my devices keep getting kicked onto the guest network or losing connection after i set up a nest wifi pro system

Diagnosis

The issue of devices migrating to the guest network or losing connectivity on a Nest WiFi Pro 6E system is typically caused by "SSID Confusion" or IP address collisions. This happens most frequently when users reuse the exact same Network Name (SSID) and Password from their previous router. Your devices store a "preferred network list" in their cache; when the Nest WiFi Pro broadcasts the same name, the device attempts to connect using old security protocols or cached lease information that is incompatible with the new 6E standard, causing the connection to drop or default to the Guest network as a fallback. Furthermore, if you have a modem/router combo (gateway) from your ISP still active, you are likely experiencing a "Double NAT" (Network Address Translation) scenario. The ISP gateway is trying to assign IP addresses via DHCP at the same time the Nest WiFi Pro is doing so. This creates a conflict where the device is assigned two different internal IP addresses, leading to intermittent drops or the device being kicked off the primary band and pushed to the guest network, which often has different routing rules and isolation settings.

How to Fix It

To resolve this, you must eliminate all legacy network remnants and ensure the Nest WiFi Pro has total control over the routing.

1. Power down your modem and all Nest WiFi Pro nodes. Unplug them from the wall for at least 60 seconds to clear the volatile memory.
2. Log into your ISP Gateway's admin panel (usually via 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and enable "Bridge Mode." This disables the ISP's internal routing and DHCP server, turning it into a simple modem. If you cannot find Bridge Mode, disable the "Wireless Radio" or "Wi-Fi" setting entirely in the gateway settings to prevent interference.
3. Plug in your primary Nest WiFi Pro node first. Wait for the light to pulse white, indicating it is ready for setup.
4. Open the Google Home app, go to Wi-Fi > Network Settings > Advanced Networking. Change your Network Name (SSID) to something unique (e.g., if it was "Home_WiFi," change it to "Home_WiFi_6E"). This forces every device to create a new, clean handshake with the 6E hardware.
5. Set a new, strong password. Do not reuse the password from your previous router.
6. Once the primary node is online, plug in your two satellite nodes. Ensure they are placed no more than 30 feet apart with no more than two walls between them to maintain a strong 6GHz backhaul.
7. On each problematic device (phone, laptop, IoT device), go to Wi-Fi settings and select "Forget Network" for the old SSID before connecting to the new one.

If That Didn't Work

• Disable WPA3 Transition Mode: Some older 2.4GHz devices (like smart plugs or older printers) cannot handle the WPA3 security standard used by 6E. In the Google Home app, navigate to the Wi-Fi settings and check if there is an option to toggle WPA3. If your devices are dropping, try switching to WPA2 to see if stability returns.
• Assign Static IPs for IoT: For devices that constantly drop, go to Google Home app > Wi-Fi > Devices, select the specific device, and assign a "Static IP" or "DHCP Reservation." This prevents the IP collision that often pushes devices toward the guest network.
• Check for DFS Interference: If you live near an airport or weather station, the 5GHz/6GHz bands may be hitting DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) channels. Move your primary node away from large metal objects or mirrors, which can cause signal reflection and trigger the system to shift channels, dropping connections.
• Perform a Factory Reset: If the instability persists, use the physical reset button on the bottom of the Pro nodes. Hold it for 15 seconds until the light turns solid yellow. Re-setup the system from scratch using a different SSID to ensure no legacy configurations are cached in the cloud profile.

Heads Up

• Avoid Mesh Overlap: Do not place your satellite nodes too close to the main router (less than 15 feet). This can cause "ping-ponging," where a device constantly switches between nodes, causing a temporary loss of connection.
• Cable Quality: If you are using a wired backhaul (Ethernet) between nodes, ensure you are using Cat6 or Cat6a cables. Using old Cat5 cables will bottleneck your 6E speeds and can cause stability issues.
• Guest Network Isolation: Remember that the Guest network on Nest WiFi Pro is designed for isolation. If a device is on the guest network, it will not be able to "see" your printer or Chromecast on the main network by design.
• Firmware Updates: Google frequently pushes 6E stability patches. If you see a "Update available" notification in the Google Home app, apply it immediately, as early 6E firmware had known issues with device hand-offs.