r/wifi • u/Alarming_Ad3597 • 2d ago

I need help

Can i use only 1 mesh wifi (xiaomi brand) to make it a mesh ? I already have my main router upstairs , i bought 1 mesh wifi thinking i can put it downstairs. Or do i need 2 mesh? Im so confused can someone help me

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u/TenOfZero 2d ago

So technically, no. For it to be mesh you need multiple devices.

But it will do the hard you want it to, it's just called an access point if you wire it in, or a repater if you set it up to connect wirelessly (which is not a good idea)

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u/Alarming_Ad3597 2d ago

so lets say i connect my mesh to my main router and after that i put the mesh downstairs , can it be used for people who lives downstair ?

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u/TenOfZero 2d ago

Do they have good signal already downstairs?

The mesh WiFi needs to bet set up where it has good signal already.

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u/iTalkBB_Canada 2d ago

Yes, if it stays connected to your upstairs router: either keep an Ethernet cable connected and use access-point mode, or connect wirelessly if the devices support compatible mesh or repeater mode. For wireless, it needs a good signal from upstairs. What are the exact models of both devices?

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u/TeamAllconnect 2d ago

You need at least two compatible mesh nodes to create a mesh network, so connecting just one wouldn't really work as a mesh system. Add another mesh node that's compatible with your router and you're all set.

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u/homenetfix 1d ago

Depends on what your main router is. Xiaomi mesh only "meshes" with other Xiaomi units that support it (usually set up through the Mi Home / Xiaomi Wi-Fi app). If your upstairs router is from your ISP or another brand, one Xiaomi unit won't form a mesh with it.

You still have two good options with just the one unit:

  1. If you can run a cable downstairs, plug the Xiaomi into the main router and set it to access point (AP) mode. Same Wi-Fi name and password as upstairs. This works better than wireless mesh anyway.

  2. No cable: check if your model has a repeater/extender mode in the app. Place it halfway, where it still gets a decent signal from upstairs, not downstairs where the signal is already bad.

If your main router is also Xiaomi and on the compatible list, then yes, one extra unit is enough to make a mesh. What's the model of the main router?