This chapter contains the following sections:

• Position Your Router

• Connect Your Router

Position Your Router

• The product should not be located in a place where it will be exposed to moisture or excessive heat.

• Place the router in a location where it can be connected to multiple devices as well as to a power source.

• Make sure the cables and power cord are safely placed out of the way so they do not create a tripping hazard.

• The router can be placed on a shelf or desktop.

• Keep the router away from devices with strong electromagnetic reference, such as Bluetooth devices, cordless phones and microwaves.

Connect Your Router

Follow the steps below to connect your router.

If your internet comes from an Ethernet outlet, connect the router’s Internet port to it, and then follow Step 4 and Step 5 to complete the hardware connection.

1. Unplug your modem, and remove the backup battery if it has one.

2. Connect the power-off modem to your router’s Internet port with an Ethernet cable.

3. Power on the modem, and then wait about 2 minutes for it to restart.

4. Connect the power adapter to the router and turn on the router.

5. Verify that the following LEDs are on and solid to confirm the hardware is connected correctly.

   

   📘

   Note: If the 2.4G LED and 5G LED are off, press and hold the WPS/Wi-Fi button on the back for more than 2 seconds. Both the LEDs should turn solid on.

6. Connect your computer to the router.

   Method 1: Wired

   Turn off the Wi-Fi on your computer and connect the devices as shown below.

   

   Method 2: Wirelessly

   1. Find the SSID (Network Name) 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.

      

   Method 3: Use the WPS button

   Wireless devices that support WPS, including Android phones, tablets, and most USB network cards, can be connected to your router through this method.

   📘

   • WPS is not supported by iOS devices.

   • The WPS function cannot be configured if the wireless function of the router is disabled. Also, the WPS function will be disabled if your wireless encryption is WEP. Please make sure the wireless function is enabled and is configured with the appropriate encryption before configuring the WPS.

   1. Tab the WPS icon on the device’s screen. Here we take an Android phone for instance.

   2. Within two minutes, press the Reset/WPS button on your router.

      

Log In to Your Router

With a web-based utility, it is easy to configure and manage the router. The web-based utility can be used on any Windows, Mac OS or UNIX OS with a Web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Apple Safari.

Follow the steps below to log in to your router.

1. Set up the TCP/IP Protocol in Obtain an IP address automatically mode on your computer.

2. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and create a login password for secure management purposes. Then click Let’s Get Started to log in.

   

   📘

   Note: If the login window does not appear, please refer to the FAQ Section.