TP-Link has been one of the foremost providers for networking hardware from many years. They have provided some of the best routers, repeaters, IP cameras to the users from a very long time. While their routers are exceptional, there are always a few barriers that no router can cross. For example, the routers have a hard time providing the signals from thick concrete walls or on different floors on the buildings. There are always a few dead spots in the area where the signal from the wireless router just cannot reach properly. Due to this, the user has to roam around to different places and leave their comfort zone for a decent Wi-Fi signal. This is where the TP-Link Extender comes in. The TP-Link extender is a networking device that is used to boost the Wi-Fi signals from the router so that the user can enjoy their high speed Wi-Fi signal anywhere in the vicinity.
A Range Extender is a device that expands or extends the overall coverage of the Wi-Fi signals of the main router in order to eliminate the dead spots in the coverage area. The extender is placed between the router and the client who wishes to use the internet but just isn’t close enough to get a proper Wi-Fi signal or if the user is at the other side of the barrier and is facing some issues with the Wi-Fi signal piercing the barrier. The TP-Link Extender basically repeats the Wi-Fi signal from the main router and forwards it even further so that the Wi-Fi coverage can be expanded.
The TP-Link extender is required to be logged in by the user initially after its setup. The login process for the extender differs from the router but it is very easy and it only takes a couple of minutes of the user’s time. Here, we will help the users understand their TP-Link repeaters better by providing the troubleshooting steps to initially setup and login to the extender, to reset the extender, to change the Network Name (SSID) username and Network Key (passphrase) password for the extender as well.
Here are the troubleshooting steps to setup and login to the TP-Link extender:
- Plug in the TP-Link extender to a power source and switch it on.
- Open the network manager from the desktop computer that is connected to the TP-Link extender.
- Look for the TP-Link extender setup network. It will be an open network initially. Connect to it.
- Once you have connected to the TP-Link extender, open an internet browser and type 192.168.1.254 in the address bar. Press enter.
- Once the user reaches the admin login page, the user will be prompted to enter the default information regarding the extender. The default information is printed at the back of the extender.
- Now, you will see the name of the existing network that you wish to expand in the list of Network. Select the main network that you wish to expand and type in the password for that same network when prompted.
- In the next step, you can wish to change the username and password for your TP-Link Extender in the next step or you can wish to keep it as the default name and password.
- Click Next and save the settings. Your TP-Link Range Extender will now reboot.
- After the TP-Link Extender has finished rebooting, you can setup the extender wherever you desire within the range of the router that you wish to extend and start using it after logging in to the extender using the password of the extender.
Now, the TP-Link extender will have been successfully setup and logged in by the user. From here, the user can start configuring their network as they desire or that is most suitable to their needs.
Take Note:
- Make sure that the extender is placed exactly between the router and the desired area where the user wishes to increase the Wi-Fi signal for optimum performance.
Troubleshooting steps to reset the TP-Link extender:
- Locate the reset button at one of the either sides of the extender.
- Press and hold the reset button for about ten seconds. The LED will turn red to indicate that the extender has begun rebooting.
- Wait for about 30 seconds for the extender to reboot.
Take Note:
- Performing the reset will erase all the personalized settings on the extender. This action cannot be undone afterwards.
Troubleshooting steps to change the username and password for the TP-Link extender:
- Open any internet browser of your choice and type www.tplinkrepeater.net in the address bar to access the login page for the extender.
- Type in the default information when prompted. The web based interface will appear.
- Click on Administration. Under the Management tab, you will see the Network Name (SSID) field. Here, you can enter the new username for your TP-Link Extender.
- Under the Network Name (SSID), you will see the Network key field. There, you can change the password for your TP-Link Extender.
- Click the Save option to save the settings made.
Take Note:
- Do not enter any sensitive data or passphrase hints within the username as the username is still visible to nearby devices.
- Do not share the password with everybody except the people you wish to share your network with.
- Make sure that the password is not too easy for other people to guess.
Troubleshooting steps to update the firmware of the TP-Link extender:
- Open an internet browser of your choice on the computer that is connected to the TP-Link extender. Go to the TP-Link support website and select the Downloads tab.
- Type in the model number of your TP-Link extender in the search box provided and click on your model number. Click download under the Firmware tab to download the latest firmware for the extender.
- Using www.tplinkrepeater.net, login to the extender by entering the username and password. Click OK to log in.
- Select the Administration option. Then select the Firmware Upgrade tab from the menu.
- Now, select the Choose File option to locate the previously downloaded file and select it.
- Click Upload to upload the previously downloaded file. Click on the Start Upgrade option to begin the upgrade process of the firmware update.
Take Note:
- Do not download the firmware for the extender from any third party websites.
- Do not interrupt or unplug the extender from its power source during the update as it can damage the firmware of the extender.