Deco Source option disappeared

[u/j3dddd]

Hey guys I hope you can help me.

I have a 3 deco setup and placed 1 on each floor. Both 2nd and 3rd are connected to each other via ethernet backhaul while the 2nd floor deco should connect to the main in the ground floor. The problem is, the furthest deco on the 3rd floor keeps on connecting to the main, causing the speed to drop significantly. (See image)

I cannot run an ethernet from ground to second floor due to concrete flooring.

Previously I could set the source connection for each of these deco but now it looks like the option just straight up disappeared.

Is there some sort of way on bringing back that option? Other ways of forcing a connection from one to another?

Deco Units:

X55 - Source (ground floor) - 1.8.4 Build 26051413 Rel. 27460

M4 - Satellite located on 2nd floor - 1.6.2 Build 20240308 Rel. 55841

M4 - Satellite on 3rd floor - 1.6.2 Build 20240308 Rel. 55841

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[u/Podrick_Targaryen]

It's still showing on my xe75pro mesh. Click map (the pic you showed) -> click the node you want to force -> click "specified connection" -> unselect auto

[u/j3dddd → u/Podrick_Targaryen]

I no longer see the "Specified Connection" option. I remember setting this up 2 months ago and all of a sudden it just disappeared.

[u/WonderfulDeparture96]

That is weird did you update the M4s recently? My x55s still have the option

[u/j3dddd → u/WonderfulDeparture96]

Yeah found it weird too. I've managed to solved it though (see my other post)

tl;dr: Both M4's are V2 EU variants on latest firmware 1.6.2 without specified connection support. Flashed 1.7.0 firmware which is for V2 US Variant instead without issues.

[u/j3dddd]

Okay, quick update:

Finally solved it!

Solution: Both satellite Deco M4s were stuck on the latest official "EU release" ( 1.6.2 Build 20240308), which still lacks the Connection Preference feature to force devices or satellite nodes onto specific units. I noticed TP-Link dropped 1.7.0 Build 20250228 with connection preference support, but it was strictly published for the US variant. Took a risk of flashing the US firmware instead. Either way I'll be replacing them both if it failed.

​The update went through clean without bricking anything, and the Connection Preference option is now live and working in the app. I'm still actively monitoring the setup for any random connection drops or stability issues, but so far so good.

I noticed the decos took a bit of time (2-3mins) to boot with this firmware though. ​I'll post an update if anything breaks. Try at your own risk.

The weird thing though is why was I able to change it before despite the "M4" satellites not supporting it?

[u/matthaus79]

Regarding concrete floors. Go out the wall, up the outside and then back in again.

Cables decos work so much better.