Introducing the setup of the TP-Link wireless router. The demonstration is based on a brand new router. If you are unsure whether the router has been configured previously, it is recommended to reset the TP-Link wireless router.
The correct method to reset the TP-Link wireless router: While the router is powered on, press and hold the button labeled QSS/RESET on the back panel for more than 5 seconds. While holding the button, observe the SYS light. When the SYS light changes from slow blinking to fast blinking, it indicates that the router has successfully restored factory settings. At this point, release the button, and the router will restart.
1. Hardware Connection
1. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the computer directly to the router’s LAN port. You can also connect the router’s LAN port to a hub or switch in the local area network using an Ethernet cable, as shown in the figure below.
2. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the router’s WAN port to the xDSL/Cable Modem or Ethernet, as shown in the figure below.
3. Connect the power supply, and the router will start automatically.
2. Establishing a Correct Network Connection
1. Setting the Computer’s IP Address
Right-click the “Network Neighborhood” icon on the desktop, select Properties, and in the opened “Network Connections” page, right-click “Local Area Connection” and select Properties. In the opened “Local Area Connection Properties” page, select “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)” and click Properties. In the “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties” page, select “Obtain an IP address automatically” and click OK. For detailed setup steps, refer to: Fast Wireless Router Setup
2. Use the Ping command to test connectivity with the router
In Windows XP, click Start – Run, and in the Run window that appears, type “cmd” and press Enter or click OK to enter the interface shown below.
Input the command: Ping 192.168.1.1, and press Enter.
If the screen shows:
The computer has successfully connected to the router.
If the screen shows:
This indicates that the device has not been installed correctly. Please check in the following order:
1. Is the hardware connection correct?
The Link/Act indicator corresponding to the local area network port on the router panel and the network card indicator on the computer must be lit.
2. Is the computer’s TCP/IP setting correct?
If the computer’s IP address is set to obtain automatically as mentioned earlier, no settings are needed. If manually setting the IP, please note that if the router’s IP address is 192.168.1.1, then the computer’s IP address must be 192.168.1.X (X is any integer between 2 and 254), the subnet mask must be set to 255.255.255.0, and the default gateway must be set to 192.168.1.1.
3. Quick Setup of TP-Link Wireless Router
Open a web browser and enter the router’s IP address: 192.168.1.1 in the address bar. You will see the login interface shown below. Enter the username and password (the factory default values for both username and password are admin) and click the OK button.
The browser will pop up the setup wizard page shown below. If this page does not pop up automatically, you can click the setup wizard menu on the left side of the page to activate it.
Click Next to enter the Internet connection type selection page shown below. Here, select according to our internet connection type; generally, home broadband users are PPPoE dial-up users. We select the first option to let the router choose automatically.
After completing the setup, click Next, and you will see the basic wireless network parameter settings page shown below.
Wireless Status: Enable or disable the router’s wireless function
SSID: Set any string to identify the wireless network
Channel: Set the wireless signal frequency band of the router; it is recommended to choose automatic
Mode: Set the wireless working mode of the router; it is recommended to use 11bgn mixed mode
Bandwidth: Set the channel width used for wireless data transmission; options include: 20M, 40M, and automatic
Maximum Transmission Rate: Set the maximum transmission rate of the router’s wireless network
Disable Wireless Security: Disable wireless security, meaning no encryption on the router’s wireless network, allowing others to join the wireless network.
WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK: The encryption method for the router’s wireless network. If this option is selected, please enter a password in the PSK password field, with a requirement of 8-63 ASCII characters or 8-64 hexadecimal characters.
Do Not Modify Wireless Security Settings: If this option is selected, the wireless security options will retain the parameters set previously. If wireless security settings have never been changed, selecting this option will keep the factory default settings of disabling wireless security.
After completing the setup, click Next; a completion interface for the setup wizard will pop up, click Restart to make the wireless settings effective.
After restarting, the basic settings of our TP-Link wireless router will be complete.