Setting up TL-WPA281 homeplugs?

sprite1275 · 8 Jul 2014 at 12:44

Got these today and im trying to set the wireless up so it extends my current wireless. Only thing is i think ive F'ed up my existing wireless.

My router D-Link DSL2740R http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/wireless-routers/278572/d-link-dsl-2740r
IP talktalk

Couldnt get the homplug to work wireless, i could see it on my phone but it needed a separate password. I want it so our phones just connect to the router or homeplug seamlessly.

Anyway i went into my routers settings and there is a ADD WIRELESS DEVICE WITH WPS WIZARD option which i used. It told me to press the wifi paring button on the device and then click connect which i did.

Now i have no wireless and it has been replaced by "dlinkb7ff"

Can anyone help me sort this out :confused:

LordBarrass · 8 Jul 2014 at 13:17

Hi Sprite1275.

Did you not use the software with the TP-link powerline devices to access the access point and set it up to extend your D-Link routers Wifi. This could have caused things to change. Can you still access your d-link router via a wired connection and go back in and change the Wifi settings back to the original for the moment.

sprite1275 · 8 Jul 2014 at 13:43

abarrass said:
Hi Sprite1275.

Did you not use the software with the TP-link powerline devices to access the access point and set it up to extend your D-Link routers Wifi. This could have caused things to change. Can you still access your d-link router via a wired connection and go back in and change the Wifi settings back to the original for the moment.

I've managed to change the ssid and password back to talk talks settings ( the router is a talktalk router) I just typed in the name and password that was on the sticker on the router.
So now that's back to normal I tried the The wps button on the router again and it now flashes (it didn't before so whatever I did must have activated it) So I tried pairing the homeplug which it does acknowledge with a long flash of the wifi light but my phone doesn't seem to connect to it still.

bremen1874 · 8 Jul 2014 at 14:37

What have you actually bought?

You should have the TL-WPA281 plus another standard Powerline adapter. The standard adapter connects to the router with a cable. The wireless adapter then connects to the standard adapter over the mains.

You plug it all together and then connect to the TL-WPA281's configuration page (or use a software utility if there is one). You can configure the TL-WPA281 from there.

It does sound like you're trying to use it as a wireless extender, which despite its name the TL-WPA281 isn't (AFAIK). It's actually a wireless access point. The WPS buttons will the there to connect client devices.

There's some guesswork involved here because I can't access TP-Links website at the moment.

sprite1275 · 8 Jul 2014 at 15:27

bremen1874 said:
What have you actually bought?

You should have the TL-WPA281 plus another standard Powerline adapter. The standard adapter connects to the router with a cable. The wireless adapter then connects to the standard adapter over the mains.

You plug it all together and then connect to the TL-WPA281's configuration page (or use a software utility if there is one). You can configure the TL-WPA281 from there.

It does sound like you're trying to use it as a wireless extender, which despite its name the TL-WPA281 isn't (AFAIK). It's actually a wireless access point. The WPS buttons will the there to connect client devices.

There's some guesswork involved here because I can't access TP-Links website at the moment.

Sorry should have said its the KIT, so both the Adapter and extender.
I was hoping I could put the extender upstairs and when I go upstairs with my phone it would auto connect from the router downstairs to the extender with better signal upstairs.

bremen1874 · 8 Jul 2014 at 15:31

You may struggle getting the phone to automatically swap. Unfortunately most devices hang onto the signal they have for as long as possible, even when there's a better signal available.

sprite1275 · 9 Jul 2014 at 06:37

bremen1874 said:
You may struggle getting the phone to automatically swap. Unfortunately most devices hang onto the signal they have for as long as possible, even when there's a better signal available.

Bummer, I have found an app though which I think will connect to the stronger signal (WiFi manager)

Using the software with the extender I have changed the ssid to the same as the router but just can't find the option to change the password.