger homes.

Tip

Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems also work with older devices. You do not need new phones or laptops to benefit from better coverage.

Decide first whether you want to use wired backhaul. If your home has Ethernet sockets in different rooms, using them to connect nodes gives the best speeds. If not, wireless backhaul works well in most homes.

Step 1: Plan where the units will go

Walk through your home and note where the Wi-Fi is weak now.

1. Put the main unit near your modem, ideally in a central, open position rather than a corner.
2. Place nodes about one to two rooms away from the main unit, between it and the dead spot, rather than in the dead spot itself.
3. Keep units off the floor and away from metal objects, microwaves and thick walls where possible.
4. In a multi-storey home, place at least one unit on each floor, roughly above one another or offset to cover the middle.

Step 2: Connect the main unit to your modem

1. Switch off your modem for a few seconds, then unplug it from the power.
2. Connect the main unit’s WAN port to the modem with the supplied Ethernet cable.
3. Plug in the main unit and power the modem back on.
4. Wait for the indicator light to show that the unit is ready for setup. Check your system’s manual for the exact light colour.

Step 3: Use the app to create your network

1. Install the app (Deco, eero or Orbi) on your phone and create an account.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to find the main unit. This usually uses Bluetooth.
3. Choose a network name and a strong password. A password of at least 12 characters is a good start.
4. Let the app finish configuring the connection to your internet provider.

If you want your devices to reconnect automatically, you can reuse your old network name and password. If not, you will have to reconnect each device.

Step 4: Add the extra nodes

1. Plug each node into power in its planned spot.
2. In the app, choose to add a unit and follow the prompts.
3. Wait for the node to connect and check the signal quality the app reports.
4. If the app reports a weak connection, move the node closer to the main unit and try again.

Step 5: Wire the nodes if you can

Connecting nodes with Ethernet is optional but worthwhile. Plug the main unit into the wall socket or switch, and connect the node’s Ethernet port to the socket in the other room. The Deco BE63 supports optional wired backhaul. The app will usually detect the cable and switch the connection automatically.

Step 6: Update and secure the system

1. Check for firmware updates in the app and install them.
2. Turn on automatic updates if available.
3. Create a separate guest network for visitors and smart-home devices if the system supports it.
4. Review optional security and parental-control features. Some, such as HomeShield on the Deco BE63, need a paid subscription for advanced features.

Step 7: Test and tune

1. Walk around with your phone and check the signal in each room.
2. Run a speed test near the main unit and in the furthest room.
3. Move any nodes that report weak links.
4. Reconnect devices that did not automatically join the new network.

Wired or wireless backhaul?

Backhaul is the link between your mesh units. It decides how much of your speed survives the trip to a distant room.

Tri-band systems, such as all three examples here, reserve one band for traffic between units, which makes wireless backhaul much better than on older dual-band systems. Even so, a cable is the single biggest upgrade you can make to a mesh network.

How many units do you need?

Manufacturers publish coverage figures, and the TP-Link Deco BE63 two-pack is rated for up to 5,800 sq ft. Those figures are best-case, so treat them as a guide. A rough approach:

• Small flat or one-storey home: one or two units.
• Medium two-storey home: two or three units, one per floor.
• Large home or one with thick walls: three or more, and consider wired backhaul.

Dense materials such as brick, concrete, metal and foil insulation absorb Wi-Fi, so a home with lots of them may need more units than its floor area suggests.

Which of the three should you set up?

All three examples are Wi-Fi 7 tri-band systems, so the choice comes down to ports, apps and price.

• The TP-Link Deco BE63 offers four 2.5 Gbps ports per unit, which makes it a strong choice if you want to wire up a desktop, console or storage.
• The eero Pro 7 is known for simple, polished setup and multi-gig ports.
• The NETGEAR Orbi 770 is aimed at larger homes.

Prices vary by retailer and pack size, so compare current listings, and check whether any features you want need a monthly subscription.

Settings worth checking after setup

• Network name and band steering. Most mesh systems use a single name for all bands and choose the best one for each device automatically. Keep this unless a smart-home device refuses to connect.
• Guest network. Keep visitors and smart-home gadgets away from your computers and files.
• Quality of service or priority devices. Prioritise a work laptop or console if you have many users.
• Reserved addresses. If you run a printer, camera or network storage, give it a fixed address so it does not change.
• Parental controls and filtering. Useful for families, though advanced options can need a subscription.
• Automatic updates. Keep them on so security fixes arrive without effort.

Note

If your internet provider’s modem also acts as a router, you may be able to switch it to bridge or modem-only mode so that your mesh system handles Wi-Fi and routing alone. Check your provider’s instructions first.

Placement mistakes to avoid

1. Putting the main unit in a cupboard or behind the TV. Walls and electronics weaken the signal.
2. Placing nodes in the dead spot. A node needs a good signal from the previous unit to share it.
3. Stacking units too close together. Nodes next to each other add little coverage.
4. Placing units on the floor. Raise them to shelf or table height.
5. Ignoring interference. Microwaves, baby monitors and cordless phones can disrupt 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.

Keeping it healthy

A mesh network needs little attention, but a few habits keep it reliable. Restart the units once in a while if you notice slowdowns, check the app for firmware updates, review your connected devices, and change your Wi-Fi password if you think someone you do not know has it. If you move house or rearrange furniture, check your coverage again, since small changes can matter.

Troubleshooting

If problems persist, restart each unit one at a time, check for updates, and contact the manufacturer’s support.

What to do next

Once the network is working, rename your devices in the app, set up a guest network, and consider scheduling reboots or updates for off-peak hours. Review the connected devices list from time to time, and remove any that you do not recognise.