Choose ASUS AiMesh Ethernet Backhaul Mode or Per-Node Priority

AiMesh-supported hardware and firmware, not every ASUS router.

Applies to: AiMesh-supported hardware and firmware, not every ASUS router.

Checked: 2026-11-01 · Risk: caution · Status: source-grounded editorial draft; not hands-on tested.

Version gate: Official FAQ references the 386 firmware family and later supported implementations; per-model support still required.

Before you begin

Count wired and wireless nodes. The global Ethernet-only setting is not suitable while required nodes still depend on wireless uplinks.

Procedure

1. Bring each intended wired node online using its model-specific Ethernet connection instructions.
2. For an entirely wired AiMesh, open AiMesh > System Settings and locate Ethernet Backhaul Mode.
3. Enable the global mode only after confirming that every participating node has a working cable path.
4. For a mixed network, keep global Ethernet-only mode off and use the node’s Management > Backhaul Connection Priority where available.
5. Check each node individually rather than trusting only the main-router online indicator.

Verify the result

Every node remains reachable and its reported uplink matches the intended wired or wireless path.

Undo or recover

Turn off the global Ethernet-only mode before removing a node’s cable; restore its prior priority.

Stop and escalate

A missing menu or offline node requires the exact ASUS firmware/manual, not a forced firmware downgrade.

The steps above combine paraphrased official instructions with an original safety and test workflow. They are not a verbatim manual, a guaranteed fix, or evidence of a common hardware defect.

Official sources

• ASUS Ethernet Backhaul Mode and per-node priority — asus-backhaul; access: full_text.

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