An access point selector can implement functionality for selecting an access point that should establish a communication link with a client device attempting to join a communication network. The access point selector can receive notifications from access points, in response to the client device's button being activated. Information in the received notifications can be analyzed and one of the access points (that transmitted the notifications) can be selected to establish the communication link with the client device. In some embodiments, prior to selecting an access point that should establish the communication link with the client device, the access point selector can attempt to identify a designated access point (DAP) in the communication network. The access point selector may execute operations for selecting the access point only if the DAP cannot be identified in the communication network.