I have three TP-Link routers in my home: one AX55v1, which serves as the main router, and two AX53v1 units that operate wirelessly in satellite mode. To improve coverage, I decided to connect one of the AX53 units to the AX55 with an Ethernet cable, as the concrete walls are blocking the signal, and, even with three routers, I cannot cover the entire apartment. All routers are using the latest firmware: version 1.2.4 Build 20240509 rel.64683 for the AX53 and version 1.3.3 Build 20240628 rel.37017(4555) for the AX55.

Previously, I had an AX23, which I replaced with the AX55. At that time, I easily established a backhaul connection from one of the AX53 units to the AX23. However, this time, I was unable to achieve the same.

When I connect an Ethernet cable from the AX55 to the AX53, the network connection crashes, and I lose access to the internet as well as the configuration menu of the main router. If I unplug the cable, everything returns to normal. If I keep the cable plugged in, the AX55 sometimes reboots; other times, nothing happens, and I can establish a connection to the satellite, but there is no backhaul, even though the network map shows that the cable is connected to the router.

I have tried both factory resetting and connecting the cable between the routers before adding the secondary one as a satellite, as well as adding the secondary one as a satellite and then connecting the cable afterward, but nothing has worked. I had also assigned a static IP for the satellites but removed it; however, the situation did not change.

I tried establishing a backhaul connection with one of the AX53s as the main router and the other one as a satellite, but again, it did not work.

After much trial and error, I reached the conclusion that, despite the AX53 having firmware version 1.2.4 Build 20240509 rel.64683, which is newer than the one posted on the EasyMesh backhaul compatibility page, for some reason, the newer firmware does not support backhaul. However, so far everything works fine with firmware 1.2.4 Build 20240206 (Public Beta Firmware for Trial). I installed the beta firmware on one of the satellites, and the backhaul connection was established flawlessly.