You need to set up a Google WiFi backhaul if you have home internet but low speeds and weak spots in the house frustrate you.
A Google WiFi backhaul lets you link multiple devices through Ethernet cables for maximum speeds and full coverage.
A successful Google WiFi wired backhaul boosts your speed, improves latency, and increases overall productivity.
How do you set up the backhaul? You’re in the right place to find out.
Table of Contents
- What is Google WiFi Backhaul?
- Should you Backhaul Google Wi-Fi?
- Is a Wired Backhaul Better Than a Wireless Backhaul?
- How to Setup Wired Google WiFi Backhaul
- Why Is Google WiFi Ethernet Backhaul Not Working?
- Mistakes To Avoid When Setting Up Google WiFi Backhaul
- Conclusion: Will A Google WiFi Backhaul Improve Performance?
What is Google WiFi Backhaul?
Before delving into Google WiFi backhaul, you must understand how data moves. Data, traveling in electrical waves, gets many obstructions.
And since data must move from the main point to several access points, it might lose strength and clarity. Consequently, the data might get corrupted or slow.
The solution to ensuring data delivery remains as clear from the main transmission point to an access point is setting up a mesh system.
In a mesh system, you connect several devices (typically routers) to communicate with each other and the internet while retaining signal strength.
Therefore, Google WiFi Backhaul is the connection established between connected devices in a network to boost signal coverage, strength and to increase speed.
You can have Google wifi ethernet (wired backhaul), wireless backhaul with other Google devices, or a hybrid wired and wireless system.
Should you Backhaul Google Wi-Fi?
Multiple devices connected from a single source
You can’t go wrong with Google WiFi backhaul. Here’s why.
Modern homes are rife with walls, corners, and decor that hinders signal. Additionally, many homes have dead zones where the signal completely fades off.
In a bigger home, such necessities will lower signal strength and cause dropped connections.
The average home has multiple users with different devices, all connected to one network. Slow speeds are common with such stretched capacity.
If you rely on heavy data consumption that needs fast speeds, slow speeds result in longer load times and less productivity.
A WiFi backhaul ensures devices are set up in the dead zones to improve coverage.
Furthermore, more devices amplifying signals from the main router will reduce bandwidth strain and improve speed.
Hybrid wireless and Google Wifi Ethernet backhaul will ensure you get faster speed and curb interference over more square-foot coverage.
Is a Wired Backhaul Better Than a Wireless Backhaul?
Faster connection with ethernet connection
Deciding if wired backhaul (ethernet backhaul) is better than wireless backhaul is why you’re setting up the backhaul.
A wired backhaul requires additional hardware. You have to set up your Google WiFi devices in areas where you can also create routes for ethernet cables.
However, you can also use other Ethernet-enabled devices to create a wired backhaul.
One of the main advantages of an Ethernet backhaul is the boost in speed.
Signals in a wired channel are less vulnerable to interruption. Therefore, data moves faster in an Ethernet backhaul than in a wireless wifi backhaul.
The net result is more bandwidth, allowing you to use even more devices on the same network.
A wireless backhaul is more about convenience. If you are looking for a cleaner, less intrusive setup, a wireless setup works best.
You don’t need additional cables, drilling, or manual wiring. A wireless backhaul is handy when you have a limited number of WiFi devices and a large area to cover.
However, wireless backhaul is open to interference and bandwidth irregularities if you add more devices to the network.
How to Setup Wired Google WiFi Backhaul
Ensure you have the Google Home app before setup.
- Disconnect the main router/modem from power. However, leave the switch cable and Ethernet cable in the modem. They shouldn’t be connected to any devices at this point.
- Reconnect the switch cable to the LAN port (on the right) in one Google WiFi device and the Ethernet cable to the WAN port (on the left).
- Connect the power cable to the Google WiFi device.
- Connect the modem’s power.
- Open the Google Home app and click “Set up 2 devices”. Click NEXT when it brings the “Choose a home” prompt.
- After a search, choose “WiFi router” and scan the router’s QR code. It’ll ask you if you want to join. Accept the join option and set the SSID name and Password. Accept the permissions and pick the location of the device. Please wait for it to create the network. It should show you a successful connection with the SSID name.
You have just set up the main Goole WiFi router.
- To fully establish a wired backhaul, connect an Ethernet cable from the main Google WiFi router to a new Google node. This new node is another access point. A successful connection now makes your Google Mesh network a backhaul with one node.
Let’s assume you want to expand the network and add another device. Since all Ethernet ports are occupied, you must set up a multi-port device to accommodate another node. That’s where an Ethernet switch comes in.
- Connect an Ethernet cable from your main Google WiFi to the switch.
- Connect additional Google WiFi nodes to the switch using individual ethernet cables.
- Check the Google Home app to see if all the nodes are visible on the network.
In summary, the correct connection order for a successful Ethernet backhaul should look as follows:
Modem – Main Google WiFi – Secondary Google WiFi Node.
Or
Modem – Main Google WiFi – Ethernet switch – Secondary Google WiFi node
Why Is Google WiFi Ethernet Backhaul Not Working?
Technical hitches are common while setting up a backhaul.
| Problem | Solution |
| No connection in one of the nodes | Usually, one of the nodes might be damaged. Check whether it is working by connecting it to a power supply on its own. |
| Broken or defective Ethernet cables | Check cables for electrical damage or connector damage. Also, check whether the entire length of the cable is structurally sound. Keep extra cable for emergency replacement. |
| Inconsistent power on and off | Check the power source for defects. Moreover, your devices may have a problem with the power connection point. |
| Persistent connection problems | Power cycling. Unplug the WiFi node from power and let it sit for one minute. Plug the device back to power and let it load for a minute. You can power cycle periodically. However, consider changing the Google WiFi devices if the problem persists. |
| Lack of connection from the switch | The Ethernet switch could be defective. First, connect the switch without any devices. If it doesn’t connect, change the switch and reconnect it to the main Google WiFi device. |
Mistakes To Avoid When Setting Up Google WiFi Backhaul
- Avoid connecting devices to the primary Google WiFi device until you finish the setup.
- Avoid combining WiFi 6 devices, such as Google Nest WiFi Pro, with WiFi 5 devices in the same mesh setup.
- Limit the node devices to a maxim of 5. Otherwise, you risk lower speeds and sluggish performance.
- Avoid placing the main Google Wi-Fi point behind anything that could obstruct it. Place it in visible areas where internet signals can reach easily.
Conclusion: Will A Google WiFi Backhaul Improve Performance?
You don’t always have to get a new data plan if you have stable internet speeds.
Adding Google WiFi devices and covering more areas can improve your performance and reduce the strain on bandwidth.
Additionally, you will get better speeds with an Ethernet backhaul than with a purely wireless backhaul.
