Problems with TP-Link TD-W8980 in router mode!

TwinCalliber · 7 Mar 2015 at 14:43

Hey All,

Recently upgraded our TalkTalk internet to fibre, all is well with that. However, before I upgraded, I was using the TP-Link router to access the internet. I purchased this router because it had the ability to be changed into a normal router. I have now moved the router into my room, as I replaced it with the Super Router TalkTalk sent us, and I can't get it to work in Wireless router operating mode. I use powerlines from the main router to the TP-Link one in my room, but it just isn't working, the router doesn't seem to be getting assigned an IP, I have spent hours trying to get it working, but nothing does!

Appreciate any help with this!

bremen1874 · 7 Mar 2015 at 14:56

Remove the Powerline adapters from the equation.

Get it working using a wired connection first.

TwinCalliber · 7 Mar 2015 at 15:13

bremen1874 said:
Remove the Powerline adapters from the equation.

Get it working using a wired connection first.

Thanks for the reply. Just tried that, so I took it down to the cellar where we keep our main router and plugged an Ethernet cable from the main router into the WAN port on the TP-Link, and it works! great speeds aswell. Why is the powerline not working then?

bremen1874 · 7 Mar 2015 at 15:55

Have they ever worked?

They may just need resyncing, but they could be faulty, or it could be your wiring they don't like.

Start with both adapters down by your main router, preferably together in a double socket. Get them working and then try again in the desired location.

The best and most reliable option is to use a cable instead of the Powerline adapters, but that's obviously not always possible.

TwinCalliber · 7 Mar 2015 at 16:05

bremen1874 said:
Have they ever worked?

They may just need resyncing, but they could be faulty, or it could be your wiring they don't like.

Start with both adapters down by your main router, preferably together in a double socket. Get them working and then try again in the desired location.

The best and most reliable option is to use a cable instead of the Powerline adapters, but that's obviously not always possible.

No they work fine, I am using it on my PC at the mo, just not through the router. My setup before upgrading was a powerline from my main router to my bedroom, which is 3 floors, then from the powerline to a router, router to PC.

The router doesn't seem to take the connection from the powerline, but my PC does with no problems!

bremen1874 · 7 Mar 2015 at 16:14

What do the indicator LEDs on the adapters tell you? Any chance they're going into power saving mode?

If you haven't already done so it's worth checking that the firmware is up to date.

TwinCalliber · 7 Mar 2015 at 16:21

bremen1874 said:
What do the indicator LEDs on the adapters tell you? Any chance they're going into power saving mode?

If you haven't already done so it's worth checking that the firmware is up to date.

They are all on, like normal. I have the AV500 TL-PA411 plugs, they turn off completely if they dont detect an input, so I dont think thats the problem. I will check the firmware though of them to make sure.

It seems like its something todo with the router :/.....

TwinCalliber · 7 Mar 2015 at 17:52

bremen1874 said:
What do the indicator LEDs on the adapters tell you? Any chance they're going into power saving mode?

If you haven't already done so it's worth checking that the firmware is up to date.

Just checked and they are running the latest firmware version. I also just tried plugging the TP-link into the main router again and it didnt work, so I am not sure whats going on there!

bremen1874 · 7 Mar 2015 at 18:07

It sounds like you're wanting to use the TP-Link as an access point. If it hasn't got a built-in AP mode you'll need to configure it manually (many guides if you Google 'router as access point'). You'll then connect LAN-to-LAN and WAN ports won't be involved.

If you do want to run it as a router (separate subnets) then make sure they aren't both using the same default subnet. E.g. they can't both use 192.168.1.x.

TwinCalliber · 7 Mar 2015 at 18:11

bremen1874 said:
It sounds like you're wanting to use the TP-Link as an access point. If it hasn't got a built-in AP mode you'll need to configure it manually (many guides if you Google 'router as access point'). You'll then connect LAN-to-LAN and WAN ports won't be involved.

If you do want to run it as a router (separate subnets) then make sure they aren't both using the same default subnet. E.g. they can't both use 192.168.1.x.

I can change the operation mode from ADSL modem to Wireless router mode like I was saying above, is this not the same? Ill try out a guide on google

TwinCalliber · 7 Mar 2015 at 18:51

bremen1874 said:
It sounds like you're wanting to use the TP-Link as an access point. If it hasn't got a built-in AP mode you'll need to configure it manually (many guides if you Google 'router as access point'). You'll then connect LAN-to-LAN and WAN ports won't be involved.

If you do want to run it as a router (separate subnets) then make sure they aren't both using the same default subnet. E.g. they can't both use 192.168.1.x.

ahhh finally got it working! Thanks for all the help bremen! I think I was making the mistake of using the WAN port :/ Thanks again though, glad I finally got it all working!