TP-Link is one of the largest networking products manufacturer for home and office needs. The company is headquartered in China and supplies its products to almost all countries around the globe. Although their products are of good quality and serve a long way from their first start, technical glitches and defects appear which may be fixed by users themselves or may require expert opinion to figure out the problem and fix that.
A router is a device that forwards data packets between networks. Mostly, it is used to connect more than one computer or devices to the main network. Router supports both LAN and Wireless thus connection over line or Wireless (Wi-Fi) is possible. Modern routers are built to perform multiple tasks. You may use them to share your internet with multiple computers and mobile devices, share files over local network or use them to bridge and extend the range of your AP or Modem’s Wi-Fi.
TP-Link routers can be used to wireless the wired internet reaching your house or office. Multiple desktops, notebooks, mobile phones and tablets can share just one internet connection. But sometimes, users may face issues like no connection, limited connectivity or disconnection when everything seems like normal. We have observed that when people are using TP-Link routers for wireless bridging (WDS Bridge) or connection over LAN, strange ‘Limited Connection’ or ‘No Connection’ problem arises. Lets get into the depth and see why any such problem arises and how to fix it.
Causes and Fix:
1- Issue with ISP: Internet is disconnected from AP or Modem due to the problem with ISP. ‘No Connection’ or ‘Limited’ will appear whether you are connected directly or through TP-Link router. Wait to see if internet connectivity restores back on its own. If it does not restart the modem and try again. If problem continues, you may need to contact your ISP. If internet is working fine at AP/Modem’s end, you need to proceed and focus on the issues with router.
2- Loose connection or weak signals: If router is connected over LAN, make sure the cables are inserted properly and connections are not loose. If connected over Wireless WAN (Wi-Fi), make sure that router is kept at a location where it is receiving adequate signals. If it is itself not getting good signals, you won’t get internet connection out of it. Change the location of router and try again.
3- Bridging wrong configuration: If you are using router for bridging (extending Wi-Fi or repeating), make sure that you are using same password and channel as of your Modem or Access Point. Using different password and channel will result in no connectivity or limited connectivity problem. So, check WDS Bridge/Repeater settings and confirm that these two matches with Wi-Fi settings of Modem or Access Point. Having different SSID does not matter in this case.
4- DNS: Google Public DNS works great and may fix your connection problem. You can put this DNS IP address in router DHCP settings [DHCP > DHCP Settings > Primary DNS & Secondary DNS] or you can simply put this DNS address in your LAN (Ethernet) or Wi-Fi connection settings [Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings]. To change DNS for Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection, Open Ethernet / Local Area Connection / Wi-Fi > Properties > Networking > Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties > Use the following DNS server addresses. You may change DNS for Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) as well but your ISP may cause issue if it does not support IPv6.
Google Public DNS IP addresses are as following:
IPv4:
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
IPv6:
2001:4860:4860::8888
2001:4860:4860::8844
Change DNS server address (Click images to enlarge)
Note that if you change DNS server in your router DHCP settings, select “Obtain DNS server address automatically” in your Ethernet or Wi-Fi settings.
5- DHCP: If you are using TP-Link router as repeater, extender, WDS bridge (WDS stands for wireless range extension) or to connect multiple computers over LAN and you are facing this limited or no connectivity problem, there are greater chances that DHCP is causing IP conflict or it is failing to assign the IP address. This problem may arise due to a firmware glitch or incompatibility between connected devices. A possible fix for DHCP related problem is given below:
We have observed that disabling DHCP may fix the limited connectivity issue. To disable it, log in to the configuration panel (settings menu / management page) of your router by typing 192.168.0.1 in web browser. Once menu has opened, look for DHCP in sidebar. Open it and disable it. Restart the router to apply the settings. Before doing it make sure you have done all necessary settings from router’s configuration/settings menu as after disabling DHCP you won’t be able to access it unless you manually assign an IP address to the computer to match the default IP address of the router. The other easy way to access it again is by resetting the router (press reset button on router to reset it). You will lose all previously done settings and configurations. So do this at your own expense.
Disable DHCP (click image to enlarge)
If you have done everything you could possibly do and still the problem persists, there might be some hardware related problem with your device. In that case, you should contact TP-Link support for further assistance.
Ankur
Hi,
I am facing problem with my router as I am able to connect through the router but its route is unable to connect to the WAN network while if I plugged LAN cable directly then its working. I already rebooted it and apply restore factory setting but its not working.
Mike J. Evans
Hi I have bought TP -Link to boost the signal to my Samsung smart tv. it is working in conjunction with the main rooter positioned some distance away. The bottom last triangle is showing red and all the others blue, Can you assist in defining the fault and what it is and how I fix it,
Thank you
Jesse
I have a tp-link 1350 for wifi in my two story house. It works very well downstairs on my giant screen tv and on cell phones and tablets. It works on the upstairs tv sometimes, but a lot of times I have to re enter the passcode in order to get connectivity on the upstairs tv for the smart features on the tv. For the last two weeks I have been unable to access the smart features on the tv, i.e. (youtube, Netflix, etc…) How can Iresolve this issue?
Talal A.
Use Wi-Fi range extender on upper floor.
Eris
The connection has limited or no connnectivity
Please make sure router’s DHCP server is enabled. I Tried with my cd Tp LInk to repair this but I can’t it always shows like that I restarted two times but nothing,what to do please help me
Krishna Kunal
I am using TD-W8960N, facing problem to access specific sites like onlinesbi.com. This site is unreachable by using the Tplink TD-W8960N. But changing the modem it can be accessed. You are requested to fix the problem.
Talal A.
It’s the problem with this site. I can’t access it either with Huawei modem.
Елена
After months of problems with limited WiFi and general connectivity problems on Windows 8.1 I finally managed to get it to work properly. Hey man! I think you just helped to fix my laptop ?? I was about to re-install Windows, saved me a lot of tension thanks
Gordon
I have a TP link in the house connected to my Sky router in a bedroom, two smart TV’s connected work fine. PC is in my study at the top of the garden (connected to house ring main). For the past two years the study connection has worked fine, but now does not connect – well it does but for only about 10 seconds when all three lights are illuminated. Last speed test suggested 14meg download speed – any suggestions as I have tried re pairing, new TP units but to know avail?
Talal A.
Is it connected over LAN or Wifi?
Check your PC.
Check antivirus firewall. Sometimes, it start blocking connections
Reset router and see if problem resolves
Kevin
Hello.
I added a TP Link router to my existing D-link router so i could have WIFI. Created seperate DHCP pools for both routers, as i needed the TP Link to provide IP addresses for wireless clients. Wireless connection to the TP Link on my laptop worked fine then it showed “limited connection”. Unplugged the TP Link WAN cable, re-plugged it and my wifi internet was back. 5 minutes later, “limited connection”. Same thing with ethernet connection to TP Link. But the 1st router works perfectly. Reset, rebooted… no improvement. And its unbelievably tiresome plugging n unplugging the cable to keep the wifi.
Talal A.
Update its firmware and see if problem resolves.
Muhammad imran
Hi….i have an issue with tplink router….My internet works after 3pm but not working from 12 am to 3pm….only starts work after 3pm ….i have given its connection to 8 smart phones…. modem signal quality is Good …but i dont know why its not work at morning time
Talal A.
contact your ISP.
Shakir
The internet does not connect first time when the router restarts. But after 4-5 time manual unplug and restart it connects, I am very tired and worried about this manual process, please share any suggestion for this issue.
Talal A.
Share info about your router.
Daniel Malan
Hi there. I have an issue with a TP Link MR200 4G WLAN Modem Router. I have about 6 to 7 devices connecting to it, 2 via LAN (those are fine) and then the remainder, 2 laptops and then up to 3 smart phones (mixed brand/age) via WLAN.
My issue is that on WLAN connection on the laptops it gives me limited connection / no internet access and on the smartphones it gives me invalid IP config / cannot obtain IP address errors. If i run the devices on WLAN with Static IP address they all connect fine with no issues but if I set to use automatic detection (so i can use the devices on other networks with different IP’s etc) they do not connect or give errors. What could be the cause of this and how can I solve it.
P.S. – I have already reset the router to default settings as well as done cmd prompt / netsh reset’s etc, on devices to try and get everything to fail safe default settings. Thank you in advance.
Talal A.
Look for a firmware upgrade on TP-Link website. If available, upgrade that and see if problem resolves.
See this link: http://www.tp-link.com/sa/download/Archer-MR200.html#Firmware
Daniel Malan
I did a firmware update and whilst doing it i noticed the DHCP settings on the router were incorrect. Fixed them according to the user manual and now all is working fine. Thank you for the help.
Razaaq Baruwa
I just added a new switch in to my network and i started having issue with the added PC. I reset my main router for Synchronization but now i am having issue with cp in my network. and i notice that system light is no longer solid green but flashing green.
Note: all my connection is via Ethernet connection, no wireless connection…
Please advise…
guruvendra gautam
my wifi signals are disappearing automatically and coming back withing in 30 second. this is going on and on…
what is this problem and how to stop it?
Talal A.
restart router, modem or whatever device you have and see if problem resolves.
Abhay
I have TL -WR740N wireless router (with DHCP enabled). I am using it to connect my mobile phones as well as laptops.
Suddenly one day, all the mobile phones were giving “IP configuration fail” error, but all the laptops were working fine.
Googling, I gave static IPs to all my mobiles, but the laptop has still dynamic IP.
Why is the router behaving in such a way? What could be the cause? Any solution?
shashi
TP-LINK model no. : TL-WR740N purchased a year back .
I have a problem router is working but iam not getting wifi signals.As i can’t see the light at the wifi symbol on the router
can u please fix the solution?
Talal A.
Make sure you have turned on WiFi from control panel of router.
Simon
Just FYI, disabling DHCP will NOT make the router inaccessable, it just means you will need you set your own IP adress. If you can’t be bothered Googling how to do that:
Find a way to change the settings on your internet adapters
Change ‘properties’ of ‘IPv4’ protocol in the adaptor settings
Change from ‘Obtain IP address automatically’ to ‘Use following’
Insert desired IP address.
NOTE: make sure to put IP address in format ‘192.168.x.y’ where x is the *SAME* in the IP of the network devices you are trying to connect to and y is *DIFFERENT* in *ANY* other IP address of *ANY* other devices connected to the network.
Talal A.
In case of old TP-Link routers, the configuration menu stops working if DHCP is disabled.
(Edit: probably a glitch in firmware because manually assigning IP did not work when I tested it on an old router tl-wr740n)
Julian
The menu doesn’t ‘stop’ working — even in the older routers. What would be the sense of even providing such a feature?! Because you turned off the DHCP function you now have a Static interface, which means you have to manually assign IP addresses to your computer network interface, or whatever device you’re using, in order to connect to your router. For Windows 10 (older versions are similar): Open the ‘Start Menu,’ right-click on ‘Network, and select Properties.’ The Network and Sharing Center opens…click on ‘Manage Network connections.’ Right-click on the network adapter you want to assign an IP address (if your connecting via WIFI look for one named ‘Wi-Fi’ if you’re connecting via a wired connection it’ll be named ‘Ethernet’ (p.s. if you’ve created more than one adapter they will be incrementally number so the the next adapter will be number ‘Wi-Fi 2’ or ‘Ethernet 2′) and click Properties. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) then click the Properties button. Set appropriate IP address (i.e. most routers set the default gateway to either 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 address within the range set on router), mask = 255.255.255.0 (if you’ve set it to something else you shouldn’t need this help) and DNS address (primary – 8.8.8.8, secondary – 8.8.4.4 ….which accesses Googles DNS usually works great).
Linux: Type: ifconfig into the terminal and hit Enter, take note of the name of the interface that you want to change the settings for: default is: eth0. Type:
sudo ifconfig eth0 192.168.0.22 netmask 255.255.255.0
(I’m assuming you only have one adapter (eth0) config’d. The IP address can be any number within the range you’ve set on your router (this is the last set of numbers. I.e. in the above example it’s ’22’) The router default is usually between 2 – 100) Then change the default gateway with this command:
sudo route add default gw 192.168.0.1 eth0
You can check to see that everything’s been changed with the ‘ifconfig’ command or the ‘route -n’ command.
For Mac computers:
1- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Network.
2 – Select the network port configuration for your account (such as Ethernet) in the list at the left.
3 – Click Configure, then choose Manually from the pop-up menu. If you choose Manually, enter the address in the IP Address field (same address structure listed above). Use the same Netmask, default gateway, and DNS setting listed above.
Rich
Thanks Julian!!
I was always bothered that I couldn’t connect to my router after disabling DHCP. Now I can! I had some trouble since I couldn’t find “Manage Network Connections” but, after hunting around a bit (and clicking the WiFi connection) and following your instructions carefully, I finally got it to work.
Stew Roche
Purchased a TL MR6400 for use with a Telstra data sim, this router is very slow to the point of useless, a better reception is gained through my iPhone with hotspot on. I’ll be sending it back for a refund.
RMAU
This happened to me after a bit of rain or something, the internet went down.. but after a few days this computer still had a limited connection unlike the others. I tried following these steps, but I couldn t fix the problem. Now I ve done a system refresh and that fixed it, but much has to be updated and reinstalled.. which I m ok with, since I don t have all that much on this computer.
Talal A.
Admin’s Note: Updated the article. Originally posted on Dec 08, 2015.