A central management system polls a lighting node in a mesh lighting network, sending a command message for the node to measure a link quality indication (LQI) of the received command message. The node returns a status message, including in its payload the measured LQI. The management system computes from the node's status messages, a statistical characterization of the link quality of the node and compares it with a threshold quality value. If the comparison indicates sufficient degradation in link quality, the management system automatically transmits a disconnect command to the node. In response, the node disconnects and enters a discovery mode to find a better quality link to rejoin the network. In example embodiments, the lighting node may also report its illumination and operational status in the payload of the status message, along with the LQI, enabling the management system to determine whether illumination by the node is failing.