Should I Turn Off Router WiFi When Using Mesh?

Yes, you should generally turn off the Wi-Fi signal from your existing router or modem/router combination when you set up a mesh Wi-Fi system.

When you deploy a mesh Wi-Fi system, its primary purpose is to provide robust and widespread wireless coverage throughout your home. Many internet service providers (ISPs) supply modems or gateway devices that have built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, transmitting their own wireless signal by default. If both your mesh system and your old router's Wi-Fi are active simultaneously, their signals can clash. This interference can degrade the performance of your new mesh network, leading to slower speeds, unstable connections, and less reliable coverage than your mesh system is designed to deliver. The existing Wi-Fi signal from your provider's equipment interferes with your mesh system, preventing your new Wi-Fi signal from being as strong and efficient as it should be.

Why Disable Your Router's Wi-Fi?

Turning off the Wi-Fi on your old router offers several key advantages for your new mesh system:

• Optimized Performance: Your mesh system can operate without interference, ensuring its signals are strong and efficient, leading to faster and more consistent speeds.
• Reduced Interference: Prevents signal overlap and channel congestion, which can be particularly problematic in dense residential areas with many competing Wi-Fi networks.
• Simplified Network: Avoids confusion for your devices, which might otherwise try to connect to the weaker or older Wi-Fi signal instead of the superior mesh network.
• Improved Stability: A cleaner wireless environment contributes to more consistent and reliable internet access across all your devices.

Steps to Turn Off Your Old Router's Wi-Fi

The process typically involves logging into your router's administrative interface. Here's a general guide:

1. Connect to Your Router: Use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to one of the LAN ports on your existing modem/router. Alternatively, if its Wi-Fi is still active, you can connect wirelessly.
2. Access Router Settings: Open a web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge) and type your router's IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1) into the address bar. This IP address is often found on a sticker on the router itself, in its manual, or by searching online for your router model.
3. Log In: Enter the administrative username and password. Default credentials are often "admin" for both, or they can be found on a label on the router. If you've changed them previously, use your updated credentials.
4. Locate Wi-Fi Settings: Navigate to the wireless or Wi-Fi settings section. This might be under headings like "Wireless," "WLAN," "Wi-Fi Setup," "Network Settings," or "Advanced Settings."
5. Disable Wireless Functionality: Look for options such as "Enable Wireless," "Wireless Radio," "SSID Broadcast," "2.4 GHz Wireless," or "5 GHz Wireless" and uncheck or toggle them off. Some routers may have a dedicated "Bridge Mode" or "AP Mode" option; enabling this will disable all routing functions, including Wi-Fi, allowing your mesh system to handle everything.
6. Save Changes: Apply or save your settings, and restart the router if prompted.

Note: If your ISP-provided device is a simple modem without any built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, this step is unnecessary. However, if it's a gateway (a modem-router combination), disabling its Wi-Fi is crucial for optimal mesh performance.

Impact Comparison: Router Wi-Fi On vs. Off