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If setting up new router with same SSID and Password, Do I need to manually reconnect all devices?

17,482 47,651 July 21, 2021 at 07:05 AM
I have an older Asus router that I plan on replacing with a mesh system as I need better coverage throughout my home plus my router has been pretty flaky recently. I currently have around 30 smart devices connected to it (light switches, outlets, hubs, tablets, doorbell etc.).

If replace it with a new router and use the same SSID and password as my current router, would I need to manually reconnect all my smart devices to the new router? I have a 3-pack of Google WiFi sitting on my shelf for quite a while "fearing" that I'd have to reconnect everything if replace my current router with it.


Thank you
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gabe23111 Pro
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jkee
07-21-2021 at 08:33 AM.
07-21-2021 at 08:33 AM.
Many devices will likely connect if you do that, some will be smart enough to realize it's a different router and force you to re-enter the password.
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gabe23111
07-21-2021 at 09:02 AM.
07-21-2021 at 09:02 AM.
Quote from jkee :
Many devices will likely connect if you do that, some will be smart enough to realize it's a different router and force you to re-enter the password.
Got it. Thank you. I've been pushing it off but I guess I'll switch the routers over the weekend. Hopefully most will reconnect themselves.
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jkee
07-21-2021 at 09:21 AM.
07-21-2021 at 09:21 AM.
Quote from gabe23111 :
Got it. Thank you. I've been pushing it off but I guess I'll switch the routers over the weekend. Hopefully most will reconnect themselves.
You can always switch back to the old router until you have time to deal with it.

You could also use a new SSID on the new router and plug the old one in as an access point (assign static ip, turn off dhcp server if it doesn't have an AP mode) and slowly switch things over or leave them alone. Smart home devices tend not to need a super fast connection and as a result have radios that tend to be weaker / slower. This can actually have a detrimental effect on the rest of your network, so isolating smart home devices isn't a bad idea. You could also just put the smart home devices on the 2.4GHz section of the new router.
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Dr. J
07-22-2021 at 07:33 AM.
07-22-2021 at 07:33 AM.
Hit and miss. I did the exact same thing around a year or so ago and I don't recall needing to reconfigure anything, and I probably have a couple dozen wireless devices.
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komondor
07-22-2021 at 06:01 PM.
07-22-2021 at 06:01 PM.
I do it quite a bit since I do testing of routers pretty much everything will pick back up
UNLESS you had a 2.4 GHZ router before and now you are using a dual band. I always keep mine separate.

I am currently running 2 routers a Linksys 6E and a Netgear Orbi triband mesh . all my devices found one or the other. 56 devices total!!
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