I despair of TP-Link! (Not any more)

Technology
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I am using a TP-Link Archer router as a “slave” down in the cottage to our livebox here in the house.

We’ve had to install a new livebox in the house this morning and it’s working fine but I need to reprogram the router so that it can find the new livebox settings.

I cannot get onto TP-Link’s website to do this. All the time I’m being timed out by google. So I tried Bing (which I hate!) same problem. All sorts of useful info about what to do, what not to do, videos etc, but the admin page doesn’t load. I’ve wasted the last hour because their software is crap!

So I want a new router for the cottage that I can walk into any tech store and pick up off the shelf. All it has to do is act as a slave to our fibre connection in the house and give wifi to the cottage for our guests plus talk to the smart TV via a home network.

Any suggestions please?

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Can you type in the routers IP address and configure it via your computer?

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That’s what I’m doing. The router’s address times out.

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Step 1: Connect Your Device to the TP-Link Router

Before you can access the router’s web management page, your device must be connected to the router. The management page does not require an Internet connection, but it does require a connection to the router itself.

Option A: Wired connection

Connect your computer to one of the router’s LAN ports using an Ethernet cable. A wired connection is recommended when changing wireless settings or performing firmware updates.

Option B: Wireless connection

Connect your device to the router’s Wi-Fi network. If this is your first time setting up the router, use the default Wi-Fi name and password printed on the router’s label.

Step 2: Access the Router Login Page in Your Browser

Open Chrome, Firefox, or Edge — these browsers work best with the TP-Link web management page. Older browsers may cause login failures or missing features.

In the address bar at the top of your browser window, type one of the following and press Enter:

Note: Type the address directly into the address bar (not the search bar). Using a search engine will not take you to the login page.

Hint .. a lot of these devices including the router will have a RESET button ..often recessed and pressing that and waiting a few seconds can disable whatever protection or passwords it has

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Bad temper edited out. So apologies for my irritation.

I am asking for suggestions for another brand of router

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Before we had our Orange router, we had linksys and always found that a success. Anyone else any suggestions for Sue please?

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I doubt any other brand will be any better … Can you use an ethernet cable between the live box and the laptop and then the router and the laptop … . And yes I can share your frustration.. I spent a number of hours trying to get SFR etc Moi working while in France ..
What I cannot understand is why Google is in the mix.

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Bad temper edited out

I use Chrome

That’s why. :roll_eyes:

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I have given you the text from the TP website ..note the point about not using the search bar when putting in the IP address . And yes I have been trapped in the same loop before ..I am Bowing out

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Thank you. Bad temper edited out

.

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This makes me sad. I was considering switching up my unifi setup for some TP Link as I’ve heard some good things, but maybe this is a warning!

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Sue, remind me how the two are connected?

Also - have you connected your computer to the new Livebox, if so have a look in the net work settings and let me know what IP address it picked up

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Apologies everyone and especially @Dan1, for my grumpiness. I’ve been panicking unnecessarily.

Yet again ChatGPT has rescued me. Told me NOT to link the router for the moment to the livebox but just to work with the router and my laptop. Router turned off then on again. http://192.168.0.1 typed in the Chrome browser on my laptop and this time, straight in, no timing out. New admin password required - from now onwards, I’m flying!

No need to buy a different router. I’ll work with CHATGPT

I’m optimistic I will have a happy guest in the cottage this evening with wifi working.

No, don’t lose heart! But do use CHATgpt to guide you if you need it - though I suspect you know exactly what you are doing. :slight_smile:

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14

Open a bottle pour a glass and take a break :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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We have all been there…

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16

Have you tried TP-Links Tether app? I find that far less painful than logging into anything but a brand new TP-Link product.

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Open a bottle and drink it ! All of it ! Then you’ll have nothing to worry about (except a headache the next morning) :rofl:

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TP-Links are solid they were all I used in the US.

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19

I understand your annoyance. I’ve had a lot of TP-Link gear and always found it excellent. I bought one of their 5G routers a few weeks ago and went for a Deco X50 rather than their standard stuff because I already had a couple Deco X50 range extenders installed. Instead of just letting you direct attach an ethernet cable and configure the thing you had so go through the “easy setup” on the Deco app. A completely illogical, waste of time, pain in the arse for anybody that actually knows what they are doing.

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What I’m about to write didn’t necessarily apply to your situation, but my TP routers have an annoying habit, when interrupted, e.g. power cut, of rebooting to a broadcast Class E address which has nothing to do with the usual 192.16.0.x C-class IP address that it’s supposed to start with. I’ve seen this with my Archer router in Ireland, and a previous TP-Link router I had extending the Livebox.