Setting up your Linksys Intelligent Mesh™ WiFi is easy through the Linksys app. The Linksys app provides an animated guide and automatically identifies the nodes to be set up, making the process secure, seamless, and simple.
Follow the steps below to set up your Linksys Mesh WiFi system using an Android™ device. You can find the setup instructions for iOS here.
This article is for Linksys WHW0x, MX series, and MR series.
Before you begin:
- Download or update the latest Linksys app.
- Parent router: A parent router is a router/node connected to your modem or modem router (gateway).
- Child node: The child node is an additional Linksys Intelligent Mesh node or router that you can add to extend your WiFi network.
- Note that attempting to set up a Linksys Cognitive™ Mesh WiFi system as a child node will NOT work with Linksys Intelligent Mesh products, as these are incompatible. Here is a list of child nodes that you can add to your network.
Images vary by your device's model.
1. First, gather all your equipment. If you have more than one router or node to set up, make sure to gather all your equipment in the same room as the modem or internet source.
- Your Linksys routers or nodes
- Power adapters for each router or node
- One ethernet cable
You can relocate your child nodes after the setup process is complete.
2. Power ON all your nodes. The child nodes need to be near the parent router, no more than 10 ft away, the closer the better.
3. Make sure that all your nodes are ready for setup and have a solid purple light. If any of the nodes do not have a solid light, reset them by holding down the reset button for about 15 seconds, then wait until the light becomes solid.
4. Remove the existing WiFi router.
What are you currently using as your WiFi network?
a. I have a modem (non-WiFi) and a separate WiFi router or existing mesh WiFi system:
- Remove your existing WiFi router and/or all your devices for the existing mesh WiFi system.
- Power cycle your modem.
- Wait until your modem has rebooted and go to the next step.
b. I have a WiFi router and modem in one device:
- Go to the next step.
c. I do not have any WiFi routers or existing mesh WiFi systems:
- Go to the next step.
5. Connect a node with an ethernet cable to your modem. If you have a Linksys WHW0x series, use one of the two ports. After the node is set up, the port that you use will become the designated Internet port.
Do not plug any devices into the child nodes besides the power adapter during setup.
6. Make sure that your mobile device isn’t connected to an existing WiFi network. Open the Linksys app, then tap on Launch setup.
7. Tap on Velop and Mesh Routers.
8. Enable Bluetooth® if prompted. Follow the on-screen instructions or swipe down and tap on the Bluetooth icon to enable it.
9. If you have already removed your old router, tap Next. Otherwise, follow the instructions and tap Next when ready.
10. If you have already connected and powered ON your parent node as previously instructed, tap Next, and then tap It's connected.
11. If you have already powered ON your child nodes, tap Next. If you haven’t done so, follow the wiring instructions and tap Next when you're ready.
12. Make sure all your nodes have a solid light, then tap on Node light is solid. Keep your phone near the nodes while your nodes are being set up.
13. Internet checking will begin.
If an internet connection is not detected, you will come across the following screen. Tap Or, try again or tap on the suggested fixes on the app.
- Checking your wiring - Tap to double-check the wiring.
- Restarting your modem again - Tap to restart the modem.
If your internet connection requires your PPPoE settings or a static IP address, tap on Enter them here, then select your internet connection type, and enter your settings. Once connected, the app will proceed to the next step.
14. Customize your WiFi name and WiFi password. The WiFi password is case-sensitive. Tap Next once done.
15. If you are setting up your router again, you will be prompted to use the same WiFi settings as before. Tap on Yes to use the same WiFi credentials or tap on No, create new Wi-Fi settings.
16. Tap Continue when ready.
17. Log in with your existing Linksys cloud account to link your network to your cloud account. You will be able to manage and monitor your network remotely from any mobile device. If you haven’t created one, tap on Create account. You can also tap Skip for now and create an account later.
18. Configuration is in progress. Your network is being configured.
19. Once all your nodes have been configured, the following screen will display the quantity of nodes that were successfully detected and configured on your network. Tap Next.
Missing a node? If you have additional nodes to add but forgot to turn them ON at the beginning or if some of your child nodes were not detected, tap on Add more nodes to try again.
- Make sure to move your node closer to the parent node, no more than 10 ft away from the parent node or preferably in the same room as the parent node.
- You can also complete the setup process and add them later.
- Troubleshooting tips for setup issues with the Linksys app.
20. Tap Next.
21. You can now unplug and relocate your child nodes. Tap Finish.
22. Once your nodes are set up, the light on the node will turn solid blue.
23. Your WiFi is ready. Tap on Go to dashboard. You can now relocate your child nodes, power them back ON, then connect your WiFi devices to your network.
Find out more:
Understanding the light behavior of your Linksys Mesh WiFi system
Adding a child node to your existing Linksys Velop Intelligent Mesh WiFi system
Setting up a Linksys Mesh system using Bluetooth on your mobile device
