TP Link Range Extender Woes

Hi all,

First post here, searched the forum with no luck. I tend to rabble a bit so bear with me

A few months ago I bought a TP Link Range Extender (WA730RE) to boost my WiFi signal around the home and eliminate some signal blackspots .

Set up was not an issue, I have networking qualifications, all be it basic ones, but I know what I am doing.

Anyway, I have a problem, with signal loss, drop outs, devices jumping between my "Super Hub" (Virgin media) and my TP Link Range extender.

The TP Link device is set to "Range Extender" mode, and is picking up my "SuperHub" WiFi Signal and repeating it.

It connects to the "SuperHub" via mac address as far as I can tell. I use WPA2 for security - which all my devices support.

When it works, it works "oK", but this is around 10% of the time.

I'll explain my set up with my "top of the range" CAD drawing, then go through my problems

Tried to insert picture here, I can't post a URL as I am a 1 post n00b , see attached drawing

House is pretty old, with solid walls . SuperHub line in comes into front room in the corner near the door.

Wireless blackspots . (Note: When TP Link router is having it's 10% working time, all blackspots are eliminated.)

Corner of dining room near opening in wall (basically between two walls)

Rear Garden

Left hand side of front garden infront of garage/shed

Garage / Shed itself

Upstairs Bathroom - which is weird, it works in the doorway - take one step into the bathroom and you disconnect

"Down the Side" as I call it basically the path running to the back garden, between the house and garage. If I stand right infront of the back door, I get a signal, anywhere else , nothing. Even with the TP Link extender a few feet above my head inside on the window sill

Problem 1 : XBOX 360 disconnects.So I'm happily gaming away on the upstairs Xbox (Downstairs is hard wired, no issues) Suddenly I get booted of Xbox Live. Trying to reconnect doesnt work. I have to go to the dashboard and do a conenction test, test returns all ok every time, then it works again untill it decides to "disconnect" again (Signal never drops below 4/5 bars - even when I "cannot connect to XBOX live") Strange thing here is, it doesnt actually disconnect, when in the dash, it still shows as connected to my WiFi, with a valid IP but it has no "internet". On a few occasions, I have returned to the dash, to find I am still connected but with an IP of 0.0.0.0 (this has probably happened twice out of 50 disconnects)

Problem 2 : Garden and Garage connection. (Main issue - this is why I bought the repeater)
Mainly this is in the garage, I go here to smoke, So I usually take my phone with me and have a little youtube time or browse around online while I have a ciggy. 99% of the time my phone shows the lowest signal 1 bar out of 4. Sometimes it flicks to 3 bars for around a second, then back to one. 10% of the time it works ok. The other 90% , although it shows a connection and 1 bar of signal, I have no internet. Checked IP settings, all fine just no connection.

Problem 3 : TP Link Extender not active.For some reason, at random times, the TP link router does not conenct to my "Super Hub" this is random and intermittent as far as I can tell. There is a light on the TP link router to display if it is running as a range extender. As soon as it makes a connection to the "SuperHub" this light illuminates. Every now and then, I have no wireless in the black spots on my diagram. So I check the TP Link router, the light is out, Unplug, plug back in and it works again.

Problem 4 : Laptops Intermittent.Seemingly random issue when TP link Router is in use. Laptops either get the "limited or no connectivity" (this is rare) or simply won't work. They are connected, with excellent signal and valid IP. But no apparent internet connection. restart / Turn off of my TP link extender fixes this.


Now, If I illiminate the TP Link hardware completely, Problem 1 and 4 are solved. Issue here is I have the blackspots I bought this extender to eliminate (see diagram) .

I have a few suggestions for the cause the problem.

1. Both routers use the same SSID - I think there may be an issue with devices switching between routers as signal strengh fluctuates. The TP link device must be set up in this fashion, unless you hardwire it in - which is useless to me. TP Link and "SuperHub" both have independant DHCP as far as I can tell. If you connect to TP link - you get IP from TP Link , if you connect to "SuperHub" You get IP from "SuperHub". I think perhaps it's switching routers, but not requesting a new IP as devices think they are still connected to the same router.

2. Signal blockage - router placement. The "SuperHub" is in the living room, essentially directly next to a wall, unfortunatly this is my VM line in point, and also where my XBOX and TV are hard wired in. The TP Link is at the top of the stairs, on the windowsill, this window looks directly onto the garage. When I am in the garage, I am literaly 6 feet away from the TP Link router, and I get 1 bar of signal. There's essentially, the alcove/recess of the window itself, and the garage wall to block the signal. I have placed my mobile on the windowsill where the repeater is and there is a constant signal of decent strengh. If I put the aerial of the TP link router out the window, I get better signal outside, but I get more drops between the "SuperHub" and TP Link. (So solves Problem 2 , but makes 3 worse)

3. Wireless channel - I've changed this so I am using one that is not in use in my area, didnt really seem to solve anything, since then my "SuperHub" has done a few of it's "Special resets" overnight (it likes to facoty default itself) Chaning channel didn't seem to fix it so I have left it as default for now.

I think I have two issues side by side.
1 - being placement of the routers, signal blockage etc.
2 - SSID's the same, XBOX and Laptops jumping between routers not requesting new IP confusing routers (then again static IP no doubt works fine so if the IP is already assigned, and valid should it work?, perhaps it's causing an IP conflict?)

Another thing is, the "Lan IP" of the TP Link router is in a different range. I'm pretty sure this is just the ethernet IP not the Wifi IP.


Network Config.

Superhub IP - 192.168.0.1
TP Link "IP" - 192.168.1.254
TP Link WIFI IP - DHCP from SuperHub (Checked on SuperHub status the TP link is down as"*STATIC IP*" on the DHCP lease table with a valid 192.168.0.* IP)
Xbox/Phone/Laptop - Wireless connection, DHCP

Both devices use same SSID and Same security WPA2 PSK


So, What would you guys suggest.

I'm pretty sure the main issue is the locations, walls killing my signal. I think I need to move my TP link extender, but where to put it?
I dont need signal in the bathroom, I listen to TuneIn Radio in the tub sometimes but I'm sure I can live without, It's the gardens, the corner in the kitchen and the garage that are my main targets. I presumed the higher the better for the router? Can anybody suggest a better location using my amazing drawing? I think I have signal blockage from "SuperHub" to TP Link , and then blockage again from TP Link to Garden/Garage. (window alcove could have steel joust?) Also, I can't really move the SuperHub, I can a bit, say a foot or so up, down, or right, there's a wall to the left. Also that wall is blocking my signal from the get go, as essentially, everything is on the other side of that wall. (Once again see digram )

I can survey a few locations with a WiFI analyser app and give some DB readings from around the house if needs be

Could it be a config issue, shall I see if there is a way I can have two SSID's? (Im 99% sure I can't) . Should I assign a static IP to the TP Link router?

I was thinking, of putting the SuperHub as close to the front room window as possible, then putting TP link actually in the Garage, I've tried this before and it didn't work. The closest point to the front room in the garage has loads of copper pipes and an electrical fuse box on the wall which I am sure won't be helping my case.

Any help greatly appreciated. Many apologies for the absolute essay, and congratulations and thanks if you had the patients to read it all. I dont even have the patients to proof read it properly

Many Thanks and Hello!

Dean

Attached Images

 

200+ view and over 10 days.

Not one person has even the smallest clue?

C'mon guys all the info is there.

I must be able to avoid splasing out on a router and using Modem mode on the super hub

Let the tp-link IP be 192.168.0.254, that's 1.
2, Changing the security to WEP would solve your 'problem 3' as it had to me.

I'm having this very same problem. I enabled the DHCP, with the Default Gateway, Primary and Secondary DNS as the SuperHub IP. Default domain as the tp-link IP.
Been working fine few hours now. God knows whether I will have this frustrating limited connectivity soon again.

The TP-Link's IP of 192.168.1.254 is for the ethernet connection only.

Once in "range extender" the TP link it using DHCP for it's IP.

Also, I used to run it with WEP and had the same issue

Thanks though

I think it's just crappy wireless connection between the superhub and the extender.

For what it's worth, I've been trying to get the tp link 830 range extender to work and have exactly the same problem plus it transmits a very poor signal. Conclusion - tp link are cheap 'n' cheerful and like most things cheap 'n' cheerful, don't expect much of them. I've gone back to using netgear repeaters.

Hi, I am no expert but I have had a go with TP Link Wireless Routers. Successfully.
If you have the time and patience you can try the following:
On Your TL TP-LINK Router - WA730RE

1 –Router Setup and Enable Range Extender : >> Wireless >> Wireless Settings., Operation Mode: “Range Extender”, Tick “Enable Wireless Radio”, Click “Search” button. Make sure it is picking up your ISP Modem/Router “SuperHub”

2 – Network >> LAN : Choose “Static IP”, Manually set the IP Address of the TP Link Router in the same sub net as your ISP’s’ e.g.
Static IP e.g. - 192.168.0.2,
Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0,
and Gateway : 192.168.0.1

3 – DHCP : DHCP Settings.
DHCP Server : tick “Enable”
Start IP Address : 192.168.0.20 End IP Address : 192.168.0.30
Default Gateway : 192.168.0.1
Primary and Secondary DNS : (from ISP)

4 - DHCP you should be mindful of the Lease Address range. If you do decide to manually put in the IP for your Laptop or Xbox. Make sure it is outside of that range (192.168.0.20 – 192.168.0.30) but within the same subnet. E.g. 192.168.0.31, 192.168.0.32, 192.168.0.33 similarly ,192.168.0.19, 192.168.0.18, 192.168.0.17

5 – Run only one DHCP server i.e. disable the other one. Choose either the SuperHub Router or your TP LINK Router. Choose one or the other. Personally I would use the TPLINK Router.

HOWEVER..…..

???? – WIRELESS >> WIRELESS SETTINGS: Range Extender vs. Access Point Mode.
RANGE EXTENDER MODE : ?
If we choose Range Extender Mode where is the option to manually put in SSID for the TP Link Router ? I downloaded the User Manual for your TP Link Router : Model WA730RE. Had a quick look. I don’t understand how (if possible) to manually put in SSID in Range Extender Mode.
Does it mean your Router will only work as a wireless repeater (Range Extender) or as an Access Point – only one - not the other (i.e. not both)?

If this is the case, then you should disable the DHCP on the TP-LINK Router and enable your SuperHub DHCP Server with the same settings:
DHCP Server - “Enable”
Start IP Address : 192.168.0.20 End IP Address : 192.168.0.30
Default Gateway : 192.168.0.1
Primary and Secondary DNS : (from ISP)

6 - I am assuming you are using Windows. While you are re-configuring your Router, it is a good idea to put in manually the IP Settings into your Laptop/Desktop. Because sometimes the client does not pick up the DHCP settings straight away. i.e. no connection. You could use the following settings :

Static IP e.g. 192.168.0.5, (or, 192.168.0.6, 192.168.0.7, 192.168.0.8, etc..)
Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0,
Gateway : 192.168.0.1
DNS 1 and 2 : (from ISP)

Also, a good practice is to backup the Router Configuration before you play with the settings. You’ll find it right down the bottom under ‘System Tools’ >> ‘Backup & Restore’. Good luck.