Table of Contents
Gaming Router_Configuration and User Guide_Web
About This Guide
This guide is a complement to the Installation Guide. The Installation Guide instructs you on a quick installation and setup, and this guide provides you detailed instructions for function configuration step by step.
When using this guide, please notice that features available of your router may vary by model and software version. It may also vary by region or ISP. All images, steps, and descriptions in this guide are only examples and may not reflect your actual experience.
Conventions
In this guide the following conventions are used:
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Convention |
Description |
|---|---|
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Underline |
Underlined words or phrases are hyperlinks. You can click to redirect to a website or a specific section. |
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Bold |
Contents to be emphasized and texts on the web page are in bold, including the menus, items, buttons and so on. |
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> |
The menu structures to show the path to load the corresponding page. For example, Settings > System Tools > Firmware Upgrade means the Firmware Upgrade page is under the System Tools menu that is located in the Settings tab. |
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Note: |
Ignoring this type of note might result in a malfunction or damage to the device. |
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Tip: |
Indicates important information that helps you make better use of your device. |
More Information
The latest software, management app and utility are available from Download Center at https://www.tp-link.com/support/.
The Quick Installation Guide can be found where you find this guide or inside the package of the extender.
Operating temperature, storage temperature, and other specifications can be found on the product page at https://www.tp-link.com.
Our Technical Support contact information can be found at the Contact Technical Support page at https://www.tp-link.com/support.
1. Set Up Internet Connection
This chapter introduces how to connect your router to the internet. The router is equipped with a web-based Quick Setup wizard. It has necessary ISP information built in, automates many of the steps and verifies that those steps have been successfully completed. Furthermore, you can also set up an IPv6 connection if your ISP provides IPv6 service.
It contains the following sections:
Quick Setup Via TP-Link Tether App
Manually Set Up Your Internet Connection
Set Up the Router as an Access Point
Set Up an IPv6 Internet Connection
1.1 Use Quick Setup Wizard
The Quick Setup Wizard will guide you to set up your router.
Tips: If you need the IPv6 internet connection, please refer to the section of Set Up an IPv6 Internet Connection.
Follow the steps below to set up your router.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router.
Note: Ensure that your management device is connected to the router, either through a wired or wireless connection. If it is not connected yet, try the methods below to establish a connection first:
Method 1: Wired
Turn off the Wi-Fi function on your computer and connect the devices to the LAN port of your router.
Method 2: Wirelessly
1) Find the SSIDs (Network Names) and Wireless Password printed on the label at the bottom of the router.
2) Click the network icon of your computer or go to Wi-Fi Settings of your smart device, and then select the SSID to join the network.
2. Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete Quick Setup configuration or go to Advanced > Quick Setup for configuration to connect your router to the internet. Then follow the step-by-step instructions to connect your router to the internet.
3. To enjoy a more complete service from TP-Link (remote management, TP-Link DDNS, and more.), log in with your TP-Link ID. Then follow the instructions to bind the cloud router to your TP-Link ID.
Note:
· To learn more about the TP-Link Cloud service, please refer to the 2. TP-Link Cloud Service section.
· If you do not want to register a TP-Link ID now, you may click Skip to proceed.
· If you have changed the preset wireless network name (SSID) and wireless password during the Quick Setup process, all your wireless devices (including your management device that is used to set up the router) must use the new SSID and password to connect to the router.
1.2 Quick Setup Via TP-Link Tether App
The Tether app runs on iOS and Android devices, such as smartphones and tablets.
1. Launch the Apple App Store or Google Play store and search “TP-Link Tether” or simply scan the QR code to download and install the app.
2. Launch the Tether app and log in with your TP-Link ID.
Note: If you don’t have a TP-Link ID, create one first.
3. Tap the + button and select Add a Router. Then follow the steps to complete the setup and connect to the internet.
4. Connect your devices to the router’s wireless network and enjoy the internet!
1.3 Manually Set Up Your Internet Connection
In this part, you can check your current internet connection settings. You can also modify the settings according to the service information provided by your ISP.
Follow the steps below to check or modify your internet connection settings.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Internet.
3. Select your internet connection type from the drop-down list.
4. Follow the instructions on the page to continue the configuration. Parameters on the figures are just used for demonstration.
1) If you choose Dynamic IP, you need to select whether to clone the MAC address. Dynamic IP users are usually equipped with a cable TV or fiber cable.
2) If you choose Static IP, enter the information provided by your ISP in the corresponding fields.
3) If you choose PPPoE, enter the username and password provided by your ISP. PPPoE users usually have DSL cable modems.
4) If you choose L2TP, enter the username and password and choose the Secondary Connection provided by your ISP. Different parameters are needed according to the Secondary Connection you have chosen.
5) If you choose PPTP, enter the username and password, and choose the Secondary Connection provided by your ISP. Different parameters are needed according to the Secondary Connection you have chosen.
5. Click SAVE.
Tips:
If you use Dynamic IP and PPPoE and you are provided with any other parameters that are not required on the page, please go to Advanced > Network > Internet to complete the configuration.
If you still cannot access the internet, refer to the FAQ section for further instructions.
1.4 Set Up the Router as an Access Point
The router can work as an access point, transforming your existing wired network to a wireless one.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Operation Mode, select Access Point Mode and click SAVE. The router will reboot and switch to Access Point mode.
3. After rebooting, connect the router to your existing wired router via an Ethernet cable.
4. Log in again to the web management page http://tplinkwifi.net, and go to Advanced > Quick Setup.
5. Configure your wireless settings and click Next.
6. Confirm the information and click SAVE. Now, you can enjoy your Wi-Fi.
Tips:
Functions, such as Parental Controls, QoS, NAT Forwarding, and Game Acceleration are not supported in the Access Point mode.
Functions, such as Guest Network, are the same as those in the Router mode.
1.5 Set Up an IPv6 Internet Connection
Your ISP provides information about one of the following IPv6 internet connection types: PPPoE, Dynamic IP(SLAAC/DHCPv6), Static IP, 6to4 tunnel, Pass-Through (Bridge).
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > IPv6.
3. Enable IPv6 and select the internet connection type provided by your ISP.
Tips:
If you do not know what your internet connection type is, contact your ISP or judge according to the already known information provided by your ISP.
4. Fill in information as required by different connection types.
1 ) Static IP: Fill in blanks and click SAVE.
2) Dynamic IP(SLAAC/DHCPv6): Click Advanced Settings to input further information if your ISP requires. Click SAVE and then click Renew.
3) PPPoE: By default, the router uses the IPv4 account to connect to the IPv6 server. Click Advanced to input further information if your ISP requires. Click SAVE and then click Connect.
Note:
If your ISP provides two separate accounts for the IPv4 and IPv6 connections, manually enter the username and password for the IPv6 connection.
4) 6to4 Tunnel: An IPv4 internet connection type is a prerequisite for this connection type (Manually Set Up Your Internet Connection). Click Advanced to input further information if your ISP requires. Click SAVE and then click Connect.
5) Pass-Through (Bridge): Click SAVE and skip to Step 6.
5. Configure LAN ports. Windows users are recommended to choose from the first two types. Fill in Address Prefix provided by your ISP, and click SAVE.
6. You can go to Network Map to check whether you have successfully set up an IPv6 connection.
Tips: Visit the FAQ section if there is no internet connection.
1.6 Set up IPv6 Firewall Rules
IPv6 Firewall protects your IPv6 network by preventing access from the internet. However, when you are hosting a service, such as a file sharing server in your local network, you can choose to allow access to the server from the internet by adding entries on this page. This feature is available only when you’ve set up an IPv6 connection.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > IPv6, and locate the Firewall Rules section.
3. Click Add.
4. Select a service from the drop-down list of Service Type. The Port and Protocol will be automatically filled in. It is recommended to keep the default Port and Protocol if you are unsure about which to use. If the service is not listed, please manually enter the Service Type, and specify the Port and Protocol.
5. Specify a Service Name for the rule.
6. In the Internal IP field, enter a valid IPv6 address to run the service. You can click Select from clients, choose a local host device, and its IPv6 address will be automatically filled in as the Internal IP.
7. Click SAVE.
2. TP-Link Cloud Service
This chapter introduces how to register a new TP-Link ID, bind or unbind TP-Link IDs to manage your router, and the Tether app with which you can manage your home network no matter where you may find yourself.
It contains the following sections:
Change Your TP-Link ID Information
Manage the Router via the TP-Link Tether App
2.1 Register a TP-Link ID
If you have skipped the registration during the Quick Setup process, you can:
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > TP-Link ID.
3. Click SIGN UP and follow the instructions to register a TP-Link ID.
4. After activating your TP-Link ID, come back to the TP-Link ID page to log in. The TP-Link ID used to log in to the router for the first time will be automatically bound as an Owner.
Note:
To learn more about the Owner and User TP-Link ID, refer to Manage the User TP-Link IDs.
Once you have registered a TP-Link ID on the web management page, you can only register another TP-Link ID via the Tether APP. Please refer to Manage the Router via the TP-Link Tether App to install the app.
If you want to unbind the admin TP-Link ID from your router, please go to Advanced > TP-Link ID, an click Unbind in the Device Information section.
2.2 Change Your TP-Link ID Information
Follow the steps below to change your email address and password of your TP-Link ID as needed.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID.
2. Go to Advanced > TP-Link ID, and focus on the TP-Link ID section.
To change your email address:
1. Click the Edit icon 
behind the Email.
2. Enter the password of your TP-Link ID, then a new email address. And click SAVE.
To change your password:
1. Click the Edit icon behind the Password.
2. Enter the current password, then a new password twice. And click SAVE.
2.3 Manage the User TP-Link IDs
The TP-Link ID used to log in to the router for the first time will be automatically bound as the Owner account. An admin account can add or remove other TP-Link IDs to or from the same router as Users. All accounts can monitor and manage the router locally or remotely, but user accounts cannot:
· Reset the router to its factory default settings either on the web management page or in the Tether app.
· Add/remove other TP-Link IDs to/from the router.
2.3.1 Add TP-Link ID to Manage the Router
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID.
2. Go to Advanced > TP-Link ID, and focus on the Bound TP-Link IDs section.
3. Click + Bind, enter another TP-Link ID as needed and click BIND.
Note: If you need another TP-Link ID, please register a new one via the Tether app. Refer to Manage the Router via the TP-Link Tether App to install the app and register a new TP-Link ID.
4. The new TP-Link IDs will be displayed in the section. Only the TP-Link ID used to log in to the router for the first time will be automatically set as the Owner account.
2.3.2 Remove TP-Link ID(s) from Managing the Router
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID.
2. Go to Advanced > TP-Link ID, and focus on the Bound TP-Link IDs section.
3. Select the TP-Link ID(s) you want to remove and click the Delete icon 
.
4. Confirm by clicking OK.
2.4 Manage the Router via the TP-Link Tether App
The Tether app runs on iOS and Android devices, such as smartphones and tablets.
1. Launch the Apple App Store or Google Play store and search “TP-Link Tether” or simply scan the QR code to download and install the app.
2. Launch the Tether app and log in with your TP-Link ID.
Note: If you don’t have a TP-Link ID, create one first.
3. Connect your device to the router’s wireless network.
4. Go back to the Tether app, select the model of your router and log in with the password you set for the router.
5. Manage your router as needed.
Note: If you need to remotely access your router from your smart devices, you need to:
- Log in with your TP-Link ID. If you don’t have one, refer to Register a TP-Link ID.
- Make sure your smartphone or tablet can access the internet with cellular data or a Wi-Fi network.
3. Wireless Settings
This chapter guides you on how to configure the wireless settings. It contains the following sections:
Schedule Your Wireless Function
Use WPS for Wireless Connection
3.1 Specify Wireless Settings
The router’s wireless network names (SSIDs), password, and security option are preset in the factory. The preset SSIDs and password can be found on the label of the router. You can customize the wireless settings according to your needs.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Wireless or Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
To enable or disable TWT:
TWT (Target Wake Time) allows 802.11ax routers and clients to negotiate their periods to transmit and receive data packets. Clients only wake up at TWT sessions and remain in sleep mode for the rest of the time, which significantly extend their battery life. It is disabled by default.
1. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
2. Enable TWT.
To enable or disable OFDMA:
OFDMA enables multiple users to transmit data simultaneously, and thus greatly improves speed and efficiency. Noted that only when your clients also support OFDMA, can you fully enjoy the benefits. It is disabled by default.
1. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
2. Enable OFDMA+MU-MIMO or OFDMA only.
To use the Smart Connect function:
Smart Connect combines the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and assigns your devices between them to balance network demands, while leaving the brand-new 6 GHz band (if supported) exclusive for your devices to unleash the most out of the latest Wi-Fi.
1. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
2. Enable Smart Connect.
3. Keep the default values or set a new SSID and password, and click SAVE. This SSID and password will be applied for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless networks. If you want to configure the wireless settings separately for each band, deselect the checkbox to disable this feature.
To enable or disable the wireless function:
1. Go to Wireless or Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
2. The wireless bands are enabled by default. If you want to disable a wireless band, just deselect its Enable checkbox.
To change the wireless network name (SSID) and wireless password:
1. Go to Wireless or Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
2. Create a new SSID in Network Name (SSID) and customize the password for the network in Password. The value is case-sensitive.
Note: If you change the wireless settings with a wireless device, you will be disconnected when the settings are effective. Please write down the new SSID and password for future use.
To hide SSID:
1. Go to Wireless or Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
2. Select Hide SSID, and your SSID won’t display when you scan for local wireless networks on your wireless device and you need to manually enter its network name and password to join the network.
To change the security option:
1. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
2. Select an option from the Security drop-down list. We recommend you don’t change the default settings unless necessary.
To change channel settings:
1. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
2. Select a Channel Width (bandwidth) for the wireless network. It is recommended to just leave it as default.
3. Select an operating Channel for the wireless network. It is recommended to leave the channel to Auto if you are not experiencing the intermittent wireless connection issue.
For the 6 GHz network, you can select the Enable PSC checkbox. When PSC (Preferred Scanning Channel) is enabled, only channels with higher connectivity will be reserved to ensure 6 GHz device connections.
To change the transmission mode:
1. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
2. For the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, disable Smart Connect, then select a transmission Mode according to your wireless client devices. It is recommended to just leave it as the default. The 6 GHz network (if supported) supports 802.11ax only and 802.11ax/be mixed mode, and you can change it as needed.
3.2 Schedule Your Wireless Function
The wireless network can be automatically off at a specific time when you do not need the wireless connection.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Schedule.
3. Enable the Wireless Schedule feature.
4. Click Add 
to specify a wireless off period during which you need the wireless off automatically, and click SAVE.
Note:
- The Effective Time Schedule is based on the time of the router. You can go to Advanced > System > Time Settings to modify the time.
- The wireless network will remain on for the rest of the time.
3.3 Use WPS for Wireless Connection
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) provides an easier approach to set up a security-protected Wi-Fi connection.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Make sure the Wi-Fi of your router is on and go to Advanced > Wireless > WPS.
3.3.1 Connect via the Client’s PIN
Enter the PIN of your device and click Connect. Then your device will get connected to the router.
7.3.2 Connect via the Router’s PIN
Select Router’s PIN in Method 1 to enable Router’s PIN. You can use the default PIN or generate a new one.
Note:
PIN (Personal Identification Number) is an eight-character identification number preset to each router. WPS supported devices can connect to your router with the PIN. The default PIN is printed on the label of the router.
3.3.3 Push the WPS Button
Click Start on the screen or directly press the router’s WPS button. Within two minutes, enable WPS on your personal device. Success will appear on the screen and the WPS LED of the router should change. You can refer to the router's QIG in the package for the LED effect that indicate a successful WPS connection.
3.4 Advanced Wireless Settings
Check advanced wireless settings for your device.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Additional Settings.
3. Configure advanced wireless settings.
• WMM - WMM - Guarantees the packets with high-priority messages being transmitted preferentially.
• AP Isolation - Isolates all connected wireless stations so that wireless stations cannot access each other through WLAN.
• Airtime Fairness - Improve the overall network performance by sacrificing a little bit of network time on your slow devices.
• Beacon Interval - Enter a value between 40 and 1000 in milliseconds to determine the duration between beacon packets that are broadcasted by the router to synchronize the wireless network. The default value is 100 milliseconds.
• RTS Threshold - Enter a value between 1 and 2346 to determine the packet size of data transmission through the router. By default, the RTS (Request to Send) Threshold size is 2346. If the packet size is greater than the preset threshold, the router will send RTS frames to a particular receiving station and negotiate the sending of a data frame.
• DTIM Interval - The value determines the interval of DTIM (Delivery Traffic Indication Message). Enter a value between 1 and 15 intervals. The default value is 1, which indicates the DTIM Interval is the same as Beacon Interval.
• Group Key Update Period - Enter a number of seconds (minimum 30) to control the time interval for the encryption key automatic renewal. The default value is 0, meaning no key renewal.
4. Guest Network
It contains the following sections:
Customize Guest Network Options
4.1 Create a Network for Guests
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Guest Network or click Wireless on the top page. Locate the Guest Network section.
3. Create a guest network as needed.
1) Tick the Enable checkbox for the 2.4GHz, 5 GHz, or 6GHz (if any) wireless network.
2) Customize the SSID. Don‘t select Hide SSID, unless you want your guests to manually input the SSID and password for guest network access.
3) Enable Bandwidth Control if you want to limit the network speed of your guests. Then enter the limited bandwidth value.
4) Set the Effective Time for how long the Guest Network turns on.
5) Select the Security type and customize your own password. If Open is selected, no password is needed to access the guest network.
4. Click SAVE. Now your guests can access your guest network using the SSID and password you set!
5. You can also click Share Network to share the SSID and password to your guests via a QR code.
4.2 Customize Guest Network Options
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Guest Network. Locate the Guest Permissions section.
3. Customize guest network options according to your needs.
• Allow guests to see each other
Tick this checkbox if you want to allow the wireless clients on your guest network to communicate with each other via methods such as network neighbors and Ping.
• Allow guests to access your local network
Tick this checkbox if you want to allow the wireless clients on your guest network to communicate with the devices connected to your router’s LAN ports or main network via methods such as network neighbors and Ping.
4. Click SAVE. Now allows visitors to access the internet while keeping your main home Wi-Fi and personal data private and secure.
5. IoT Network
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Wireless > IoT Network.
3. Create an IoT network as needed.
4. Tick the Enable checkbox for the 2.4GHz, or 5 GHz wireless network. For the 5 GHz network, make sure your IoT devices can connect to a 5 GHz network.
1) Customize the SSID. Don‘t select Hide SSID unless you want your IoT devices to manually input the SSID for network access.
2) Select the Security type and customize your own password. If Open is selected, no password is needed to access the IoT network.
5. Click SAVE. Now you can connect your IoT devices to the dedicated IoT network.
6. You can also click Sharing Network to share the SSID and password to others via a QR code.
6. USB Settings
The router supports USB external flash drives and hard drives. It contains the following sections:
6.1 Access the Storage Sharing
Insert your USB storage device into the router’s USB port and then access files stored there locally or remotely.
Tips:
If you use USB hubs, make sure no more than 4 devices are connected to the router.
If the USB storage device requires using bundled external power, make sure the external power has been connected.
If you use a USB hard drive, make sure its file system is FAT32, exFat, NTFS or HFS+.
Before you physically disconnect a USB device from the router, safely remove it to avoid data damage: Go to Advanced > USB > Storage Sharing and click Remove.
6.1.1 Access the USB Device Locally
Insert your USB storage device into the router’s USB port and then refer to the following table to access files stored on your USB storage device.
For Windows computer:
• Method 1:
Go to Computer > Network, then click the Network Server Name (TP- SHARE by default) in the Computer section.
Note: Operations in different systems are similar. Here we take Windows 7 as an example.
• Method 2:
Open the Windows Explorer (or go to Computer) and type the server address \\tplinkwifi.net or ftp://tplinkwifi.net in the address bar, then press Enter.
For Mac:
1) Select Go > Connect to Server.
2) Type the server address smb://tplinkwifi.net.
3) Click Connect.
4) When prompted, select the Guest radio box. (If you have set up a username and a password to deny anonymous access to the USB disks, you should select the Registered User radio box. To learn how to set up an account for the access, refer to To Set Up Authentication for Data Security)
For Tablet:
Use a third-party app for network files management.
Tip: You can also access your USB storage device by using your Network/Media Server Name as the server address. Refer to To Customize the Address of the USB Storage Device to learn more.
6.1.2 Access the USB Device Remotely
You can access your USB disk outside the local area network. For example, you can:
• Share photos and other large files with your friends without logging in to (and paying for) a photo-sharing site or email system.
• Get a safe backup for the materials for a presentation.
• Remove the files on your camera’s memory card from time to time during the journey.
Note: If your ISP assigns a private WAN IP address (such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x), you cannot use this feature because private addresses are not routed on the internet.
Follow the steps below to configure remote access settings.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > USB > Storage Sharing.
3. Toggle the 
button to enable Internet FTP.
4. Refer to the following to access your USB disk remotely.
For Computer:
1) Open the Windows Explorer (or go to Computer, only for Windows users) or open a web browser.
2) Type the server address in the address bar:
Type ftp://<WAN IP address of the router>:<port number> (such as ftp://59.40.2.243:21). If you have specified the domain name of the router, you can also type ftp://<domain name>:<port number> (such as ftp://MyDomainName:21)
3) Press Enter key.
4) Access with the username and password you set in To Set Up Authentication for Data Security.
Tip: You can also access the USB disk via a third-party app for network files management, which can resume broken file transfers.
For Tablet:
Use a third-party app for network files management.
6.1.3 Customize the Access Settings
By default, all the network clients can access all folders on your USB disk. You can customize your sharing settings by setting a sharing account, sharing specific contents and setting a new sharing address on the router’s web management page.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > USB > USB Storage Device.
To Customize the Address of the USB Storage Device:
You can customize the server name and use the name to access your USB storage device.
1. In the Access Method session, enable Samba for Windows, and enter a Network/Media Server Name as you like, such as MyShare, then click SAVE.
2. Now you can access the USB storage device by visiting \\MyShare (for Windows) or smb://MyShare (for Mac).
To Only Share Specific Content:
Focus on the File Sharing section. Specify sharing folders that you want to share and click SAVE.
To Set Up Authentication for Data Security:
You can set up authentication for your USB storage device so that network clients will be required to enter username and password when accessing the USB storage device.
1. In the File Sharing section, enable Secure Sharing.
2. Click the Edit icon 
to modify the access account. The username and password are both admin for default administrator account, and both visit for default visitor account. Accessing as an administrator can read and modify the shared folders while visitors can only read the shared folders.
Note:
For Windows users, do not set the sharing username the same as the Windows username. Otherwise, Windows credential mechanism may cause the following problems:
- If the sharing password is also the same as the Windows password, authentication will not work since the Windows will automatically use its account information for USB access.
- If the sharing password is different from the Windows password, the Windows will be unable to remember your credentials and you will always be required to enter the sharing password for USB access.
- Due to Windows credential mechanism, you might be unable to access the USB disk after changing Authentication settings. Please log out from the Windows and try to access again. Or you can change the address of the USB disk by referring to To Customize the Address of the USB Storage Device.
6.2 Media Sharing
The feature of Media Sharing allows you to view photos, play music and watch movies stored on the USB storage device directly from DLNA-supported devices, such as your computer, tablet and PS2/3/4.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > USB > USB Storage Device.
3. Enable Media Sharing.
4. When your USB storage device is inserted into the router, your DLNA-supported devices (such as your computer and pad) connected to the router can detect and play the media files on the USB storage devices.
For Windows Computer:
Go to Computer > Network, then click the Media Server Name (Model number-share by default) in the Media Devices section.
Note: Here we take Windows 7 as an example.
For Tablet:
Use a third-party DLNA-supported player.
6.3 Time Machine
Note: For GE230, the Time Machine feature is not supported.
Time Machine backs up all files on your Mac computer to a USB storage device connected to your router.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > USB > Time Machine.
3. Tick the checkbox to enable Time Machine.
4. Click SELECT to select a location for Time Machine backups.
5. Set the Storage Limit for Backups.
Note: 0 means no limit for the space.
6. Click SAVE.
7. HomeShield
Customize your home network with enhanced security using a kit of features built in TP-Link HomeShield. Whether protecting your sensitive data or limiting the access of kids and guests, TP-Link HomeShield provides you the tools you need to fully manage your network.
It contains the following sections:
*For an easier way to check your home network protection system, you can download the Tether app to enjoy full Homeshield features.
7.1 Network Check
Scan your whole network to help analyze and optimize your network.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > HomeShield > Network Check.
3. Click SCAN.
4. Optimize your network according to the tips.
7.2 Parental Controls
Parental Controls allows you to set up unique restrictions on internet access for each member of your family. You can block inappropriate content, set daily limits for the total time spent online and restrict internet access to certain times of the day.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > HomeShield > Parental Controls.
3. Click 
to create a profile for your family members.
4. Fill in basic profile information.
1) Enter a Name for the profile to make it easier to identify.
2) Set the Age to get the corresponding filter level.
3) Select Add Device to add devices that belong to this family member. Access restrictions will be applied to these added devices.
Note: Only devices that have previously been connected to your router’s network are listed here. If you are unable to find the device you want to add, connect it to your network and then try again.
4) Click NEXT.
5. Specify content to be blocked for this profile.
1) Select the content categories to block in the Content Filter list.
2) You can also block a specific website. Enter a keyword (for example, “Facebook”) or a URL (for example, “www.facebook.com”), then click Add.
3) Click NEXT.
6. Set time restrictions on internet access.
1) Enable Bedtime and use the up/down arrows or enter times in the fields. Devices under this profile will be unable to access the internet during this time period.
2) Click SAVE.
3) After adding a profile, you can click the Insight icon 
to check the detailed visited history, and click the stop icon 
to pause the network for this profile anytime. You can also modfiy the profile by clicking the edit icon 
.
Note: You can go to Advanced > HomeShield > More Features for a detailed introduction and download Tether to enjoy full Homeshield premium features.
7.3 QoS
QoS (Quality of Service) allows you to prioritize connection of specific devices for a set duration. Devices set as high priority will be allocated more bandwidth and so continue to run smoothly even when there is heavy traffic on the network.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > HomeShield > QoS.
3. Enable QoS to set the total bandwidth. Then click SAVE.
4. Select an activity to prioritize the internet traffic of the specific applications to guarantee a faster connection.
7.4 More Features
Download the Tether app and subscribe to enjoy the full features of HomeShield.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > HomeShield > More Features.
3. Follow the web instructions to get full features of HomeShield.
8. Gaming Center
This chapter will show some gaming related information and guide you on how to protect and accelerate your gaming.
It contains the following sections:
Check Key Parameters on Game Panel
Game Acceleration
Game Port Forwarding
Game Statictics
Game Detector
Game Diagnostics
8.1 Check Key Parameters on Game Panel
You can check key parameters related to your router, including the RGB effects, network traffic of the WAN port, Performance of the router, and connected USB devices. You can also check your boosting devices on the Game Dashboard.
Note: Here uses Archer GE400 as an exmpale.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Game Center > Game Panel.
3. Click RGB Effects to choose a preferred RGB effect. By default, the Fire effect is used.
4. Click Network Traffic to view the real-time upload and download speed for the WAN port.
5. Click Performance to view the current status CPU load and memory usage.
6. Click Connected USB Devices to view the total and available memory capacity of connected USB devices. Click the edit button to transfer to the USB settings page for sharing files and media from the USB storage devices. You can also go to Advanced > USB > USB Storage Device for configuration.
7. Go to Game Dashboard to check your game acceleration status and boosting devices. Click Add to prioritize internet traffic for more devices.
8.2 Game Acceleration
This router features various game acceleration tools, including QoS, Game Server Acceleration, and Gear Acceleration, which boost game speeds so that your games always run at top performance.
8.2.1 Game Application Boost
Prioritize the internet traffic of specific application or devices to guarantee a faster connection.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Game Center > Game Acceleration > Game Application Boost:and enable Game Application Boost.
3. Fill in the maximum upload and download bandwidth provided by your ISP.
4. Click Games to boost online gaming speeds.
8.2.2 Game Server Acceleration
Game Server Acceleration automatically optimizes route selection, connecting your network to your game server via the shortest route for the lowest latency and ping time.Register a WTFast account before using this third-party service.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Game Center > Game Acceleration > Game Server Acceleration.
3. Log in to the account of your subscribed GPN service.
4. In Device Boost List, click 
.
5. Select the device you want to accelerate and click SAVE.
6. Select the device type and click SAVE.
7. Select a game on the device and click SAVE.
8. Toggle the Enable button of the device on the list when you’re playing the game.
8.2.3 Gear Acceleration
Gear Acceleration prioritizes and accelerates your game devices on a crowded network to reduce game latency and boost game speed.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Game Center > Game Acceleration > Gear Acceleration.
3. Turn on Device Priority and select the acceleration duration for a specific device to prioritize the internet traffic of it.
8.3 Game Port Forwarding
Gaming Port Forwarding includes built-in rules for popular online games. Simply select your game from the list and configure basic settings for it.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Game Center > Game Port Forwarding.
3. Click .
4. Select a game to create a game profile.
5. Fill in the profile information and your game device IP address.
6. Click SAVE. You can turn on/off and modify the port forwarding for this profile anytime.
8.4 Game Statistics
View your recently played games.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Game Center > Game Statistics to check your recent game statistics.
8.5 Game Detector
Game Detector tests and displays the real-time ping of your game servers without affecting game acceleration. All game titles, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Game Center > Game Detector.
3. Choose a game to check the real-time server ping information.
8.6 Game Diagnostics
Gear Diagnostics is used to test the connectivity between the router and the host or other network devices while gaming. Please refer to Test the Network Connectivity to learn how to use Game Diagnostics.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Game Center > Game Diagnostics.
3. Enter the information:
1) Choose Ping or Traceroute as the diagnostic tool to test the connectivity;
- Ping is used to test the connectivity between the router and the tested host, and measure the round-trip time.
- Traceroute is used to display the route (path) your router has passed to reach the tested host, and measure transit delays of packets across an Internet Protocol network.
2) Enter the IP Address or Domain Name of the tested host.
3) Modify the Ping Count number and the Ping Packet Size. It’s recommended to keep the default value.
4) If you have chosen Traceroute, you can modify the Traceroute Max TTL. It’s recommended to keep the default value.
4. Click START to begin the diagnostics.
The figure below indicates the proper connection between the router and the Yahoo server (www.Yahoo.com) tested through Ping.
The figure below indicates the proper connection between the router and the Yahoo server (www.Yahoo.com) tested through Traceroute.
9. EasyMesh with Seamless Roaming
This product is compatible with EasyMesh. This chapter introduces the EasyMesh feature.
It contains the following sections:
Add a Router as a Satellite Device
Add a Range Extender as a Satellite Device
Manage Devices in the EasyMesh Network
EasyMesh routers and extenders work together to form one unified Wi-Fi network. Walk through your home and stay connected with the fastest possible speeds thanks to EasyMesh’s seamless coverage.
Note: Routers and range extenders must be compatible with EasyMesh or OneMesh™. Firmware upgrades may be required. To confirm if your model supports EasyMesh, please check TP-Link EasyMesh Compatibility List.
9.1 Add a Router as a Satellite Device
Method 1 Via an Ethernet cable
1. Connect your gaming router’s LAN port to the satellite device’s LAN port via an Ethernet cable.
2. Connect the power adapter to the satellite device, then power on and reset it. Then the device will be added to the network automatically.
Note: You can check whether the router is added to the network on your gaming router’s web management page or the Tether app.
Method 2 Via the WPS button
1. Place the router next to your gaming router, then power on and reset it.
2. Press the WPS button on your gaming router.
3. Press the WPS button on the new router within 2 minutes. Then the router will be added to the network automatically.
Note: You can check whether the router is added to the network on your gaming router’s web management page or the Tether app.
Method 3 Via the Tether app
1. Connect your Laptop/PC/Mobile phone to your gaming router’s Wi-Fi.
2. Open the Tether app, select your gaming router and log in with your TP-Link ID.
3. Go to More > EasyMesh to toggle on the EasyMesh button.
4. Tap Add Satellite Devices. Then select a satellite device type and follow the step-by- step instructions to add another router.
Note: After being successfully added to the EasyMesh network, the satellite device will appear in the EasyMesh Network list.
Method 4 Via the web browser
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > EasyMesh, and enable EasyMesh.
3. Scroll down to locate the Mesh Device Detail, click 
, and select TP-Link Router. Then click NEXT to continue.
4. Follow the page instructions to prepare your satellite router, then click DONE.
5. The satellite router will display in the Mesh Device Detail section or Mesh Devices list on Network Map, once added successfully.
9.2 Add a Range Extender as a Satellite Device
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > EasyMesh, and enable EasyMesh.
3. Plug in the extender next to the main router.
4. Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on main router and on the extender. Wait until the WPS process is complete.
5. Done! You can check the range extender on the router’s web page too.
9.3 Manage Devices in the EasyMesh Network
In an EasyMesh network, you can manage all mesh devices and connected clients on your main router’s web page.
To view mesh devices and connected clients in the network:
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Network Map.
3. Click Mesh Devices to view all mesh devices, and click Clients to view all connected clients.
To manage an EasyMesh device in the network:
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > EasyMesh and locate the Mesh Device Detail section.
3. Use the Modify buttons to manage your mesh devices.
- Click
to edit device information. Select MANAGE to redirect to the web management page of this device. - Click
to reboot your mesh device. This may cause your Mesh network to be offline for a few minutes. - Click
to delete this device from the EasyMesh network.
10. Network Security
This chapter guides you on how to protect your home network from cyber-attacks and unauthorized users by implementing these three network security functions. You can protect your home network from cyber-attacks, block or allow specific client devices to access your network using Access Control, or you can prevent ARP spoofing and ARP attacks using IP & MAC Binding.
It contains the following sections:
Protect the Network from Cyber Attacks
Note: For a more comprehensive home network protection system, refer to the HomeShield chapter.
10.1 Protect the Network from Cyber Attacks
The SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) Firewall protects the router from cyber attacks and validate the traffic that is passing through the router based on the protocol. This function is enabled by default.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Security > Firewall. It’s recommended to keep the default settings.
10.2 Access Control
Access Control is used to block or allow specific client devices to access your network (via wired or wireless) based on a list of blocked devices (Deny List) or a list of allowed devices (Allow List).
I want to:
Block or allow specific client devices to access my network (via wired or wireless).
How can I do that?
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Security > Access Control.
3. Toggle on to enable Access Control.
4. Click Change Mode and select the access mode to either block (recommended) or allow the device(s) in the list.
To block specific device(s):
1) Select Deny List.
2) Click 
and select devices you want to be blocked. You can add a device from device list or manually with its Device Name and MAC Address.
3) The operation succeeded message will appear on the screen, which means the selected devices have been successfully added to the Deny List.
To allow specific device(s):
1) Click change mode and select Allow List and click Change.
2) Your own management device is in the Allow List by default and cannot be deleted. Click 
to add other devices into the Allow List.
3) Add a device from device list or manually with its Device Name and MAC Address.
4) The Operation Succeeded message will appear on the screen, which means the selected devices have been successfully added to the Allow List.
Done! Now you can block or allow specific client devices to access your network (via wired or wireless) using the Allow List or Deny List.
10.3 IP & MAC Binding
IP & MAC Binding, namely, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) Binding, is used to bind network device’s IP address to its MAC address. This will prevent ARP Spoofing and other ARP attacks by denying network access to a device with matching IP address in the Binding list, but unrecognized MAC address.
I want to:
Prevent ARP spoofing and ARP attacks.
How can I do that?
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Security > IP & MAC Binding.
3. Enable IP & MAC Binding.
4. Bind your device(s) according to your need.
1) Locate Binding List section, click 
.
2) To bind the connected devices, click VIEW CONNECTED DEVICES and select the device you want to bind. The MAC Address and IP Address fields will be automatically filled in. To bind the unconnected devices, enter the MAC Address and IP Address that you want to bind.
3) Click SAVE.
5. Done! Now you don’t need to worry about ARP spoofing and ARP attacks!
10.4 ALG
ALG allows customized NAT traversal filters to be plugged into the gateway to support address and port translation for certain application layer “control/data” protocols such as FTP, TFTP, H323 etc. It is recommended to keep the default settings.
You may need to disable SIP ALG when you are using voice and video applications to create and accept a call through the router, since some voice and video communication applications do not work well with SIP ALG.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Security > ALG.
10.5 Device Isolation
Some devices, such as IoT devices, are vulnerable to security threats. To keep your important devices and data safe, you can isolate these devices to protect your network from being infected.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Security > Device Isolation. Enable Device Isolation.
3.Click 
and select the devices that need isolation. Click ADD to save.
Done!
With this feature enabled, isolated devices can still access the internet and communicate with other isolated devices. However, isolated devices cannot transfer data with other devices connected to your home network, including managing gateway devices, accessing USB devices (if supported), etc.
11. NAT Forwarding
The router’s NAT (Network Address Translation) feature makes devices on the LAN use the same public IP address to communicate with devices on the internet, which protects the local network by hiding IP addresses of the devices. However, it also brings about the problem that an external host cannot initiatively communicate with a specified device on the local network.
With the forwarding feature the router can penetrate the isolation of NAT and allows devices on the internet to initiatively communicate with devices on the local network, thus realizing some special functions.
The TP-Link router supports four forwarding rules. If two or more rules are set, the priority of implementation from high to low is Port Forwarding, Port Triggering, UPNP and DMZ.
It contains the following sections:
Share Local Resources on the Internet by Port Forwarding
Open Ports Dynamically by Port Triggering
Make Applications Free from Port Restriction by DMZ
Make Xbox Online Games Run Smoothly by UPnP
11.1 Share Local Resources on the Internet by Port Forwarding
When you build up a server on the local network and want to share it on the internet, Port Forwarding can realize the service and provide it to internet users. At the same time Port Forwarding can keep the local network safe as other services are still invisible from the internet.
Port Forwarding can be used for setting up public services on your local network, such as HTTP, FTP, DNS, POP3/SMTP and Telnet. Different services use different service ports. Port 80 is used in HTTP service, port 21 in FTP service, port 25 in SMTP service and port 110 in POP3 service. Please verify the service port number before the configuration.
I want to:
Share my personal website I’ve built in local network with my friends through the internet.
For example, the personal website has been built on my home PC (192.168.0.100). I hope that my friends on the internet can visit my website in some way. The PC is connected to the router with the WAN IP address 218.18.232.154.
How can I do that?
1. Assign a static IP address to your PC, for example 192.168.0.100.
2. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
3. Go to Advanced > NAT Forwarding > Port Forwarding.
4. Click 
to create a new entry.
5. Click VIEW COMMON SERVICES and select HTTP. The External Port, Internal Port and Protocol will be automatically filled in.
6. Click VIEW CONNECTED DEVICES and select your home PC. The Device IP Address will be automatically filled in. Or enter the PC’s IP address 192.168.0.100 manually in the Device IP Address field.
7. Click SAVE.
Tips:
- It is recommended to keep the default settings of Internal Port and Protocol if you are not clear about which port and protocol to use.
- If the service you want to use is not in the common services list, you can enter the corresponding parameters manually. You should verify the port number that the service needs.
- You can add multiple port forwarding rules if you want to provide several services in a router. Please note that the External Port should not be overlapped.
Done! Users on the internet can enter http:// WAN IP (in this example: http:// 218.18.232.154) to visit your personal website.
Tips:
- The WAN IP should be a public IP address. For the WAN IP is assigned dynamically by the ISP, it is recommended to apply and register a domain name for the WAN referring to Set Up a Dynamic DNS Service Account. Then users on the internet can use http:// domain name to visit the website.
- If you have changed the default External Port, you should use http:// WAN IP: External Port or http:// domain name: External Port to visit the website.
11.2 Open Ports Dynamically by Port Triggering
Port Triggering can specify a triggering port and its corresponding external ports. When a host on the local network initiates a connection to the triggering port, all the external ports will be opened for subsequent connections. The router can record the IP address of the host. When the data from the internet return to the external ports, the router can forward them to the corresponding host. Port Triggering is mainly applied to online games, VoIPs, video players and common applications including MSN Gaming Zone, Dialpad and Quick Time 4 players, etc.
Follow the steps below to configure the Port Triggering rules:
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > NAT Forwarding > Port Triggering and click +Add.
3. Click VIEW COMMON SERVICES, and select the desired application. The Triggering Port, Triggering Protocol and External Port will be automatically filled in. The following picture takes application MSN Gaming Zone as an example.
4. Click SAVE.
Tips:
- You can add multiple port triggering rules according to your network need.
- The triggering ports cannot be overlapped.
- If the application you need is not listed in the Existing Applications list, please enter the parameters manually. You should verify the external ports the application uses first and enter them into External Port field according to the format the page displays.
11.3 Make Applications Free from Port Restriction by DMZ
When a PC is set to be a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) host on the local network, it is totally exposed to the internet, which can realize the unlimited bidirectional communication between internal hosts and external hosts. The DMZ host becomes a virtual server with all ports opened. When you are not clear about which ports to open in some special applications, such as IP camera and database software, you can set the PC to be a DMZ host.
Note: When DMZ is enabled, the DMZ host is totally exposed to the internet, which may bring some potential safety hazards. If DMZ is not in use, please disable it in time.
I want to:
Make the home PC join the internet online game without port restriction.
For example, due to some port restriction, when playing the online games, you can log in normally but cannot join a team with other players. To solve this problem, set your PC as a DMZ host with all ports open.
How can I do that?
1. Assign a static IP address to your PC, for example 192.168.0.100.
2. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
3. Go to Advanced > NAT Forwarding > DMZ and tick to enable DMZ.
4. Click VIEW CONNECTED DEVICES and select your PC. The Device IP Address will be automatically filled in. Or enter the PC’s IP address 192.168.0.100 manually in the DMZ Host IP Address field.
5. Click SAVE.
Done! The configuration is completed. You’ve set your PC to a DMZ host and now you can make a team to game with other players.
11.4 Make Xbox Online Games Run Smoothly by UPnP
The UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) protocol allows applications or host devices to automatically find the front-end NAT device and send request to it to open the corresponding ports. With UPnP enabled, the applications or host devices on the local network and the internet can freely communicate with each other thus realizing the seamless connection of the network. You may need to enable the UPnP if you want to use applications for multiplayer gaming, peer-to-peer connections, real-time communication (such as VoIP or telephone conference) or remote assistance, etc.
Tips:
- UPnP is enabled by default in this router.
- Only the application supporting UPnP protocol can use this feature.
- UPnP feature needs the support of operating system (e.g. Windows Vista/ Windows 7/ Windows 8, etc. Some of operating system need to install the UPnP components).
For example, when you connect your Xbox to the router which has connected to the internet to play online games, UPnP will send request to the router to open the corresponding ports allowing the following data penetrating the NAT to transmit. Therefore, you can play Xbox online games without a hitch.
If necessary, you can follow the steps to change the status of UPnP.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > NAT Forwarding > UPnP and toggle on or off according to your needs.
12. VPN Server and Client
The router offers several ways to set up VPN connections:
VPN Server allows remote devices to access your home network in a secured way through the internet. The router supports three types of VPN Server:
OpenVPN is somewhat complex but with higher security and more stability, suitable for restricted environments such as campus network and company intranet.
PPTP VPN is easy to use with the built-in VPN software of computers and mobile devices, but it is vulnerable and may be blocked by some ISPs.
L2TP/IPSec VPN is more secure but slower than PPTP VPN, and may have trouble getting around firewalls.
WireGuard VPN is a secure, fast and modern VPN protocol. It is based on the UDP protocol and uses modern encryption algorithms to improve work efficiency.
VPN Client allows devices in your home network to access remote VPN servers, without the need to install VPN software on each device.
This chapter contains the following sections:
Use OpenVPN to Access Your Home Network
Use PPTP VPN to Access Your Home Network
Use L2TP/IPSec VPN to Access Your Home Network
Use WireGuard VPN to Access Your Home Network
Use VPN Client to Access a Remote VPN Server
12.1 Use OpenVPN to Access Your Home Network
OpenVPN Server is used to create an OpenVPN connection for remote devices to access your home network.
To use the VPN feature, you need to enable OpenVPN Server on your router, and install and run VPN client software on remote devices. Please follow the steps below to set up an OpenVPN connection.
Step 1.Set up OpenVPN Server on Your Router
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > VPN Server > OpenVPN, and tick the Enable box of OpenVPN.
Note:
- Before you enable VPN Server, we recommend you configure Dynamic DNS Service (recommended) or assign a static IP address for router’s WAN port and synchronize your System Time with internet.
- The first time you configure the OpenVPN Server, you may need to generate a certificate before you enable the VPN Server.
3. Select the Service Type (communication protocol) for OpenVPN Server: UDP, TCP.
4. Enter a VPN Service Port to which a VPN device connects, and the port number should be between 1024 and 65535.
5. In the VPN Subnet/Netmask fields, enter the range of IP addresses that can be leased to the device by the OpenVPN server.
6. Select your Client Access type. Select Home Network Only if you only want the remote device to access your home network; select Internet and Home Network if you also want the remote device to access internet through the VPN Server.
7. Click SAVE.
8. Scroll down to locate Certificate section and click GENERATE to get a new certificate.
Note: If you have already generated one, please skip this step, or click GENERATE to update the certificate.
9. Click EXPORT to save the OpenVPN configuration file which will be used by the remote device to access your router.
Step 2.Configure OpenVPN Connection on Your Remote Device
1. Visit http://openvpn.net/index.php/download/community-downloads.html to download the OpenVPN software, and install it on your device where you want to run the OpenVPN client utility.
Note: You need to install the OpenVPN client utility on each device that you plan to apply the VPN function to access your router. Mobile devices should download a third-party app from Google Play or Apple App Store.
2. After the installation, copy the file exported from your router to the OpenVPN client utility’s “config” folder (for example, C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config on Windows). The path depends on where the OpenVPN client utility is installed.
3. Run the OpenVPN client utility and connect it to OpenVPN Server.
12.2 Use PPTP VPN to Access Your Home Network
PPTP VPN Server is used to create a PPTP VPN connection for remote devices to access your home network.
To use the VPN feature, you need to set up PPTP VPN Server on your router, and configure the PPTP connection on remote devices. Please follow the steps below to set up a PPTP VPN connection.
Step 1.Set up PPTP VPN Server on Your Router
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > VPN Server > PPTP, and tick the Enable box of PPTP.
Note: Before you enable VPN Server, we recommend you configure Dynamic DNS Service (recommended) or assign a static IP address for router’s WAN port and synchronize your System Time with internet.
3. In the Client IP Address field, enter the range of IP addresses (up to 10) that can be leased to the devices by the PPTP VPN server.
4. Set the PPTP connection permission according to your needs.
- Select Allow Samba (Network Place) access to allow your VPN device to access your local Samba server.
- Select Allow NetBIOS passthrough to allow your VPN device to access your Samba server using NetBIOS name.
- Select Allow Unencrypted connections to allow unencrypted connections to your VPN server.
5. Click SAVE.
6. Configure the PPTP VPN connection account for the remote device. You can create up to 16 accounts.
1) Click 
to enter the Username and Password to authenticate devices to the PPTP VPN Server.
2) Click ADD to save the entry.
Step 2.Configure PPTP VPN Connection on Your Remote Device
The remote device can use the Windows built-in PPTP software or a third-party PPTP software to connect to PPTP Server. Here we use the Windows built-in PPTP software as an example.
1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Select Set up a new connection or network.
3. Select Connect to a workplace and click Next.
4. Select Use my Internet connection (VPN).
5. Enter the internet IP address of the router (for example: 218.18.1.73) in the Internet address field. Click Next.
6. Enter the User name and Password you have set for the PPTP VPN server on your router, and click Connect.
7. Click Connect Now when the VPN connection is ready to use.
12.3 Use L2TP/IPSec VPN to Access Your Home Network
L2TP/IPSec VPN Server is used to create a L2TP/IPSec VPN connection for remote devices to access your home network.
To use the VPN feature, you need to set up L2TP/IPSec VPN Server on your router, and configure the L2TP/IPSec connection on remote devices. Please follow the steps below to set up the L2TP/IPSec VPN connection.
Step 1.Set up L2TP/IPSec VPN Server on Your Router
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > VPN Server > L2TP/IPSec, and enable L2TP/IPSec.
Note:
- Firmware update may be required to support L2TP/IPSec VPN Server.
- Before you enable VPN Server, we recommend you configure Dynamic DNS Service (recommended) or assign a static IP address for router’s WAN port and synchronize your System Time with internet.
3. In the Client IP Address field, enter the range of IP addresses (up to 10) that can be leased to the devices by the L2TP/IPSec VPN server.
4. Create an IPSec Pre-Shared Key.
5. Click SAVE.
6. Configure the L2TP/IPSec VPN connection account for the remote device. You can create up to 16 accounts.
7. Click 
and enter the Username and Password to authenticate devices to the L2TP/IPSec VPN Server.
8. Click ADD to save this entry.
Step 2.Configure L2TP/IPSec VPN Connection on Your Remote Device
The remote device can use the Windows or Mac OS built-in L2TP/IPSec software or a third-party L2TP/IPSec software to connect to L2TP/IPSec Server. Here we use the Windows built-in L2TP/IPSec software as an example.
1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Select Set up a new connection or network.
3. Select Connect to a workplace and click Next.
4. Select Use my Internet connection (VPN).
5. Enter the internet IP address of the router (for example: 218.18.1.73) in the Internet address field, and select the checkbox Don’t connect now; just set it up so I can connect later. Click Next.
6. Enter the User name and Password you have set for the L2TP/IPSec VPN server on your router, and click Connect.
7. Click Close when the VPN connection is ready to use.
8. Go to Network and Sharing Center and click Change adapter settings.
9. Find the VPN connection you created, then double-click it.
10. Enter the User name and Password you have set for the L2TP/IPSec VPN server on your router, and click Properties.
11. Switch to the Security tab, select Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with IPsec (L2TP/ IPSec) and click Advanced settings.
12. Select Use preshared key for authentication and enter the IPSec Pre-Shared Key you have set for the L2TP/IPSec VPN server on your router. Then click OK.
Done! Click Connect to start VPN connection.
12.4 Use WireGuard VPN to Access Your Home Network
WireGuard VPN Server is used to create a Wire Guard VPN connection for remote devices to access your home network.
Step 1.Set up WireGuard VPN Server on Your Router
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > VPN Server > WireGuard, and tick the Enable box of WireGuard
3. Set the Tunnel IP Address and Listen Port. Do NOT change it unless necessary.
4. Select your Client Access type. Select Home Network Only if you only want the remote device to access your home network; select Internet and Home Network if you also want the remote device to access internet through the VPN Server.
5. (Optional) Click Advanced Settings to display more settings. If DNS is turned on, the router will become the DNS server of the VPN client that establishes a connection with it. Change the Persistent Keepalive time (25 seconds by default) to send out heartbeat regularly, you can also click RENEW KEY to update the private key and public key.
Step 2.Create accounts that can be used by remote clients to connect to the VPN server
1. Locate the Account List section. Click 
to create an account.
2.Give a name to this account.
3. Enter the address of the virtual interface assigned to this account. Do NOT change it unless necessary.
4. Traffic sent from the WireGard VPN client to the allowed IPs (client) will be transmitted through the tunnel. By default, all network traffic from clients will be transmitted through the tunnel. Do NOT change it unless necessary.
5. Traffic sent from the WireGard VPN server to the allowed IPs (server) will be transmitted through the tunnel. Do NOT change it unless necessary.
6. Enable or disable pre-shared key.
7. Click SAVE.
Note: One account can only be used by one WireGuard VPN client at the same time to connect to the WireGuard VPN server.
12.5 Use VPN Client to Access a Remote VPN Server
VPN Client is used to create VPN connections for devices in your home network to access a remote VPN server.
To use the VPN feature, simply configure a VPN connection and choose your desired devices on your router, then these devices can access the remote VPN server. Please follow the steps below:
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > VPN Client.
Note: Firmware update may be required to support VPN Client.
3. Enable VPN Client, then save the settings.
4. Add VPN servers, and enable the one you need.
1) In the Server List section, click .
2) Specify a description for the VPN, and choose the VPN type.
3) Enter the VPN information provided by your VPN provider.
- OpenVPN: Enter the VPN username and password if required by your VPN provider, otherwise simply leave them empty. Then import the configuration file provided by your VPN provider.
Note: You can also check the box of Import the CA file or edit the . ovpn file manually, then upload the CA file or manually configure the settings.
- PPTP: Enter the VPN server address (for example: 218.18.1.73) and the VPN username and password provided by your VPN provider.
- L2TP/IPSec VPN: Enter the VPN server address (for example: 218.18.1.73), VPN username and password, and IPSec pre-shared key provided by your VPN provider.
- WireGuard VPN: Give a description, and click BROWSE to import the WireGuard VPN server configuration. Then you will see the detailed parameters. Do NOT change the parameters unless necessary.
4) Save the settings.
5. Add and manage the devices that will use the VPN function.
1) In the Device List section, click 
.
2 ) Choose and add the devices that will access the VPN server you have configured.
6. Save the settings.
Done! Now the devices you specified can access the VPN server you enabled.
13. Customize Your Network Settings
This chapter guides you on how to configure advanced network features.
It contains the following sections:
Configure to Support IPTV Service
Set Up a Dynamic DNS Service Account
13.1 Change the Internet Settings
After setting up your internet, you can also easily change the internet settings if needed in the future.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > Internet.
To change the internet connection settings:
1. Select the internet connection type and configure the settings according to the information provided by your ISP.
2. Optional. Reveal the advanced settings and change the settings if needed. It’s recommended to keep the default settings.
3. Click Save.
To change the MAC address of the router:
You have three options, Use Default MAC Address, Clone Current Device MAC, Use Custom MAC Address.
To change the Internet Port Negotiation Speed Setting
You can change the internet port speed mode. Auto Negotiation is recommended.
To enable Flow Controller
With Flow Controller enabled, when a device gets overloaded it will send a PAUSE frame to notify the peer device to stop sending data for a specified period of time, thus avoiding the packet loss caused by congestion. Flow Controller is enabled by default.
13.2 Change the LAN Settings
The router is preset with a default LAN IP 192.168.0.1, which you can use to log in to its web management page. The LAN IP address together with the Subnet Mask also defines the subnet that the connected devices are on. If the IP address conflicts with another device on your local network or your network requires a specific IP subnet, you can change it.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > LAN.
3. Type in a new IP Address appropriate to your needs. And leave the Subnet Mask as the default settings.
4. Click Save.
Note: If you have set the Port Forwarding, DMZ or DHCP address reservation, and the new LAN IP address is not in the same subnet with the old one, then you should reconfigure these features.
13.3 Set Up Link Aggregation
The Link Aggregation feature combines two ports together to make a single highbandwidth data path, thus sustaining a higher-speed and more stable wired network.
Note: The availability of Link Aggregation varies depending on your router's model and firmware version.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > LAN, and locate the Link Aggregation section.
3. Enable Link Aggregation.
Note: To avoid LAN port conflicts, Link Aggregation and IPTV/VLAN cannot be enabled at the same time.
4. Select the Mode according to your need. It’s recommended that you select the same link aggregation mode for both ends of the link.
- Static LAG: The member ports are manually added to the LAG. It is recommended for a simple home network.
- LACP: The router uses LACP to implement dynamic link aggregation and disaggregation by exchanging LACP packets with its peer device. LACP extends the flexibility of the LAG configuration. It is recommended for a complex network.
5. Select the Ports that Link Aggregation will take effect, and click SAVE.
13.4 Flow Controller
With Flow Controller enabled, when a device gets overloaded it will send a PAUSE frame to notify the peer device to stop sending data for a specified period of time, thus avoiding the packet loss caused by congestion.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > LAN, and locate the Flow Controller section.
3. Flow Controller is enabled by default. Please note that enable Flow Controller may cause internet drop with some devices.
13.5 Configure to Support IPTV Service
I want to:
Configure IPTV setup to enable Internet/IPTV/Phone service provided by my internet service provider (ISP).
How can I do that?
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > IPTV/VLAN.
3. If your ISP provides the networking service based on IGMP technology, e.g., British Telecom(BT) and Talk Talk in UK:
1) Tick the IGMP Proxy and IGMP Snooping checkbox, then select the IGMP Version, either V2 or V3, as required by your ISP.
2) Check the Wireless Multicast Forwarding status. When enabled, the multicast packets will be forwarded automatically. You are recommended to keep it as default.
3) Click Save.
4) After configuring IGMP proxy, IPTV can work behind your router now. You can connect your set-top box to any of the router’s Ethernet port.
If IGMP is not the technology your ISP applies to provide IPTV service:
1) Tick Enable IPTV/VLAN.
2) Select the appropriate Mode according to your ISP.
- Select Bridge if your ISP is not listed and no other parameters are required.
- Select Custom if your ISP is not listed but provides necessary parameters.
3) After you have selected a mode, the necessary parameters, including the LAN port for IPTV connection, are predetermined. If not, select the LAN type to determine which port is used to support IPTV service.
4) Click Save.
5) Connect the set-top box to the corresponding LAN port which is predetermined or you have specified in Step 3.
Done! Your IPTV setup is done now! You may need to configure your set-top box before enjoying your TV.
13.6 Specify DHCP Server Settings
By default, the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Server is enabled and the router acts as a DHCP server; it dynamically assigns TCP/IP parameters to client devices from the IP Address Pool. You can change the settings of the DHCP Server if necessary, and you can reserve LAN IP addresses for specified client devices.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > DHCP Server.
To specify the IP address that the router assigns:
1. Tick the Enable checkbox.
2. Enter the starting and ending IP addresses in the IP Address Pool.
3. Enter other parameters if the ISP offers. The Default Gateway is automatically filled in and is the same as the LAN IP address of the router.
4. Click SAVE.
To reserve an IP address for a specified client device:
1. Click Add in the Address Reservation section.
2. Click VIEW CONNECTED DEVICES and select the you device you want to reserve an IP for. Then the MAC Address will be automatically filled in. Or enter the MAC address of the client device manually.
3. Enter the IP address to reserve for the client device.
4. Click SAVE.
13.7 Set Up a Dynamic DNS Service Account
Most ISPs assign a dynamic IP address to the router and you can use this IP address to access your router remotely. However, the IP address can change from time to time and you don’t know when it changes. In this case, you might apply the DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name Server) feature on the router to allow you and your friends to access your router and local servers (FTP, HTTP, etc.) using a domain name without checking and remembering the IP address.
Note: DDNS does not work if the ISP assigns a private WAN IP address (such as 192.168.1.x) to the router.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > Dynamic DNS.
3. Select the DDNS Service Provider: TP-Link, NO-IP or DynDNS. It is recommended to select TP-Link so that you can enjoy TP-Link’s superior DDNS service. Otherwise, please select NO-IP or DynDNS. If you don’t have a DDNS account, you have to register first by clicking Register Now.
Note: To enjoy TP-Link’s DDNS service, you have to log in with a TP-Link ID. If you have not logged in with one, click log in.
4. Click Register in the Domain Name List if you have selected TP-Link, and enter the Domain Name as needed. If you have selected NO-IP or DynDNS, enter the username, password and domain name of your account.
5. Click LOGIN AND Save.
Tips: If you want to use a new DDNS account, please click Logout first, and then log in with a new account.
13.8 Create Static Routes
Static routing is a form of routing that is configured manually by a network administrator or a user by adding entries into a routing table. The manually-configured routing information guides the router in forwarding data packets to the specific destination.
I want to:
Visit multiple networks and servers at the same time.
For example, in a small office, my PC can surf the internet through Router A, but I also want to visit my company’s network. Now I have a switch and Router B. I connect the devices as shown in the following figure so that the physical connection between my PC and my company’s server is established. To surf the internet and visit my company’s network at the same time, I need to configure the static routing.
How can I do that?
1. Change the routers’ LAN IP addresses to two different IP addresses on the same subnet. Disable Router B’s DHCP function.
2. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for Router A.
3. Go to Advanced > Network > Routing.
4. Click Add and finish the settings according to the following explanations:
- Network Destination: The destination IP address that you want to assign to a static route. This IP address cannot be on the same subnet with the WAN IP or LAN IP of Router A. In the example, the IP address of the company network is the destination IP address, so here enter 172.30.30.1.
- Subnet Mask: Determines the destination network with the destination IP address. If the destination is a single IP address, enter 255.255.255.255; otherwise, enter the subnet mask of the corresponding network IP. In the example, the destination network is a single IP, so here enter 255.255.255.255.
- Default Gateway: The IP address of the gateway device to which the data packets will be sent. This IP address must be on the same subnet with the router’s IP which sends out data. In the example, the data packets will be sent to the LAN port of Router B and then to the Server, so the default gateway should be 192.168.0.2.
- Interface: Determined by the port (WAN/LAN) that sends out data packets. In the example, the data are sent to the gateway through the LAN port of Router A, so LAN/WLAN should be selected.
- Description: Enter a description for this static routing entry.
5. Click Save.
6. Check the Routing Table below. If you can find the entry you’ve set, the static routing is set successfully.
Done! Open a web browser on your PC. Enter the company server’s IP address to visit the company network.
13.9 View Traffic Statistics
Traffic Monitor displays detailed reports to help you get a complete understanding of your network usage and commonly used apps and devices.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Traffic Monitor.
3. Enable Traffic Statistic. Then you can view the traffic history by Device or App.
14. Manage the Router
This chapter will show you the configuration for managing and maintaining your router.
It contains the following sections:
Backup and Restore Configuration Settings
Set the Router to Reboot Regularly
Configure Accessibility Settings
14.1 Update the Firmware
TP-Link aims at providing better network experience for users.
We will inform you through the web management page if there’s any new firmware available for your router. Also, the latest firmware will be released at the TP-Link official website www.tp-link.com, and you can download it from the Support page for free.
Note:
Back up your router’s configurations before firmware update.
Do NOT turn off the router during the firmware update.
14.1.1 Auto Update
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Firmware Update.
3. Enable Auto Update.
4. Specify the Update Time and save the settings.
Done! The router will update firmware automatically at the specified time when new version is available.
14.1.2 Online Update
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Firmware Update to check the current firmware version of your router.
3. Click CHECK FOR UPDATES to see whether the latest firmware is released. If it is, wait a few minutes for the update and reboot to complete.
Tips: If there’s a new and important firmware update for your router, you will see the prompt notification on your computer as long as a web browser is opened. Click to update, and log in to the web management page with the username and password you set for the router. You will see the Firmware Update page.
14.1.3 Local Update
1. Download the latest firmware file for the router from www.tp-link.com.
2. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
3. Go to Advanced > System > Firmware Update.
4. Locate the Local Update section. Click BROWSE to locate the downloaded new firmware file, and click UPDATE.
5. Wait a few minutes for the update and reboot to complete.
Note: If you fail to update the firmware for the router, please contact our Technical Support.
14.1.4 EasyMesh Satellite Update
EasyMesh Satellite Update allows you to remotely check and update the firmware of the satellite devices connected to this router via EasyMesh.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Firmware Update, and locate the EasyMesh Satellite Update section.
3. The router’s satellite devices will appear on the table. Click CHECK FOR UPDATES to see whether the latest firmware is released. If you want to update a satellite device, click 
on the right of the corresponding device.
Note: The update will take a few minutes and the satellite router will reboot.
14.2 Backup and Restore Configuration Settings
The configuration settings are stored as a configuration file in the router. You can backup the configuration file to your computer for future use and restore the router to a previous settings from the backup file when needed. Moreover, if necessary you can erase the current settings and reset the router to the default factory settings.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System Tools > Backup & Restore.
To backup configuration settings:
Click BACK UP to save a copy of the current settings to your local computer. A ‘.bin’ file of the current settings will be stored to your computer.
To restore configuration settings:
1. Click BROWSE to locate the backup configuration file stored on your computer, and click RESTORE.
2. Wait a few minutes for the restoring and rebooting.
Note: During the restoring process, do not turn off or reset the router.
To reset the router except your login password and TP-Link ID:
1. In the Factory Default Restore section, click RESTORE.
2. Wait a few minutes for the resetting and rebooting.
Note: During the resetting process, do not turn off the router.
3. After reset, you can still use the current login password or the TP-Link ID to log in to the web management page.
To reset the router to factory default settings:
1. Click FACTORY RESTORE to reset the router.
2. Wait a few minutes for the resetting and rebooting.
Note:
1. During the resetting process, do not turn off or reset the router.
2. We strongly recommend you backup the current configuration settings before resetting the router.
14.3 Change the Login Password
The account management feature allows you to change your login password of the web management page.
Note: If you are using a TP-Link ID to log in to the web management page, the account management feature will be disabled. To manage the TP-Link ID, go to Advanced > TP-Link ID.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Administration and focus on the Change Password section.
3. Enter the old password, then a new password twice (both case-sensitive). Click SAVE.
4. Use the new password for future logins.
14.4 Password Recovery
This feature allows you to recover the login password you set for you router in case you forget it.
Note: If you are using a TP-Link ID to log in to the web management page, the Password Recovery feature will be disabled. To manage the TP-Link ID, go to Advanced > TP-Link ID.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Administration and focus on the Password Recovery section.
3. Tick the Enable box of Password Recovery.
4. Specify a mailbox (From) for sending the recovery letter and enter its SMTP Server address. Specify a mailbox (To) for receiving the recovery letter. If the mailbox (From) to send the recovery letter requires encryption, Tick the Enable box of Authentication and enter its username and password.
Tips:
- SMTP server is available for users in most webmail systems. For example, the SMTP server address of Gmail is smtp.gmail.com.
- Generally, Authentication should be enabled if the login of the mailbox requires username and password.
5. Click SAVE.
6. To recover the login password, please visit http://tplinkwifi.net, click Forgot Password? on the login page and follow the instructions to set a new password.
14.5 Local Management
This feature allows you to limit the number of client devices on your LAN from accessing the router by using the MAC address-based authentication.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Administration and complete the settings In Local Management section as needed.
Access the router via HTTPS and HTTP:
Tick the Enable box of Local Management via HTTPS to access the router via HTTPS and HTTP, or keep it disabled to access the router only via HTTP.
Allow all LAN connected devices to manage the router:
Select All Devices for Local Managers.
Allow specific devices to manage the router:
1. Select Specific Devices for Local Managers and click 
.
2. Click VIEW CONNECTED DEVICES and select the device to manage the router from the Connected Devices list, or enter the MAC address of the device manually.
3. (Optional) Specify a Description for this entry.
4. Click SAVE.
14.6 Remote Management
This feature allows you to control remote devices’ authority to manage the router.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Administration and complete the settings in Remote Management section as needed.
Forbid all devices to manage the router remotely:
Do not tick the Enable checkbox of Remote Management.
Allow all devices to manage the router remotely:
1. Tick the Enable checkbox of Remote Management.
2. Keep the HTTPS port as default settings (recommended) or enter a value between 1024 and 65535.
3. Select All Devices for Specified Devices.
4. Click SAVE.
Devices on the internet can log in to https://Router’s WAN IP address:port number (such as https://113.116.60.229:1024) to manage the router.
Tips:
- You can find the WAN IP address of the router on Network Map > Internet.
- The router’s WAN IP is usually a dynamic IP. Please refer to Set Up a Dynamic DNS Service Account if you want to log in to the router through a domain name.
Allow a specific device to manage the router remotely:
1. Tick the Enable checkbox of Remote Management.
2. Keep the HTTPS and HTTP port as default settings (recommended) or enter a value between 1024 and 65535.
3. Select Specified Device for Remote Managers.
4. In the Only this IP Address field, enter the IP address of the remote device to manage the router.
5. Click SAVE.
Devices using this WAN IP can manage the router by logging in to http://Router’s WAN IP:port number (such as http://113.116.60.229:1024).
Tips: The router’s WAN IP is usually a dynamic IP. Please refer to Set Up a Dynamic DNS Service Account if you want to log in to the router through a domain name.
14.7 System Log
When the router does not work normally, you can save the system log and send it to the technical support for troubleshooting.
To save the system log locally:
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > System Log.
3. Choose the type and level of the system logs as needed.
4. In the Save Log section, click SAVE TO LOCAL to save the system logs to a local disk.
To send the system log to a mailbox at a fixed time:
For example, I want to check my router’s working status at a fixed time every day, however, it’s too troublesome to log in to the web management page every time I want to go checking. It would be great if the system logs could be sent to my mailbox at 8 a.m. every day.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System Tools > System Log.
3. In the Save Log section, click MAIL LOG.
4. Enter the information required:
- Email From: Enter the email address used for sending the system log.
- Select Require Password.
Tips: Generally, Require Password should be selected if the login of the mailbox requires username and password.
- Username: Enter the email address used for sending the system log.
- Email Password: Enter the password to login the sender’s email address.
- SMTP Server: Enter the SMTP server address.
Tips: SMTP server is available for users in most webmail systems. For example, the SMTP server address of Hotmail is smtp-mail.outlook.com.
- Email To: Enter the recipient’s email address, which can be the same as or different from the sender’s email address.
- Select Mail Log Automatically.
Tips: The router will send the system log to the designated email address if this option is enabled.
- Frequency: This determines how often the recipient will receive the system log .
5. Click SAVE.
14.8 Test the Network Connectivity
Diagnostics is used to test the connectivity between the router and the host or other network devices.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Diagnostics.
3. Enter the information:
1) Choose Ping or Traceroute as the diagnostic tool to test the connectivity;
- Ping is used to test the connectivity between the router and the tested host, and measure the round-trip time.
- Traceroute is used to display the route (path) your router has passed to reach the tested host, and measure transit delays of packets across an Internet Protocol network.
2) Enter the IP Address or Domain Name of the tested host.
3) Modify the Ping Count number and the Ping Packet Size. It’s recommended to keep the default value.
4) If you have chosen Traceroute, you can modify the Traceroute Max TTL. It’s recommended to keep the default value.
4. Click START to begin the diagnostics.
The figure below indicates the proper connection between the router and the Yahoo server (www.Yahoo.com) tested through Ping.
The figure below indicates the proper connection between the router and the Yahoo server (www.Yahoo.com) tested through Traceroute.
14.9 Set System Time
System time is the time displayed while the router is running. The system time you configure here will be used for other time-based functions like Parental Controls. You can choose the way to obtain the system time as needed.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Time Settings.
To get time from the internet:
1. Enable 24-Hour Time if you want the time to display in a 24-hour way.
2. In the Set Time field, select Get from Internet.
3. Select your local Time Zone from the drop-down list.
4. In the NTP Server I field, enter the IP address or domain name of your desired NTP Server.
5. (Optional) In the NTP Server II field, enter the IP address or domain name of the second NTP Server.
6. Click SAVE.
To get time from your computer:
1. In the Set Time field, select Get from Managing Device.
2. The time of your computer will then be displayed and click SAVE.
To manually set the date and time:
In the Set Time field, select Manually.
2. Set the current Date (In MM/DD/YYYY format).
3. Set the current Time (In HH/MM/SS format).
4. Click SAVE.
To set Daylight Saving Time:
1. Tick the Enable box of Daylight Saving Time.
2. Select the correct Start date and time when daylight saving time starts at your local time zone.
3. Select the correct End date and time when daylight saving time ends at your local time zone.
4. Click SAVE.
14.10 Set the Router to Reboot Regularly
The Scheduled Reboot feature cleans the cache to enhance the running performance of the router.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Reboot.
3. Tick the Enabled box of Reboot Schedule.
4. Specify the Reboot Time when the router reboots and Repeat to decide how often it reboots.
5. Click SAVE.
14.11 Control the LED
The LED of the router indicates its activities and status. You can enable the Night Mode feature to specify a time period during which the LED is off.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > LED Control.
3. Enable Night Mode.
4. Specify the LED off time, and the LED will be off during this period every day.
5. Click SAVE.
14.12 Change Power Mode
Eco Mode is a power-saving feature designed to reduce your router's energy consumption. By lowering the power output, ECO Mode can minimize energy use, which not only helps decrease your electricity bills but also contributes to environmental sustainability.
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > ECO Mode.
3.Select Power-Saving Mode or Ultra Power-Saving Mode as you need and set its effective time.
4. If you want to save more power, click on the hyperlinks in the Note below to customize LED Control and Power Schedule.
5. Click SAVE.
14.13 Configure Accessibility Settings
Our web management page include accessibility features like increasing page contrast and hiding animation. Give them a try and make it much easier to set up your device and adjust settings!
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > System > Accessibility.
- Increase Contrast: When enabled, the page will display content in high contrast between text and backgrounds for better readability.
- Hide Animation: When enabled, all animations on the site will be hidden, providing a quick and universal way to remove moving elements from the page.
FAQ
Q1. What should I do if I forget my wireless password?
The default wireless password is printed on the label of the router. If the password has been altered:
- Connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable.
- Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
- Go to Wireless to retrieve or reset your wireless password.
Q2. What should I do if I forget my web management password?
• If you are using a TP-Link ID to log in, or you have enabled the Password Recovery feature of the router, click Forgot password on the login page and then follow the instructions to reset it.
• Alternatively, press and hold the Reset button of the router until the Power LED blinks to restore factory default settings, and then visit http://tplinkwifi.net to create a new login password.
Note: You’ll need to reconfigure the router to surf the internet once the router is reset, and please mark down your new password for future use.
Q3. What should I do if I can’t log in to the router’s web management page?
This can happen for a variety of reasons. Please try the methods below to log in again.
• Make sure your computer is connected to the router correctly and the corresponding LED indicator(s) light up.
• Make sure the IP address of your computer is configured as Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.
• Make sure http://tplinkwifi.net or http://192.168.0.1 is correctly entered.
• Check your computer’s settings:
1) Go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet, and click View network status and tasks.
2) Click Internet Options on the bottom left.
3) Click Connections and select Never dial a connection.
4)Click LAN settings and deselect the following three options and click OK.
5) Go to Advanced > Restore advanced settings, click OK to save the settings.
• Use another web browser or computer to log in again.
• Reset the router to factory default settings and try again. If login still fails, please contact the technical support.
Note: You’ll need to reconfigure the router to surf the internet once the router is reset.
Q4. What should I do if I can’t access the internet even though the configuration is finished?
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced> Network > Status to check internet status:
If IP Address is a valid one, please try the methods below and try again:
• Your computer might not recognize any DNS server addresses. Please manually configure the DNS server.
1) Go to Advanced > Network > DHCP Server.
2) Enter 8.8.8.8 as Primary DNS, click SAVE.
Tips: 8.8.8.8 is a safe and public DNS server operated by Google.
• Restart the modem and the router.
1) Power off your modem and router, and leave them off for 1 minute.
2) Power on your modem first, and wait about 2 minutes until it gets a solid cable or Internet light.
3) Power on the router.
4) Wait another 1 or 2 minutes and check the internet access.
• Reset the router to factory default settings and reconfigure the router.
• Upgrade the firmware of the router.
• Check the TCP/IP settings on the particular device if all other devices can get internet from the router.
As the picture below shows, if the IP Address is 0.0.0.0, please try the methods below and try again:
• Make sure the physical connection between the router and the modem is proper.
• Clone the MAC address of your computer.
1) Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2) Go to Internet or Advanced > Network > Internet and focus on the MAC Clone section.
3) Choose an option as needed (enter the MAC address if Use Custom MAC Address is selected), and click SAVE.
Tips:
Some ISP will register the MAC address of your computer when you access the internet for the first time through their Cable modem, if you add a router into your network to share your internet connection, the ISP will not accept it as the MAC address is changed, so we need to clone your computer’s MAC address to the router.
The MAC addresses of a computer in wired connection and wireless connection are different.
• Modify the LAN IP address of the router.
Note:
Most TP-Link routers use 192.168.0.1/192.168.1.1 as their default LAN IP address, which may conflict with the IP range of your existing ADSL modem/router. If so, the router is not able to communicate with your modem and you can’t access the internet. To resolve this problem, we need to change the LAN IP address of the router to avoid such conflict, for example, 192.168.2.1.
1) Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
2) Go to Advanced > Network > LAN.
3) Modify the LAN IP address as the follow picture shows. Here we take 192.168.2.1 as an example.
4) Click SAVE.
• Restart the modem and the router.
1) Power off your modem and router, and leave them off for 1 minute.
2) Power on your modem first, and wait about 2 minutes until it get a solid cable or Internet light.
3) Power on the router.
4) Wait another 1 or 2 minutes and check the internet access.
• Double check the internet connection type.
1) Confirm your internet connection type, which can be learned from the ISP.
2) Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router.
3) Go to Advanced > Network > Internet.
4) Select your Internet Connection Type and fill in other parameters.
5) Click SAVE.
6) Restart the modem and the router again.
• Please upgrade the firmware of the router.
If you’ve tried every method above but still cannot access the internet, please contact the technical support.
Q5. What should I do if I can’t find my wireless network or I cannot connect the wireless network?
If you fail to find any wireless network, please follow the steps below:
• Make sure the wireless function of your device is enabled if you’re using a laptop with built-in wireless adapter. You can refer to the relevant document or contact the laptop manufacturer.
• Make sure the wireless adapter driver is installed successfully and the wireless adapter is enabled.
- On Windows 7
- If you see the message No connections are available, it is usually because the wireless function is disabled or blocked somehow.
- Click Troubleshoot and windows might be able to fix the problem by itself.
- On Windows XP
- If you see the message Windows cannot configure this wireless connection, this is usually because windows configuration utility is disabled or you are running another wireless configuration tool to connect the wireless.
- Exit the wireless configuration tool (the TP-Link Utility, for example).
- Select and right click on My Computer on desktop, select Manage to open Computer Management window.
- Expand Services and Applications > Services, find and locate Wireless Zero Configuration in the Services list on the right side.
- Right click Wireless Zero Configuration, and then select Properties.
- Change Startup type to Automatic, click on Start button and make sure the Service status is Started. And then click OK.
If you can find other wireless network except your own, please follow the steps below:
• Check the WLAN LED indicator on your wireless router/modem.
• Make sure your computer/device is still in the range of your router/modem. Move it closer if it is currently too far away.
• Go to Wireless or Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings, and check the wireless settings. Double check your wireless Network Name and SSID is not hided.
If you can find your wireless network but fail to connect, please follow the steps below:
• Authenticating problem/password mismatch:
1) Sometimes you will be asked to type in a PIN number when you connect to the wireless network for the first time. This PIN number is different from the Wireless Password/Network Security Key, usually you can only find it on the label of your router.
2) If you cannot find the PIN or PIN failed, you may choose Connecting using a security key instead, and then type in the Wireless Password/Network Security Key.
3) If it continues to show note of Network Security Key Mismatch, it is suggested to confirm the wireless password of your wireless router.
Note: Wireless Password/Network Security Key is case sensitive.
• Windows unable to connect to XXXX / Can not join this network / Taking longer than usual to connect to this network:
- Check the wireless signal strength of your network. If it is weak (1~3 bars), please move the router closer and try again.
- Change the wireless Channel of the router to 1, 6 or 11 to reduce interference from other networks.
- Re-install or update the driver for your wireless adapter of the computer.