When a device will not join the eero network served by a Beacon, check the device, the password and the band before the Beacon. Make sure the password is typed correctly and that the device's Wi-Fi is on and Airplane mode off. Older devices, including many smart plugs, cameras and printers, only use the 2.4 GHz band, and eero broadcasts one network name for both bands, so a device that struggles may do better if you move closer to the gateway or Beacon during setup.
The checks in more detail
Restart the device and, from the eero app, restart the system. Forget the network on the device and join again. If the device joins and then has no internet, check whether it is on the guest network. A device with a private or random address may be blocked by a filter in the eero app, so check Blocked devices and profiles.
Too many devices are rarely the cause. If one Beacon refuses a device and the gateway accepts it, the Beacon's position is poor. Updating the device's firmware also helps. If many devices fail after a router change or password change, the quickest fix is to confirm that the eero network name and password in the app match what the devices stored, because devices that remember an old password keep failing silently. Listing the failing devices and their last connection time in the app shows which devices are affected. Some older devices cannot handle a network name with special characters or spaces, and eero allows these, so renaming the network to a simple name of letters and numbers can fix a stubborn device.
Change it in the app, then reconnect devices, remembering that every device will need the new name.
Differential
Likely causes of “eero Beacon will not connect one device”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A wrong password or Airplane mode
What separates it The device will not join
How to confirm Retype the password and check the device
- 2
A 2.4 GHz-only device
What separates it The device fails to find the network
How to confirm Bring it close to the gateway during setup
- 3
A blocked device
What separates it The device joins but has no access
How to confirm eero app: check profiles and blocked devices
- 4
A stale connection
What separates it The device keeps failing
How to confirm Forget the network and rejoin
- 5
A poor Beacon position
What separates it Only far devices fail
How to confirm Move the Beacon closer
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The device type and its Wi-Fi band
- The password and network name
- Whether it is blocked in the app
- Whether it joins near the gateway
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedCheck the password
ReversibleRetype it carefully.
Bring the device near the gateway
ReversibleFor setup of 2.4 GHz-only devices.
Restart the device and the system
ReversibleFrom the eero app.
Check profiles and blocked devices
ReversibleIn the app.
Forget and rejoin
ReversibleOn the device.
Update the device
ReversibleInstall new firmware.
Check the network name and password in the app
ReversibleMake sure devices use the current ones.
Look at the device list's last seen times
ReversibleIdentify which devices stopped connecting and when.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Single name
- eero uses one name for both bands.
- Blocked devices
- The app can block a device.
- Old passwords
- Devices keep trying the old one.
- Last seen
- The app shows when a device last connected.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the device joins other networks but not eero, contact eero support
- !If it joins only near the gateway, adjust the Beacon
- !Update the device's firmware
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why won't my smart plug connect to eero?+
It may be 2.4 GHz only; set it up near the gateway.
Can eero block a device?+
Yes, through profiles and blocked devices.
Does the Beacon limit devices?+
Only through range.
Should I restart the system?+
Yes, from the app.
Why did all my devices fail after a change?+
They remember the old password.
How do I see which devices are offline?+
The app lists them.