topic Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up in Broadband

TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Capital — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 17:16:28 GMT

I've just bought 2 Deco X20 hub/routers to replace may aging D-Link. The primary motivation was to set up a mesh system throughout the house.

Unfortunately I can't reach the internet through the Deco. I go through the set-up procedures, guided by TP-Link's help desk, but although it sets up a local WiFi signal, it fails to connect to the internet. I'm using an Openreach DSL.

Does anyone have experience of persuading Decos to talk to the net?

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

MisterW — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 18:00:53 GMT

I'm using an Openreach DSL.

@Capital I assume that means youre connecting the X20 via an Openreach DSL modem.

You need to set the DEco INternet connection settings to PPPoE with your PLusnet username and password.

Username is <youracccountname>@plusdsl.net and the password is the one you use to access the member centre.

If the Deco has any option for VLAN ID then make sure its disabled

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

RealAleMadrid — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 08:12:35 GMT

@Capital The TP-Link will work on Plusnet, but you need a VDSL2 modem to connect to the line. This could be an Openreach modem or the Plusnet Hub2 configured in Bridge mode which acts as a stand alone modem. What hardware have you tried?

Not clear what you mean by "an Openreach DSL" 🤔

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Baldrick1 — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 08:29:26 GMT

@RealAleMadrid

As this has been posted on the Full Fibre board I am assuming that the @Capital is referring to the BT ONT, in which case this acts as the modem.

@Capital I assume that you are on Full Fibre and not one of the FTTC products?

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Capital — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 12:08:56 GMT

Ah, my mistake. I have an FTTC connection. Until now I wasn't aware of the distinction. Sorry about that.

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Baldrick1 — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 15:29:12 GMT

Moderator's note:
Thread moved from Full Fibre to Broadband

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Capital — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 10:56:59 GMT

Thank you MisterW, disabling the VLAN option worked to get an internet connection. Unfortunately it still doesn't provide internet through to my house cabling. Not everything is WiFi. TP_Link are looking into it. Some documentation would be a huge help, but that's not the way these things are set up.

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

MisterW — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 11:10:05 GMT

Unfortunately it still doesn't provide internet through to my house cabling.

If you explain a bit more, maybe with a diagram of how the units are connected, we may be able to help

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Baldrick1 — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 11:12:53 GMT

@Capital

Do you mean you have access to the Internet over the deco wireless SSID but not using wired devices plugged into the deco satellites?

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

MisterW — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 12:00:35 GMT

@Capital there's a long thread about the problem here https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/209202?sortDir=ASC&page=1

Started in 2020 , last post in April this year! problem still exists...

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Capital — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:20:46 GMT

Thanks MisterW. That is indeed a long thread with no clear resolution. I've attached a sketch of the configuration ignoring the satellite Deco. I was hoping to be able to distribute the Deco units at various points in the building linked by ethernet cables, rather than having to position them closer and relying on wifi to provide the backhaul function. It would mean fewer satellites.

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

MisterW — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:38:47 GMT

@Capital

So does the desktop if connected directly to the Deco work fine ? but not work through the switch

Is it a DHCP issue ? does a static IP on the desktop then work through the switch ?

What model is the switch ?

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Baldrick1 — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:45:53 GMT

For what it's worth. I have set up a 3 unit M4 mesh for a friend. This consists of an EE hub with WiFi switched off and the M4s in Access Point mode (assumed necessary as there's a digital phone service running from the hub). The master M4 feeds an Ethernet switch. The other two M4s use Ethernet connections to the switch for the backhaul. One of the satellite M4s uses the second Ethernet socket to feed a computer.

@Capital

Have you tried putting the Hub 2 back and using the Decos in AP mode?

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

MisterW — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:50:14 GMT

@Baldrick1 that would imply it is a DHCP problem. In router mode, the Deco is going to be the DHCP server, in AP mode it isnt.

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Capital — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:55:09 GMT

Hi Baldrick1 - I don't have a Hub 2. The Huawei modem is the one that BT supplied and I already had a functional router, so didn't take the offered Hub.

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Capital — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:59:31 GMT

Agreed, but I am struggling to see how to set up the DCHP through the TP interface. The TP helpline person did not sound at all confident about guiding me through that and i'm waiting for further instructions from them. Unfortunately I don't have a laptop, so I'll need to drag the desktop upstairs to check whether taking the switch out of the picture helps. So much to do ...

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

MisterW — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 14:18:13 GMT

Unfortunately I don't have a laptop, so I'll need to drag the desktop upstairs to check whether taking the switch out of the picture helps.

Surely, wherever the switch is, you can bypass it with cables direct from the desktop without moving it ?

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Capital — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 14:58:46 GMT

Yes, but I have to shut down my existing router and set up the Deco. It might be possible to leave both WiFi systems running at the same time, but I haven't tried that yet. Given the difficulties in getting the Deco set up in the first place, I have routinely shut everything else down before starting the Deco. May not be necessary now, of course.

Hopefully there will be enough slack in the desktop cable at the switch end to be able to plug it into the Deco directly. I guess I was being a bit pessimistic about that possibility.

There is only one DSL port on the Huawei modem, so definitely either-or.

Re: TP-Link Deco X20 set-up

Baldrick1 — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 15:24:17 GMT

Surely the way to get a clue as to whether or not it's a DHCP problem is to simply put the old Dlink router back and set the deco mesh to AP mode? It won't matter if both are transmitting wireless to prove the point.