unstable powerline connection

mdaw

mdaw

mdaw

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Joined
18 Apr 2013
Posts
601
Hi all,

I have been having problems for quite some time with my internet connection on my desktop.

I currently connect to the internet through tp-link av500 mini powerline adaptors model number: ta-pl411. I bought these a few years ago now but I have never had a very stable connection. Considering this is the closest thing to being hard wired I have found this very frustrating. Its great when it's working but seems to lose the ip address or just lose the connection from my router. I'm on Windows 8.1 so when I lose the connection I just click the icon and resolve issues I think and it will reset the adaptors but this only occasionally resolves the issue. Most the time it comes back saying that it can't find a valid ip address or the default gateway isn't open or something a bit like that. I've tried resetting the router and that works sometimes. I've also tried resetting all of it and unplugging the adaptors etc. Then sometimes it just won't connect to the network. I have run out of ideas and really need some help trying to make this a stable connection. Have I forgotten to do something when setting up? I thought the adaptors were basically plug and play aside from clicking the buttons to sync them. Do I need to do something on Windows that I didn't know I needed to do like actually setting up a network? I thought you would only do this if I was using a wifi/wireless connection on this computer.

Please help.
 
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Are the adapters plugged straight into wall sockets? Things like surge protectors can stop them working properly if you are using power extensions to plug them in.
 
I use TP-Link AV500 Passthrough adaptors and i have not had an issue in over a year from having them. I did not have to set anything else up. have you downloaded the untility for the Powerline adaptors from TP-Link. it might show some more info on what is happening.
 
No I've never downloaded anything for it. Any chance you can put a link up for the download. I'm also assuming any update software there is for these is on the tp-link web site?

It's not just happened with this computer. I've rebuilt a new computer and still having the same issue. I was considering the possibility of getting a network card and going wireless as the netbook or laptop that my Mrs has have no problem connecting but really I would like to keep the powerline as it should give me a faster connection. Then again I'm sure there are network cards that can deliver great speeds now. I wouldn't know what to buy if I did.
 
Sorry bud it is something with the power cabling in the house.

I get the same, tried 3 brands of homeplug and everthing i can think of including putting ferrite chokes on practically all electrical items in the house.

I have turned off EVERYTHING including the heating and thermostats and still had random disconnects. A quick replug of the adapter and it reconnects. I have tried diff routers and cabling, sockets etc etc all no no avail.

The house was rewired to a high standard 2 years ago and i am on the same ring. I have given up on having a 100% connected homeplug network.

Some days it is fine and some nights it will do it 3 or 4 times in an hour! i race round the house looking for the offending source of the interference but to no avail. Unless it is something in the house next door...
 
As above. I have exactly the same problem so have bought all the bits needed to hard-wire through my attic.

I spent ages trying to work out what was causing it and unfortunately, have never found all of them, though one of them appears to be my kids baby monitor. If he makes a noise I lose connection.

A quicker fix to running the Windows troubleshooter is to just turn the socket off and on again, it comes back on straightaway.

Weirdly though, if I am downloading or gaming in never loses connection, only when I may be online but not actually using the connection.
 
Ok cheers for that. My dad has similar powerline adaptors and has never had issues although he doesn't use it for pc. He uses it to connect his blue ray recorder.

On the plus side I am actually moving in about 2 weeks so let's hope things improve there.otherwise I may have to look into the network card route of doing things. If I was to go down this route what would you recommend? I'm not on fibre optic and im getting about 9.5 mbps. Not sure what I will get in my new area. I wouldn't mind also being given options on one's that support fibre optic in case I ever move to it one day.
 
Just run ethernet cables.

Do it properly, once.

Full speed, zero power usage, no disconnects, no hassle.

Powerline is a terrible solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
 
bledd. said:
It's too unreliable to be considered a viable option.
Click to expand...

You're assuming that everyone has the ability to run ethernet cables. Powerline isn't perfect but it could be the best option in difficult wi-fi environments where you can't run cables.
 
bledd. said:
It's too unreliable to be considered a viable option.
Click to expand...

I disagree, in some situations it works exactly as described. I used some in my house for almost a year as it wasn't practical to run in cables. I only stopped as I had a dedicated extension / office built and installed cabling at the same time.

Sure it doesn't work in some houses but in mine I had no problems.
 
bledd. said:
It's too unreliable to be considered a viable option.
Click to expand...

More reliable than wi-fi in many cases, and ultimately that's what they're used as a superior alternative to.

Just because you have a seemingly irrational dislike for them doesn't mean they're useless for everyone else's requirements.
 
bledd. said:
Just run ethernet cables.

Do it properly, once.

Full speed, zero power usage, no disconnects, no hassle.

Powerline is a terrible solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
Click to expand...

bledd. said:
It's too unreliable to be considered a viable option.
Click to expand...

Serious lol there, if it wasn't for who you are I would have suspected a trolling was going down.

The problem does exist or they wouldn't be so popular, properly cabling up a house is massively disruptive and seriously messy not to mention expensive when it come to redecorating! so is not a viable option for an awful lot of people. I've had home pugs for my media player in the lounge for years without any issues at all they are infinitely more reliable than wifi and give me play back without a hiccup.

Back on topic I can't really help the OP but it does seem that some people suffer problems that can't be resolved with home plugs so in this situation they are probably not the best solution.
 
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