Homekit on extended WIFI with two routers

Hi Richard Mayer. Are the devices connected to the APs actually on the same network? IP addresses differ only in last octet? The APs should be in Bridge mode, with only one DHCP server running on the main router.

Hello,

did you find a solution for your problem?

I have the exact same problem. Main Router on the DSL line and two more routers (working as plain access points) extending the network (connected to the main Router via Ethernet).

Homekit works when connected to the first router, but not on the two other APs.

Same SSID and password on all the Wifi-APs.

Best regards

Richard

I think having two SSIDs is causing your problem.

Most wireless devices can only connect to one SSID at the time. For example: you can't connect to two hotspots at the same time. In your case the Apple TV is connected to your router, making it part of SSID I. Since it is part of SSID I, it cannot also connect to SSID II. This is why your HomeKit devices might be unavailable when you are connected to your bridge (SSID II).

Solutions:

- Make sure your bridge is operating correctly (proper connection);

- Also make sure your bridge isn't doing anything other than bridging;

- Try using one SSID for your entire wireless network by giving both nodes (your router and bridge) the same SSID.

- If possible, connect your Apple TV to your bridge (SSID II)

Hi reactive. I assume your wireless bridge is a WiFi-to-WiFi bridge, not a wireless access point connected by wire to the main router. Does that mean that the devices on the second SSID are on a different network (third octet of IP different)? If so, it will prevent them seeing the Apple TV hub, since all devices must be on the same network.

I've another suggestion that may help. HomeKit relies on the Apple Bonjour protocol, the same as AirPlay and Home Sharing. It uses multicast messages and mDNS to discover resources. You may be able to configure your router and bridge to ensure that these messages are propagated to all connected devices. Look for settings involving these terms, and also IGMP.

I assume that you can already communicate between devices on the two networks, not just acccess the internet. That would mean that your routers both have routing entries for access to the other network.