Adding a child node to the Linksys Dual-Band EasyMesh WiFi Router

The Linksys Dual-Band EasyMesh™ WiFi Router lets you enjoy the power of WiFi® technology.  It delivers enhanced speed, range, and security for all your networking needs which allows you to swiftly stream HD videos, surf, email, play games online, and chat.  It now supports the EasyMesh feature so you can add other EasyMesh child nodes to extend your WiFi. 

This article will provide instructions on how to add an EasyMesh child node.

Before you begin:
 
  • Use a computer, tablet or mobile device connected to your EasyMesh network.
  • A parent node is the router connected to your modem.
  • A child node is another Linksys EasyMesh router that will extend your WiFi, creating an EasyMesh network.
  • All parent and child nodes must have the latest firmware that supports EasyMesh.
    • You may have to manually update the firmware on a child node before you add it to your network.  For instructions, click here.
  • Velop and Mesh routers are not compatible with Linksys EasyMesh products.
  • Supported child nodes are Linksys E8450, E7350 and E5600.
  • There are several ways to add an EasyMesh child node to the parent node.
    • Adding a child node using the Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) button
      • Quick and easy method
      • The parent node must be set up and online with the EasyMesh feature turned ON.  To turn ON the EasyMesh feature on your router, click here.
    • Adding a child node during the setup of the parent node using the setup wizard - If you are installing the parent node for the first time or you have reset the parent node, you can add an EasyMesh child node at the same time as you are setting up your parent node.
    • Adding a child node through the web interface of the parent node - If the parent node is already set up and you prefer to add the child node through the parent node’s web interface instead of using the WPS button, you can use this method.

Adding an EasyMesh child node using the WPS button
Adding an EasyMesh child node using the setup wizard
Adding an EasyMesh child node through the parent node’s web interface
 
Adding an EasyMesh child node using the WPS button
 
Step 1:
Power ON your child node and wait until the power light turns solid blue.

Step 2:
Press the WPS button on the parent node for 3 seconds.  The power light will then start to flash.

Step 3:
Now press the WPS button on the child node for 3 seconds.  The power light will start to flash.

Step 4:
When pairing is successful, the power light on the parent and child nodes and the internet light on the child node will turn solid blue.

You have now added an EasyMesh child node to extend your WiFi.  The child node will appear on the Mesh information table by its default WiFi name.
 
Adding an EasyMesh child node using the setup wizard

NOTE:  The following is an example of adding a Linksys E8450 child node to a Linksys E8450 parent node.
 
Step 1:
Connect an ethernet cable from the internet port of the parent node to your modem.  This will become your parent node.

Step 2:
Power cycle your modem.

NOTE:  Once the power light is solid blue, your node is ready for setup.

Step 3:
Connect a WiFi computer to the default WiFi of the parent node. 

NOTE:  If you need to set up using a hardwired computer, connect your computer to one of the ethernet ports at the back of the parent node.
 
 

Step 4:
Open a browser and follow the instructions below.
 
  • For Linksys E7350 and E8450:  With the latest firmware, an HTTPS connection is required.  Enter "https://myrouter.local" for macOS® or "https://myrouter" for Windows®.  You can also enter the default IP address of the router "https://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar then press [Enter].  If your router is connected to an existing upstream connection, you can try “https://10.0.0.1” for Linksys E8450, and “https://192.168.10.1” for Linksys E7350.
 
NOTE:  If you run into browser error messages due to the HTTPS connection, click here to continue.
 
  • For Linksys E5600:  Enter "http://myrouter.local" for macOS® or "http://myrouter" for Windows®.  You can also enter the IP address of the router "http://192.168.1.1" or “http://192.168.11.1” if connected to an existing network in the Address bar then press [Enter].
 
IMPORTANT:  If you changed the IP address of the router, use that instead.  If you still can't access the login screen, you need to determine your router's IP address.  To do this, make sure you are connected to your router's WiFi.  To learn how to check the IP address of your router, click here.

Step 5:
Click on the I have read and accept the License Terms for using this software radio button.  Then, click Next to proceed.

 

Step 6:
Enter your new 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Network Names and Passwords.

NOTE:  You can use the same Network Name and Password for both bands.
 
 
 
Step 7:
Create a Router Password and click Next.  You can use this password to log in to the router’s web interface and update its settings.
 
 

QUICK TIP:  Once you fulfill the password requirements, the Password verification succeeded message will appear.

Step 8:
Review your new settings, then click Next.
 
 

Step 9: 
Connect to your new WiFi name to continue the setup.  Use the credentials provided on the screen to reconnect.
 
 

Step 10: 
Click on Yes.
 
 

Step 11: 
Give the parent node a name and click on Next.
 
 

Step 12: 
Plug in your child node and wait for the power light to turn solid blue.  Then, click Next.

 

Step 13: 
Press the WPS button on the back of the child node for 3 seconds and click OK.  The power light will begin to blink.
 
 

The pairing between the parent and child nodes will begin. 

 

Step 14: 
Create a name for your child node.  Click on Next.
 
 

Step 15: 
Once you get a successful message, click Next.  The power light on the parent and child nodes, and the Internet light on the child node will turn solid blue.
 
 

Step 16: 
If you have more child nodes to add, click Yes and repeat the process.  Otherwise, click on No, I’m done.

 

Step 17: 
Register your device and click on Next.
 
 

NOTE:  You may also click Skip.

Step 18: 
Make sure to check the Automatic updates checkbox and click on Next.
 
 

Step 19: 
Click Check Firmware to see if there is an available firmware and proceed with the update or click Done.
 
 

Step 20: 
Once everything is finished, click Done.
 
 

You should now have successfully set up the parent node and added a child node using the setup wizard.

Adding an EasyMesh child node through the parent node’s web interface

NOTE:  The following is an example of adding a Linksys E8450 child node to a Linksys E8450 parent node.
 
Step 1:
Plug in your child node and wait for the power light to turn solid blue.

Step 2:
Open a browser and follow the instructions below.
 
  • For Linksys E7350 and E8450:  With the latest firmware, an HTTPS connection is required.  Enter "https://myrouter.local" for macOS® or "https://myrouter" for Windows®.  You can also enter the default IP address of the router "https://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar then press [Enter].  If your router is connected to an existing upstream connection, you can try “https://10.0.0.1” for Linksys E8450, and “https://192.168.10.1” for Linksys E7350.
 
NOTE:  If you run into browser error messages due to the HTTPS connection, click here to continue.
 
  • For Linksys E5600:  Enter "http://myrouter.local" for macOS® or "http://myrouter" for Windows®.  You can also enter the IP address of the router "http://192.168.1.1" or “http://192.168.11.1” if connected to an existing network in the Address bar then press [Enter].

IMPORTANT:  If you changed the IP address of the router, use that instead.  If you still can't access the login screen, you need to determine your router's IP address.  To do this, make sure you are connected to your router's WiFi.  To learn how to check the IP address of your router, click here.

Step 3:
Log in using the password of the parent node.

Step 4:
Go to Configuration > WiFi > Basic Wireless Settings.

Step 5:
Make sure the EasyMesh feature is enabled.  Then, click on Add a new node.
 
 

Step 6:
A prompt will appear asking you to press the WPS button.  Press the WPS button on the back of the child node for 3 seconds and click on OK.  The power light on the child and parent nodes will start flashing.
 
 

The pairing between the parent and child nodes will begin.
 
 

Step 7:
Create a name for your child node.  Then, click on Next.

 

Step 8: 
Once you get a successful message, click Close.  The power light on the parent and child nodes, and the internet light on the child node will turn solid blue.

 
 
You have now successfully added the child node to your network.

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