There are a few ways to add child nodes to a Linksys Mesh router that supports the new LinksysNOW web interface, such as the following models:

 

• Linksys LN1600 series (LN1601, LN1602, LN1603)
• Linksys SPNM60
• Linksys SPNM62

 

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Before you begin:

 

• Parent router: The parent router is the Linksys Mesh router that connects to your modem. The parent router must be set up online.
• Child node: An additional node to extend your WiFi network.
• If you have more than one child node to add, they can all be added at the same time.
• Unable to add a child node?
  • If possible, bring the child node closer to the parent router and place it in the same room.
  • Do you have the Instant-Privacy feature turned ON? If so, turn it OFF, try adding your child node again, and then turn it back ON once the setup is complete.
  • If the DFS feature is turned ON, try turning it OFF first. Then, add the child node and turn the feature back ON.
    • To disable DFS, log in to the router's web interface. Go to Menu > Incredible-WiFi. Click on Advanced and then toggle the switch to disable the Dynamic Frequency Selection feature. Click Save.
  • If you are still unable to add a child node, reboot the parent router and try again.

 

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Using the Pair button (Quick and Easy)

 

An easy and quick method to add wired and wireless child nodes. Before you begin, make sure your parent router is set up and online.

 

1. Power ON the new child node/s near the parent router. You can move the child node after setup is complete.

 

2. Wait for the child node to show a solid blue light.

 

 

If the child node has a red light, hold down the reset button for about 20 seconds and wait for it to have a solid blue light.

 

3. Press the Pair button on the bottom of the parent router connected to your modem for at least 3 seconds. The router will begin scanning for unconfigured nodes.

 

 

4. The parent’s LED will begin blinking solid white during the pairing process. The child node, once detected, will also begin blinking white. Wait for the pairing process to be completed, this can take a few minutes.

 

 

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Using the web interface (My Network)

 

1. Connect your computer or mobile device to the Linksys WiFi network.

 

2. Power ON the child node/s near the parent router during setup. Wait for the light to turn solid blue on the new child node.

 

 

Red light? Hold down the reset button for about 10 seconds to restore the router to factory defaults. Wait until the light turns solid blue.

 

3. Open a web browser and log in to the router's web interface.

 

4. Click on Menu, then click on Setup a New Product in the My Network tile.

 

 

5. Make sure your new child node has a solid blue light. Click Next.

 

 

6. The parent router LED will begin blinking white. Once the child node has been detected, it will also begin blinking white during the pairing process. Please wait. This can take a few minutes.

 

 

7. Your new child node will be displayed on the list. Click Next.

 

 

 

Not seeing the new child node?

• If the light on the new node is still blinking white, wait until it becomes solid white, then click Refresh.
• If the list did not detect your new node but the light on the node is solid white, click Refresh.
• If the light on the new child node is still solid blue, this means the router did not detect it. Bring the child node closer to the parent node and click Try again or try using the Pair button method.

 

7. Click Close. You can now move your child node to another location.

 

 

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Using the web interface (Instant-Topology)

 

1. Connect your computer or mobile device to the Linksys WiFi network.

 

2. Power ON the child node/s near the parent router during setup. Wait for the light on the new child node to turn solid blue.

 

 

Red light? Hold down the reset button for about 10 seconds to restore the router to factory defaults. Wait until the light turns solid blue.

 

3. Open a desktop browser and log in to the router's web interface.

 

4. Click on Menu, then click on the Instant-Topology tile.

 

 

5. The first router on the list is your parent node. Click on  icon to access Instant-Actions, click on Instant Pair, then click on Reset to Factory Default.

 

 

For LN1600, just click on Instant Pair.

 

 

6. Once your child node has a solid blue light, and click Next.

 

 

7. The light on the parent router will begin blinking, indicating that the router is scanning for unconfigured nodes. Once a child node is detected, the child light will also begin blinking. Please wait. This can take a few minutes.

 

 

8. Once the child has a solid white light, this means it has successfully been added to your network.

 

 

Your new node will be displayed in the list. Click Next.

Not seeing the new child node?

• If the light on the new node is still blinking white, wait until it becomes solid white, then click Refresh.
• If the light is solid white, click Next and check if your child node appears on the Home page. You can view all your connected nodes on the LinksysNOW Home page.
• If the light on the new child node is still solid blue, this means the router did not detect it. Bring the child node closer and click on Try again, or try using the Pair button method.

 

9. You can now relocate the child node. Click Close.

 

 

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Using an Ethernet cable (Adding a wired child node)

 

Adding wired child nodes is easy. You can do it in two ways, depending on the status of the child node.

Before you begin:

• Make sure that the parent router is set up and online.

A. Quick and simple method

Use this method to add a new child node that is in factory defaults or an existing wireless child node, which will switch to a wired child node.

 

1. Connect an Ethernet cable from the Internet port of the child node to a LAN port on the parent router.

 

 

2. The light on the child node will begin blinking. Wait until the light turns solid white; this can take a few minutes.

 

3. When the light turns solid white, the node has been successfully added as a wired child node.

 

NOTE: If your new child node doesn’t start blinking white after 2 minutes. It's possible that wired onboarding may be turned OFF. Try to add it using the web interface.

 

B. Using the web interface

 

1. Power ON the new child node. Wait for the light to turn solid blue, which indicates it’s ready for setup.

 

 

2. Open a desktop browser and log in to the router's web interface.

 

3. Click on Menu, then click on the Instant-Topology tile.

 

 

4. The first router on the list is your parent node. Click on its  icon to access Instant-Actions, then click on Instant Pair > Pair wired node.

 

 

5. Connect an Ethernet cable from the child node’s Internet port to any LAN port on the parent router.

 

 

 

6. The child node’s light will start blinking white (pairing in progress). This may take a few minutes.

 

Ready