Trying to use BXZenWiFi BD5 Outdoor as AIMesh node with RT-AC88U

[AndyRonLI]

I have an RT-AC88U connected to Verizon which is working fine. I added an RP-AC55 as an AIMesh node and that worked fine, but still cant quite get the signal I want in my back yard. I just bought a BX ZENWiFi BD5 Outdoor and am trying to add it as an AImesh node. I cannot get the node to finalize via Wifi. I can get it to connect and add the node if I have an ethernet cable connecting the AC55 and the BD5 LAN/LAN, but then I cant get the WiFi mesh to work even with the Outdoor in the same room.  

WHen adding a node it finds the BD5, lets me click add, and the little countdown spinner starts with the percentage slowly increasing. However it gets to the end and I get the following.

________________________________________________________________________________

Unable to add your AiMesh node ZenWiFi BD5 Outdoor (BC:FC:E7:2E:1A:EC) to

your AiMesh system due to the following situations. Please check and try again.

Someone else is trying to set up an AiMesh system. Please wait 1 minute and try again.
your AiMesh router and node should be within 3 meters of each other during the setup process.
Make sure your AiMesh node is powered on.
Your AiMesh node has been upgraded to AiMesh-supported firmware.
Your AiMesh node has been reset to default

If you want to find another available AiMesh node nearby, please click "Search".

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So it is within 3 meters, it is powered on. 

The other two messages seem non-sensical. How would being upgraded to AIMesh supported firmware defeat the connection? That makes NO sense.

Of course its been effectively reset, it is new in the box.

Am I missing a step?

Any help is appreciated. 

I did add RP-AC55 and that went fine. I have removed it just to simplify things during this setup.

Thanks

Andy

[AndyRonLI]

I can get the device on the network with a physical Ethernet connection but I cannot move it and reconnect via WIFI

[Alex52]

Use the BD5 as Wireless Repeater.

[AndyRonLI]

Even with an physical Ethernet connection and being on the same desk with the main router, the device is constantly disconnecting. 

[Aureliannn_ASUS]

Hi @AndyRonLI ,

thank you for your detailed explanation regarding the issue with setting up the ASUS ZenWiFi BD5 Outdoor as an AiMesh node.

We would like to confirm the following with you:

1. Please ensure that both the RT-AC88U and ZenWiFi BD5 Outdoor are updated to the latest firmware versions.
2. We recommend performing a factory reset on the ZenWiFi BD5. You may refer to the FAQ below for detailed instructions. [Wireless Router] When Standard Reset Isn’t Working: Hard Factory Reset - Models list | Official Sup...
3. Could you confirm whether the ZenWiFi BD5 operates normally when configured as the main router? This can help determine if the issue is hardware-related.

If the issue persists after performing the above steps, please use the router's “Feedback” feature to submit system logs at the time the problem occurs. Additionally, please provide the following information for further analysis:

• Full firmware version numbers for the RT-AC88U and BD5
• Exact time the issue occurred
• Time the system log was submitted
• MAC address and serial number of the device
• A simple network topology diagram (e.g., location and connection type of main router and each node)

We appreciate your cooperation and will continue assisting you.