Linksys Intelligent Mesh FAQs



HARDWARE INFORMATION
What is the Linksys Intelligent Mesh WiFi System?The Linksys Intelligent Mesh WiFi System is made up of modular nodes that work seamlessly together to fit the needs of any home and deliver flawless WiFi wherever you want it. The family of nodes comes in various sizes that work perfectly together and are beautifully designed to blend in any environment, making it easy to customize the best WiFi solution that’s right for you, regardless of your home's shape or size. And, with superior tri-band performance and Intelligent Mesh™ technology that adapts to your WiFi needs, you’ll always be on the fastest path to the internet. 
What are the parts of the node?Below are the parts of a node:
 

Ports - one power, two gigabit ethernet ports (configurable as one internet port and one ethernet port for the first or parent node and two ethernet ports for the additional nodes)

Light - top panel status indicator light

Button - reset button

Switch - power switch

What are the product features of the Linksys Intelligent Mesh?

Below are the Linksys Intelligent Mesh product features:
 

Tri-band network

802.11ac

Next generation AC2200

Intelligent Mesh WiFi system

Seamless roaming

2x2 Spatial streams

Full speed everywhere

Cross-channel solution

Spot Finder technology

Beamforming

Guided setup

Guest WiFi

Basic Parental Controls

Subscription-based Linksys Shield and Linksys Aware

Network Security (included with a Linksys Shield subscription)

Supports Apple® HomeKit®

Speed Check

Notifications

Two gigabit ethernet ports

What are the requirements to set up a mesh system?

Internet connection with modem or modem router (gateway)

Latest iOS or Android™ mobile device

The latest version of the Linksys app

Supported iOS or Android mobile devices with a WiFi connection

Bluetooth® (preferred for setup)
 

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What is the warranty period of the mesh system? The warranty period is dependent on the country of purchase.
Does the node come with a power adapter? Yes. Each node comes with a 12V, 2A power adapter.
What does the light on top of my node indicate? The light indicates the different states and activities of your node.
Can the radio waves emitted by the nodes affect my health? Linksys mesh complies with all regional regulatory and safety requirements governing output power levels and specific absorption rates. It is safe to use based on the guidelines set forth by each country or region’s regulatory bodies.
Why are there holes all over my node?The holes provide ventilation to prevent overheating.

SETUP AND INSTALLATION 
How do I set up the parent node in the mesh system? Mesh setup is easy using the Linksys app. To set up your first or parent node, choose from the links below for specific instructions based on your device.

Android
iOS
LinksysSmartWiFi.com
Web browser setup for Linksys WHW003
When attempting to access the LinksysSmartWiFi.com page, I am getting an error. What should I do?With the latest firmware, you are now required to use HTTPS. When you log in using "http://192.168.1.1", a static page that displays steps on how to proceed to log in will appear. The easier option, however, is to just re-enter the IP address using HTTPS.
How do I add another node to my mesh system? You can add another node to your mesh system.
How do I set up the first or parent node with a PPPoE connection?sf50239-004_en_v2.png
Can I hardwire my nodes together?Yes. If your home is already wired with ethernet, you may want to take advantage of these connections to increase the range and speed of your mesh system and reduce WiFi interference.

You still have to set up all nodes wirelessly with the Linksys app. Once a node is set up, you can
connect it with an ethernet cable to another node. Nodes need to be plugged into a power source. 
Does it support IPv6?Yes.
Does this support IPv6 RD for its internet connection?Yes. It supports IPv6 RD and 6to4 tunneling.
Does it support VPN passthrough?Yes. It supports Internet Protocol Security (IPSec), Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), and Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP).
What should I do with my old router after setting up the mesh system?Recycle it or give it to a friend. The mesh system is a complete replacement for your old router.
Is there a maximum number of nodes I can have in my mesh system? The maximum number of nodes that can be added is still being tested by the Linksys engineering team. We have tested 12 nodes in a single system.
Is it compatible with DOCSIS 3.0 modem? Yes. It works with any DOCSIS 3.0 modem.
Can I connect wired devices to my mesh network? Yes. If you have an available ethernet port on one of your configured nodes, you can connect a wired device with an ethernet cable.
Can I add a switch to my mesh network? Yes. You can use an available ethernet port on any of your nodes to connect your switch
Does the node have a web interface that I can log in to? Yes. You can log in to the LinksysSmartWiFi.com page.
Can I set up my mesh system using LinksysSmartWifi.com? Yes. Choose from the links below for specific instructions based on your device.

LinksysSmartWiFi.com
Web browser setup for Linksys WHW03
Can a node replace a router?Yes. That’s exactly what the first or parent node is for.
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Will I be able to use both 5 GHz bands if the nodes are wired together?In the case of a wired mesh system, both of the 5 GHz bands can be used.
I purchased a node, can I set it up to extend the signal of my existing router?No. If you have an existing router on the network, you can connect your node using an ethernet cable and set the node in DHCP or Bridge Mode. You can also add child nodes that repeat the signal of the first or parent node.
How many nodes can I add to my network?You can add as many nodes to your home as you’d like since every home is unique. Take your home’s layout into consideration when figuring out the optimal number of nodes you need for your home. This includes length, number of rooms, and any potential interference-inducing obstacles like brick walls, metal doors, or large appliances.

Ideally, the node connected to your modem is centrally located in your home. It’s okay if that’s not possible in your particular setup, but we recommend doing so when you can. We typically recommend one to two nodes per floor. You can always start there and test out various ways of placing your node to maximize your coverage. Since every home is different, you can always add a node where needed.

If your home is already wired with an ethernet connection, you may want to take advantage of these connections to increase the range of your mesh network and reduce the risk of WiFi interference.
Learn more
Is the Linksys Mesh WiFi system compatible with Starlink?Yes. For the Linksys router to work with Starlink, you will need a Starlink ethernet adapter which you can find in the Starlink shop. Connect one end of the ethernet cable to the Starlink ethernet adapter and the other end to the Internet port of your Linksys router. Learn how to set up the Linksys router with Starlink.

FIRMWARE UPGRADE
How do I upgrade the nodes’ firmware? sf50239-006_en_v2.png
How do I check the firmware version of my node? The firmware version can be found in the Linksys app on the Network Administration screen.

FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS
How do I access my dashboard through the Linksys app? Learn how to access the Linksys app dashboard using an Android.
How do I access my dashboard through LinksysSmartWifi.com? sf50239-007_en_v2.png
What is the Devices section of the Linksys app?The Devices section gives you information on the devices connected to your system. 
What is the Priority feature?The Priority feature allows you to choose up to three devices for priority usage of your internet connection. Those devices, whether wired or wireless, will always have the best access when connecting to the internet.
What is the Parental Controls feature?The Parental Controls feature allows you to manage internet usage by blocking access per device, blocking specific sites per device, and by setting a schedule for a device. 
What is the Guest Access feature?The Guest Access feature is a way for guests in your home to use your internet connection without having access to your other computers or devices in the network.
What is the Speed Check feature?The Speed Check feature measures your mesh network's download (from the internet) and upload (to the internet) speeds.
How do I use the Channel Finder feature?The Channel Finder feature selects the channel with the least amount of traffic for each node in your mesh system.
How can I tell if I am logged in via the server or local account?Learn the difference through the links below:

Android
iOS
How many WiFi names does the mesh system broadcast?The mesh system displays one WiFi name for the entire tri-band network. However, with the latest firmware version, you can now give the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands different WiFi names through the LinksysSmartWifi.com page.
How many Guest WiFi names does the mesh system broadcast?The mesh system displays one Guest WiFi name for the entire tri-band network.
What is the default Guest Access name and password?The default Guest name is _VelopSetupxxx-guest and the default password is blank. It is strongly recommended to enable Guest Access, rename your Guest WiFi name, and add a password.
How many websites can be blocked using Parental Controls?You can block up to 10 specific websites.
How many devices can I prioritize using Priority?You can choose up to three devices to prioritize.
What is Intelligent Mesh WiFi System?The mesh system is an Intelligent Mesh WiFi system, which means the nodes can connect over wired or wireless links and will choose the best path to route the data between a client and the internet. If a node loses its connection to another node, the remaining nodes will self-heal and reestablish an internet connection through other nodes in the network.
What is a parent or child node?The node that is wired to your modem/modem router (gateway) is the parent node. All additional nodes you install in your mesh system are child nodes.
Does it have a DHCP server?Yes. The parent node (node connected to your modem with an internet connection) has a DHCP server.
Does it have a NAT Firewall?Yes, the parent node (node connected to your modem with an internet connection) has a NAT Firewall with Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) feature.
Does it have a MAC Filtering feature?Yes. The node has a Wi-Fi MAC Filters feature that allows or blocks specific MAC addresses from connecting to your WiFi.
Can I turn OFF the broadcasting of my WiFi name?No.
Can I personalize the WiFi settings of my mesh system?Yes. To do this log in to the Linksys app, tap on the menu icon on the upper left side of the screen then go to Wi-Fi Settings. You can also personalize your WiFi settings through the LinksysSmartWifi.com page. 
What does Reserve DHCP mean?Reserve DHCP assigns a permanent IP address to a specific DHCP client. To reserve an IP address, follow the steps below:

1. Log in to the Linksys app.

2. Tap on the menu icon at the upper-left portion of the screen and then tap Devices.

3. Tap your online device under Connected Devices.

4. Tap Reserve DHCP.
 
Reserving an IP address can take up to 1 minute. After an IP address has been reserved, you can tap Reserved IP to change the reserved WiFi IP address if needed.
How do I find the best location for the node?During setup, the Spot Finder feature will recommend the best placement of your nodes to provide the most coverage and fastest speeds throughout your home.
How do I configure the DNS Settings of my mesh system?You can configure the Domain Name System (DNS) settings on the Local Network Settings of your mesh network. 
How do I check the IP address range of my mesh network?On the dashboard of the Linksys app, tap on the menu icon and then Advanced Settings > Local Network Settings > IP address range.
Why do my nodes broadcast the same WiFi name?If you have set up a parent node and added child nodes in your mesh system, they will work as one seamless network to provide reliable, secure, and super-fast WiFi for your home.
How do I check if the nodes in my mesh network are online and working?On the dashboard of the Linksys app, tap on the menu icon and then tap Network Administration. All your connected nodes are listed here. You can tap on a node to view its information.
Why is my old router still broadcasting its WiFi name even if the mesh system has been set up and working properly?Below are some of the possible reasons:

Your old router is still plugged in. To solve this, unplug it.

If you have a modem router (gateway) and a mesh system, you might have two different private networks on your WiFi also known as double network address translation or double NAT. You can disable or keep the WiFi name on the modem router (gateway), but it might interfere with seamless roaming on your mesh system. We recommend disabling the extra WiFi name or putting the modem router (gateway) in Bridge Mode.
How do I connect to the WiFi using the WPS PIN?With the latest firmware, the WPS feature is disabled by default. To use this feature, you will need to first enable it.

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What are the best security practices for Linksys devices?Configuring your devices' security settings ensure that your network is safe from unauthorized access, malicious intents, and any cyber attackers.

TROUBLESHOOTING 
How can I reset the node to factory defaults?sf50239-009_en_v2.png
How do I recover my admin password?With the latest firmware, the Linksys WHW03 no longer uses “admin” as the default password. You will need to create one. You can recover your admin password without resetting your mesh system. 
How do I restart my mesh network?You can now restart your mesh system from the Linksys app.
Is there a HomeKit limitation?Yes, up to four child nodes are supported.
I have five (or more) child nodes in my network but I only see four child nodes in the Apple® Home app. Why are my other child nodes not being detected? We currently support the parent node and up to four child nodes. If you have more than four child nodes, those nodes will not be detected when you are connecting your mesh network to the Apple Home app.
My Linksys mesh router isn't working with my ISP's 5G router. What should I do? For the Linksys mesh router to work with a 5G router, your ISP must provide a 5G router with an ethernet port for connection to the parent node.

SPECIAL FEATURES
What is Bridge Mode? Bridge Mode allows you to use your mesh system to extend your existing network. If you have an existing router or modem router (gateway) and you want to continue using your main router, you can enhance your WiFi using the mesh system.

When in Bridge Mode, your mesh network will not have its separate network. All nodes and devices connected to the nodes will be part of your existing network. All devices, whether they are connected to a node or the modem router (gateway), should be able to communicate with each other.
How do I set my Mesh into Bridge Mode? First, set up your parent node with the Linksys app using an iOS device or Android device.

Once your node is set up and running, you can then
change the Connection Type to Bridge Mode using the Linksys app.
Where can I find the Bridge Mode setting? If you are accessing the dashboard through the Linksys app, tap on the menu icon and then tap Advanced Settings > Internet Settings. In the Connection Type section, select Bridge Mode.

If you are accessing it via the LinksysSmartWifi.com page, go to Connectivity > Internet Settings > Edit. In the Connection Type section, select Bridge Mode.
Why don’t I see Bridge Mode in my Linksys app? Make sure you have the latest version of the Linksys app. Your nodes should also be running the latest firmware version.
How can I tell if my node is in Bridge Mode? A message BRIDGE MODE will appear on the home page of the dashboard.
What features are disabled when the mesh network is in Bridge Mode?

When your mesh is in Bridge Mode, the following features are disabled:

Device List

Wi-Fi MAC Filters

Speed Check

Parental Controls

Device Prioritization

Port Forwarding

Do I need to leave the parent node hardwired to my existing router? Yes. The parent node must always stay connected via an ethernet cable to your existing router.
Do I need to connect all child nodes via ethernet to my existing network? No. Child nodes can be connected wirelessly or with an ethernet cable.

If you ever need to change the mode back to Router Mode (or any other mode besides Bridge Mode), any child node connected with an ethernet cable may go offline.
How can I find the IP address of my nodes? Open the dashboard of the Linksys app, tap on the menu icon and then tap Network Administration. Select a node to view the IP address or tap IP Details to see the IP addresses for all nodes in your mesh system.

You can also check your router’s DHCP client table to find the IP addresses of your nodes. If your nodes are switched to Bridge Mode, they will obtain an IP address from your existing network (DHCP server).
If I have more than one node, do I need to change them all to Bridge Mode as well? No. After you choose the Bridge Mode option on the parent node, all your nodes will be in Bridge Mode.
I have already set up a node in Bridge Mode, how can I add more nodes to my mesh system? To add a node to an existing mesh system in Bridge Mode, open the Linksys app. On the dashboard, tap on the menu icon and then go to Set Up a New Product > Add Another Node to xxxxxxxx (where xxxxxxxx is the name of your current mesh system). Learn more.
 

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