Please explain Fast Connect

[tom_l]

From the description in the ESPhome wifi component:

fast_connect ( Optional , boolean): If enabled, directly connects to WiFi network without doing a full scan first. This is required for hidden networks and can significantly improve connection times. Defaults to off . The downside is that this option connects to the first network the ESP sees, even if that network is very far away and better ones are available.

How would the device connect to other WiFi networks if the SSID and Password is only supplied for one WiFi connection? - as is usually the case when configuring WiFi, e.g.

wifi:
  ssid: MyHomeNetwork
  password: VerySafePassword

[nickrout]

@tom_l

How would the device connect to other WiFi networks if the SSID and Password is only supplied for one WiFi connection?

It wouldn’t, but it would still scan. This just, AFAIK, just stops the scanning. In my network there are two AP’s with the same SSID, so I want scanning so it connects to the stronger one.

[tom_l]

Ok looks like a worthwhile addition to my sleepy devices then. As they both have unique WiFi SSIDs to connect to.