Is the WaterGuru SENSE compatible with mesh Wi-Fi routers?

The WaterGuru SENSE is compatible with mesh Wi-Fi routers, but additional steps may be required to enable connectivity.  The WaterGuru SENSE operates exclusively in the 2.4Ghz network.  Mesh Wi-Fi routers typically broadcast a single SSID for both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz networks.  The WaterGuru SENSE is looking for a 2.4Ghz dedicated network.  Connections to mesh networks that roam between 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz may not maintain a reliable connection (frequent disconnects) with the WaterGuru SENSE device may not connect at all during device pairing.

Common mesh Wi-Fi routers:

• Google Wi-Fi mesh
• Google Nest Wi-Fi
• Google Fiber
• Eero mesh Wi-Fi
• Linksys / Velop mesh
• Netgear Orbi mesh
• TP-Link Deco Whole Home Wi-Fi
• AmpliFi mesh
• Plume mesh
• Ubiquiti Mesh
• Cox Panoramic WiFi mesh

Solutions:

Note:  See below Support Articles section for links to Router-specific Help articles that will guide you through the process

Create a separate SSID for 2.4Ghz

• If your mesh Wi-Fi router allows it,  configure separate SSIDs for the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz networks and name each network SSID accordingly – i.e. “mynetwork-2.4” and “mynetwork-5”.
• During device pairing, you will only see the compatible network, i.e. “mynetwork-2.4”.
• Connect the WaterGuru SENSE to the 2.4Ghz network

Create a 2.4Ghz Guest network

• Some mesh Wi-Fi routers allow you to create a separate 2.4Ghz “Guest” network to be used for iOT devices that only operate in the 2.4Ghz network band.
• Create the 2.4Ghz “Guest” network with a unique name, i.e. “Guest-2.4”
• Connect the WaterGuru SENSE device to the Guest network

Temporarily hide the 5Ghz network during pairing / re-pairing

• Some mesh Wi-Fi routers such as the Eero line of routers allow you to temporarily hide the 5Ghz network.
• The Eero app allows you to temporarily hide the 5Ghz network for 15 minutes.
• Temporarily hiding the 5Ghz network will facilitate the initial pairing or repairing of the SENSE device to your network.

Create an additional SSID for 2.4Ghz

• If your mesh Wi-Fi router does not allow the main SSID for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz to be separated, you can create an additional SSID and select it to broadcast on the 2.4Ghz band
• Note, for AmpliFi Mesh systems, you must also add the additional 2.4Ghz SSID to each of the mesh points and/or to the router.
• During device pairing, you will only see the compatible network, i.e. “amplifi-2.4”.
• Connect the WaterGuru SENSE to the 2.4Ghz network

Create separate SSIDs for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz.

• Some Mesh routers like the Linksys Velop do not permit the creation of a separate 2.4Ghz SSID.
• The solution for such routers is to separate the SSIDs into 2 SSIDs - 1 SSID for 2.4Ghz and 1 SSID for 5Ghz
• Note:  Users with Linksys Velop who do not wish to create SSIDs can use the solution below to use another wireless router in bridged mode

Use another wireless router or access point

• If configuring separate SSIDs or a Guest Network is not possible with your mesh Wi-Fi router, i.e. Eero Mesh, or Netgear Orbi Mesh, you can connect an inexpensive wireless router or access point to your mesh network.
• Once the router/access point is connected, set it up to broadcast a completely new SSID on 2.4 GHz only.
• Connect the WaterGuru SENSE device to this SSID

 Support Articles for Mesh Routers:

• Netgear Orbi mesh:  
  • Unfortunately most Netgear Orbi mesh networks, with the exception of the Nighthawk Tri-band mesh networks, do not permit the setup of a separate 2.4Ghz network. 
  • If you have a Nighthawk Tri-band, click here for instructions on how to set up a separate 2.4Ghz network.
  • If you are unable to connect such an Orbi network, it is probably because your Orbi model does not support splitting the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands. 
  • Here is a list of all Orbi routers that cannot be configured with a separate 2.4Ghz network.  Please contact Netgear if you have any questions.
    • https://kb.netgear.com/000062547/Can-I-choose-if-my-Orbi-router-broadcasts-separate-WiFi-networks-for-2-4GHz-and-5GHz
  • Since configuring separate SSIDs or a Guest Network is not possible on most Orbi models, as a workaround you can connect an inexpensive wireless router or access point to your Orbi mesh.
    • Once the router/access point is connected, set it up to broadcast a completely new SSID on 2.4 GHz only. Connect the WaterGuru SENSE device to this SSID
  • These Netgear Mesh networks do permit a separate 2.4Ghz network to be created: Netgear Nighthawk Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 products (MR80, MS80).
    • https://kb.netgear.com/000063027/Can-I-create-separate-2-4GHz-and-5GHz-SSIDs-on-my-Nighthawk-Tri-band-Mesh-WiFi-6-products
• Google Nest Wi-Fi – https://www.level-sense.com/blogs/wifi-enabled-sump-pump-alarms/connecting-2-4ghz-devices-to-google-mesh-and-google-fiber
• Google Wi-Fi mesh – https://www.level-sense.com/blogs/wifi-enabled-sump-pump-alarms/connecting-2-4ghz-devices-to-google-mesh-and-google-fiber
• Google Fiber – https://www.level-sense.com/blogs/wifi-enabled-sump-pump-alarms/connecting-2-4ghz-devices-to-google-mesh-and-google-fiber
• Linksys / Velop Mesh – Configure separate SSID for 2.4Ghz – https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=247428
• TP-Link Deco Whole Home Wi-Fi – Create Guest Network – https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/1591/
• Eero mesh Wi-Fi – Contact Eero Technical Support: 1-877-659-2347 or email support@eero.com 
• Eero mesh Wi-Fi – https://support.eero.com/hc/en-us/articles/360049983772-How-Do-I-Temporarily-Hide-the-5GHz-Band-on-My-eero-Network-
• AmpliFi mesh: https://help.amplifi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360010201854-Adding-an-Additional-SSID
• Plume mesh – https://support.plume.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011596233-My-device-is-only-compatible-with-2-4-GHz-networks
• Ubiquiti Mesh – https://community.ui.com/questions/set-AP-to-2-4-and-5-GHz-on-different-ssid/256839e0-5e4e-42fa-9581-a48bfb19cec9