(Solved) Google wifi switch not working – How to fix
Google wifi can give you a reliable wifi signal throughout your home. It is a quality router that most people rely on. This device can wirelessly connect to other devices to blanket your home with a wifi signal.
You can add different LAN ports to your router by connecting them using a switch. This is a networking device that acts as a controller to enable the device to communicate with one another as they use a similar internet connection. If the Google wifi switch is not working, you may not get a stable internet connection. If you are using managed switches and the spanning tree protocol is on, it may not work as expected. Apart from that, if the switch you are using has power flickers, it may not work. Here is how to fix the problem.
Table of Contents
Find out how to connect Google wifi with a switch
If you are using Google wifi for the first time and wish to connect it with a switch, you should find out the right way to do this. A switch can help you add LAN ports to your router. To achieve this, you should first connect the Ethernet cable into the switch’s uplink port. Ensure that you connect the remaining end into the Google wifi router. Once the connection is finished, you should be able to use the devices without any issues. If you notice that the switch is not working, you can try the steps below.
How to fix the Google wifi switch that is not working
Restart the router from the Google wifi app
One of the basic techniques that are used to fix common issues, such as the Google wifi switch that is not working, is restarting the router from the app. Start by opening the Google wifi app then click on settings. This should direct you to the actions tab that contains a section labeled network and general. Click on it then tap wifi points. You should then proceed with selecting restart network and confirm. During this period, the internet connection will be interrupted for a few minutes. Restarting the router from the Google wifi app can, however, make the switch start working again.
Unplug power from the Google wifi switch
Ensure that you disconnect the Google wifi switch from the power outlet for a few seconds then plug it in again. Give your device some few minutes to turn back on. After this, you may notice your wired devices coming right back on their own. Doing the power down of all your devices connected to the network can solve the problem effortlessly. Alternatively, you should consider factory resetting the switch.
Turn off the spanning tree protocol
The spanning tree protocol is used to create a loop-free topology in Ethernet networks. It identifies any redundant links and disables ports to prevent looping. If you are utilizing managed switches in your home, you should ensure that you disable STP so that it no longer interferes with what your router needs.
Once you disable STP on the Google wifi switch, it should be able to start working accordingly. You can also avoid using managed switches since they don’t always work well with Google wifi. Also, consider getting a new switch if the one you use seems to be defective. You should also avoid a switch that has the same resemblance as the router.
Use good Ethernet cables
If you are working with poor Ethernet cables, the Google wifi switch will not work well. You should ensure that the Ethernet cables are in perfect condition to boost the performance of the switch. If you are thinking of replacing them, consider choosing high-quality cables from a well-known company.
You could also try to change the cable, which connects to Google wifi. Ensure that the cable connects to Google wifi firmly since any loose wiring can affect the performance negatively. Sometimes, the switch fails to work due to power flickers. You could try putting some UPS units in different locations. Doing this can ensure that your network will not experience problems that are often caused by power loss.
Wait for firmware updates to finish
Sometimes, you may notice the Google wifi switch failing to work during firmware updates. Automatic software updates occur on this device to ensure that it has the latest security. During this period, you should wait for the device to update automatically for some time. The switch is sometimes sensitive to such changes, but waiting a few minutes can help. Once the updates are over, you may be able to continue using the Google wifi switch without any problems.
Why Google wifi switch is not working |
How to fix |
Using managed switches |
You should avoid using such switches |
Enabling the spanning tree protocol |
Disable this protocol since it interferes with Google wifi |
Power flickers |
Put some UPS units on different locations in your home |
Firmware updates |
Give the router enough time to update itself automatically. |
Conclusion
The Google wifi switch is a crucial networking device that allows you to add LAN ports to the router. It facilitates communication between different devices within your home network. The process of using a switch to make the connection is straightforward. Some people, however, report issues with the switch not working as they expect. This can happen when you are using managed switches, and the spanning tree protocol is still enabled. Power flickers and a bad cable can also negatively affect the performance of the switch. Try to make adjustments as we have discussed above can help you solve the problem.
FAQs
Does Google wifi work with any switch?
This router should be able to work with any switch. This device does not, however, work well with managed switches.
Can getting a new switch to solve the problem?
Yes. If you have been using an old switch, you can consider getting a new one. An old switch doesn’t work well after a long time. Ensure you choose a quality switch from a reputable manufacturer.
