Access Point vs Mesh clarification

[#1]

@Dan_the_Van 

Thanks again for your post.

Weird, changed nothing and today - as yesterday - the tpPLC utility seems to scan continually.

However yesterday it only ever reported "No devices connected" or just the PA4010.

However today I occasionally also saw the WPA4220?

Using the key, managed to add the WPA over wireless (at least the utility reported sucess) and later the 4010 during those brief intervals when it saw both ... then the utility reverted to no devices connected.  My PC doesn't have an enthernet socket.

Not sure I'm using the right hardware version, where the version info should I see "UK/5.0" for WPA4220 and "UK/3.0" for PA4010 which I believe are the same as you have?

Mostly I see just the PA4010 and I'm hoping I'll be able to see the WPA and change it's channel which might, hopefully, fix the problem I'm having if it's due to wifi conflicts.  Hope I have time to find which option of the WPA setup leads to the advanced option being displayed...

Cannot access the WPA4220 wirelessly as the router reports it's a disconnected wifi device.

I've used earlier powerline (ethernet only) devices over the house power wiring previously (years ago, pre wifi) with no apparent problem but not between router and rear of house and notice that the data rate seems low and variable (between 7-10 IIRC) so I'm trying a different outlet - but no change so far.

I fear I may have faulty hardware because the MAC address of the device connected to port 3 (which is what the 4010 is connected to) is highlighted (i.e. connected and visible) but doesn't correspond to the MAC address printed on the back of the 4010.

I think I'll factory reset the two devices then start over and not unify the network and see if that helps.

I also have an older PC that does have an ethernet port so I guess I could resurrect that...

...

Tho' tbh I've spent absolutely ages on this now and might just return the damn thing.,

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Cheers!

[#2]

Update: new connection "BT-Wifi-Disc-4850" appeared on port 3 with yet another unrecognised MAC address.

No clue as to why that's just appeared.

[#3]

Update 2: done factory reset and now have second network with TP link SSID (did not unify network).

However tpPLC still not seeing WPA.

Disconnected from router wifi, connected OK to TP link network... but PC reported "No internet, secured".

[#4]

@padbit 

I'm not be funny here, but have you referred to the quick installation guides I linked to?

You do have the pa4010 connected to the Hub?

The WPA 4220 has two functions

1) powerline adapter 

2) wireless access point (WAP)

So you use the instructions for the 4010 to pair the the two together, then the 4220 to setup the WAP

It will be the MAC address of the 4220 which has the IP Address, the WPS button should pair the wifi to the Hubs wifi

[#5]

Just spent an hour chatting with TPlink support and managed to upgrade firmware on both devices during the short window when the ever scanning tpPLC briefly saw both devices and allowed me to actually do something.

I suspect I might have a dodgy 4220 and/or house wiring (but have used powerline devices before OK, years ago before I had wifi) but they have opened a ticket and will review, getting back to me in an hour or so.

Have had multiple issues and have been unable to thread a coherent path through them and I think the TPlink support person had a similar head-scratch moment so glad it's not just me and I wasn't being (totally) dim.

Will see what they come up with.

Cheers!

[#6]

For set up and configuration it’s pragmatic to plug them into the same double socket.  That way you eliminate the power cables from the equation.

[#7 · Accepted solution]

Actually eventually fixed things myself.

I don't have a smartphone and was using the quick start printed guide.
I hadn't realised pairing was mandatory, once I did that everything worked.
Can now access the internet via tplink wireless, haven't unified the network yet.

Many thanks to everyone for your time and apologies for wasting same, just wish the docs had been clearer that you had to pair the devices.

Am sending this from the tplink network. 👍

Cheers and thanks again.

[#8]

@padbit 

Good it's now working, you should have said you didn't have a smart phone, I could have given you more specific advice.

Anyway I did say in my last post you need to pair the devices using the 4010 instructions and then setup the 4220.

[#9]

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@Dan_the_Van wrote:

Anyway I did say in my last post you need to pair the devices using the 4010 instructions and then setup the 4220.

---

Indeed you did. 😊

Mad few days in rl and simply missed that part of your post: "more haste, less speed".

D'Oh!  😖

Multitasking whilst chatting with tplink support was also a new experience for me... the operator was very patient!

Thanks again for your help.

Cheers!