Connectivity problems have emerged in a home equipped with a fiber-to-the-home installation and a mesh Wi-Fi system. Initially, the setup functioned adequately; however, as new residents moved in, the number of nearby access points surged from about a dozen to nearly fifty, leading to significant wireless disruptions. Smart home devices, including in-wall switches and doorbell cameras, began to experience frequent connectivity losses.
Attempts to resolve the issues included relocating mesh nodes, heat-mapping access points, and hardwiring devices, yet these efforts proved ineffective. The homeowner discovered that the devices suffering from connectivity issues were primarily using the 2.4GHz band, which had become overcrowded due to the increasing number of smart devices. Despite high signal strength, the competition for bandwidth resulted in persistent problems.
In a previous living situation, similar interference arose from numerous household appliances and electronics, prompting the homeowner to explore various solutions, including adding another access point and establishing MAC whitelists. Despite these adjustments, connectivity remained unreliable, indicating a more complex issue with network management.