Firmware Bug: Hidden Networks Broadcast Despite EasyMesh Being Disabled
Hello everyone,
I’ve encountered an issue with my TP-LINK Archer GE800 v1.0 BE19000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router.
Even after disabling the EasyMesh feature, the router continues to broadcast hidden networks. I expected that turning off EasyMesh would stop this behavior, so it appears there may be a firmware bug.
Additionally, if this is not a bug, then what is the purpose of the router broadcasting hidden networks when I haven't configured any? All of my networks are fully visible—the main network, the guest network, and the IoT network.
Has anyone experienced this issue or found a workaround? Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
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Hi@TaKeN,
Did you test the Wi-Fi connection of the satellite router? Please only power on the main router and test the Wi-Fi connection again, to see if the Wi-Fi can be hidden?
If the client device (such as a mobile phone or computer) has successfully connected to the SSID before and saved the password, the device will automatically try to connect even if the SSID is hidden.
New devices or devices without a saved network need to manually enter the SSID name and password to connect.
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Hello @Joseph-TP
Thank you for your response. However, I believe there is a misunderstanding. I have only one router—the TP-LINK Archer GE800 v1.0 BE19000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router—so no satellite routers are involved.
The issue is that even with the EasyMesh option disabled, the router continues to broadcast hidden networks. When I power off the router, both the main visible network and the hidden networks disappear, confirming that this router is responsible for broadcasting them. Additionally, the hidden networks always use the same channel as the visible network; changing the channel for the visible network automatically changes the channel for the hidden ones.
I have thoroughly checked the configuration, and there is no setting for a hidden network in the configuration of the main network, the guest network, or the IoT network. It appears that, for some reason, the router is broadcasting a hidden network despite there being no configuration for it.
Therefore, I consider this a bug in the firmware.
I appreciate any further insights or suggestions on resolving this issue.
Thank you!
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Hi @TaKeN,
Thank you for your feedback.
Just to confirm, after you click "Hide SSID", can you save it successfully? After logging out of the web interface and logging in again, can the settings still be saved?
Please take screenshots with wireless settings page and collect system log as below: How to view and save System Log of TP-Link wireless router?
Please send above information to email support.forum@tp-link.com, attaching Forum ID 749470 and details, and we will have a dedicated person to assist in analysis and follow-up.
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Hi,
I believe there is a misunderstanding regarding my issue. The problem is that my router is broadcasting hidden networks even though EasyMesh is disabled, and I have no hidden SSIDs configured.
To clarify the issue properly, I have sent an email to TP-Link support with all the details and requested logs. Thank you for your assistance!
Best regards,
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TaKeN wrote
Hi,
I believe there is a misunderstanding regarding my issue. The problem is that my router is broadcasting hidden networks even though EasyMesh is disabled, and I have no hidden SSIDs configured.
To clarify the issue properly, I have sent an email to TP-Link support with all the details and requested logs. Thank you for your assistance!
Best regards,
@TaKeN it's interesting the hidden SSID remains after EasyMesh is disabled.
As you appear to be aware a hidden backhaul SSID is often present with mesh systems but having it remain after disabling it sounds like a bug to me.
I believe TP-Link support/software engineering will need to verify whether it will be fixed (if we can get through to them what your saying).
Other Qualcomm mesh router systems (eg. Deco BE85) have hidden backhaul SSIDs too and no-one seems in a hurry to do anything about it. Of course, in the case of an active mesh system, maybe the openness it's a benefit ...
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@raven-au Exactly! That's why I reported it to them as a bug in the firmware. Maybe they'll find time to fix this issue when they release a new firmware version, especially since I have both a GE800 and a BE800 at home, and both have the same problem. It seems like this issue affects new devices.
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TaKeN wrote
@raven-au Exactly! That's why I reported it to them as a bug in the firmware. Maybe they'll find time to fix this issue when they release a new firmware version, especially since I have both a GE800 and a BE800 at home, and both have the same problem. It seems like this issue affects new devices.
@TaKeN I'm pretty sure it's started coming up with WiFi 7 devices.
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Hi @TaKeN,
We have reported the issue to the support engineers, they will likely reach out to you via email to continue to troubleshoot your issue. Please check your email box and confirm.
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