Google Nest WiFi Pro slow connection

[EgregiousHog942]

My family has Comcast Business WiFi and six of the Google Nest WiFi 6e AXE5400 WiFi extenders. I live at home and they work great while my brothers are at college. However, we upgraded while they were away and now they are home and the WiFi simply does not work. Whether we connect directly to the extenders via Ethernet or connect wirelessly, we are never able to play any online games or stream anything well. Our Comcast WiFi is up to 1 Gbps of download speed, so I would assume we should get better than 9-12mbps when testing the WiFi on PS5/XSX/Phone. Is there anything we should know to get the speeds and usage we need? It is currently connected to our modem with a Cat 8 Ethernet cable. 

[ovidioj]

Hello @EgregiousHog942,

Thanks for posting in the community. 

It's understandable to be frustrated with the sluggish WiFi performance after adding the Google Nest WiFi extenders to your Comcast Business setup. While six extenders might seem like a lot, there could be a few reasons why you're not getting the speeds you expect:

Potential Causes:

Mesh vs. Extenders: Nest WiFi points operate as a mesh system, ideal for whole-home coverage. However, using it with an existing Comcast Business router might lead to conflicts, especially with so many extenders.

Comcast Business Router Settings: Comcast Business routers might have settings optimized for business use and potentially incompatible with mesh networks. It is possible that your Comcast modem would be a modem and router combo; it has to be activated in modem mode. 

Troubleshooting Steps:

• Contact Comcast Business Support: They can check if there are configuration options on your router related to extender compatibility and give advice on potential conflicts. You can also ask if your modem is just a modem or a modem/router combo. Please ask them to activate your modem in just mode, no router/modem combo.
• Optimize Extender Placement: Ensure the Nest WiFi points or extenders are positioned strategically for optimal signal strength throughout your home. Avoid placing them too close to the main router or each other.
• Wired Backhaul (Recommended): While you mentioned a Cat 8 cable connecting the modem to the router, consider connecting at least one Nest extender directly to the router with an Ethernet cable (wired backhaul) for a more stable and faster backhaul connection for the mesh network.
• Channel interference: Many wireless devices use the same channels, leading to congestion and slow speeds. Use the Nest app to scan for optimal WiFi channels and adjust them if necessary.
• Nest App Optimization: Explore settings in the Nest app like "Network priority," "Parental controls," and "Guest network" to see if any adjustments can improve performance for online gaming and streaming.
• Reduce the Number of Extenders: Having six extenders could be overwhelming for your network. Try starting with a smaller number strategically placed and see if it improves performance.

Keep in mind that troubleshooting network issues can involve multiple steps. By following these suggestions and working with Comcast Business Support, you should be able to get your WiFi performing at its best to accommodate online gaming and streaming for everyone at home. Please let me know how it goes. 

Best regards,

Jorge