This page contains detailed instructions for configuring the TP-Link TL-WR844N router (an overview of which can be found here). In addition to the basic settings (Internet connection, Wi-Fi network setup), we will consider the process of updating the firmware and setting up additional functions.
Please note that this router can be controlled from your phone through a special application called Tether. I talked about it in more detail in this article. Through the app, you can perform the first configuration of the router We will consider the configuration process more universal - through the web interface. Which can be accessed through a browser from any device that is connected to the router.
How to connect?
First, plug the power adapter into TL-WR844N and plug it into a power outlet. Next, into the WAN port (it is blue), connect a network cable from an Internet provider, or from a modem.
The next step is to connect the device from which we will perform the configuration to the router. There are two options here:
- Connect using a network cable (which comes with the router). This method is only suitable for devices with a network card.
- Connect via Wi-Fi. From the same laptop, phone, tablet, PC (with a Wi-Fi adapter). To do this, you need to open the Wi-Fi settings, select the Wi-Fi network (the name of which (SSID) is indicated on the bottom of the router) and enter the password, which is also indicated on the bottom of the router (Wireless Password / PIN).
After connecting to the router, you need to open its settings and set the necessary parameters.
Configuring TP-Link TL-WR844N
The TL-WR844N settings can be accessed at tplinkwifi.net (it is indicated on the sticker, in the photo above). To do this, you need to open a browser, type in the address (or copy it) and go (press Enter). Just in case, I leave a link to detailed instructions: tplinkwifi.net - enter the router settings.
If the router is at factory settings, then it will immediately ask you to set (specify twice) the administrator password. This password must be remembered, since in the future it will have to be entered when entering the router settings.
If the password setting window does not appear, then most likely someone has already configured the router. In this case, I would advise you to do a factory reset on the TL-WR844N. Hold the "WPS / Reset" button for 8-10 seconds. The indicators will go out, then light up again, the router will boot up and you can continue.
By default, the Quick Setup Wizard opens immediately, allowing you to perform a guided setup. You can skip it by clicking on the "Skip" button and set the settings in separate sections of the web interface. I usually use the quick setup wizard. In the first step, he asks you to choose your time zone.
Next are the most important settings. You need to select the type of connection that your Internet provider uses. I have this "Dynamic IP". This is the only connection type, after selecting which you do not need to enter any settings. If you have PPPoE, you will need to register a username and password. If PPTP, or L2TP, then you need to specify the server address.
You can find out the type of connection and the parameters required for setting either from the support of the Internet provider, or look in the agreement on connecting to the Internet.
For example, PPPoE setup:
If you select "Dynamic IP", the router will offer to clone the MAC address. If your ISP does not bind by MAC address, then nothing needs to be changed, just continue with the configuration.
The next step is Wi-Fi setup. You need to come up with and set a network name (SSID) and a password that will need to be entered on the devices when connecting to your Wi-Fi network.
We save the settings.
During the saving process, a window will appear asking you to reconnect your devices to the Wi-Fi network (with a new name and password). We connect and confirm this in the web interface.
After that, click on the "Finish" button and enter the router's web interface.
There are 4 sections here: "Network Map" - a network map. Where information about the router, internet connection and connected devices (clients) is displayed. "Internet" - quick settings for connecting to the Internet. If there is no Internet connection through the router, an error is displayed on the network map, then in this section you can change the settings for connecting to the provider. "Wireless" - Wi-Fi network settings. You can change the network name or password. "Advanced" - advanced settings.
Operating mode (repeater, access point, WISP) on TL-WR844N
Since it is a multi-mode router, it has 4 modes of operation: Router, Access Point, Range Extender (Repeater) and WISP. I talked about them in the review (the link is at the beginning of the article).
You can change the operating mode in the "Advanced" - "Operation Mode" section.
Just select the desired mode and save the settings. A connection diagram is shown next to each mode, which is very convenient.
IPTV / VLAN setting
TP-Link TL-WR844N supports IPTV. There are all the necessary settings. They are located in the "Advanced" - "Network" - "IPTV / VLAN" section. You can, for example, configure in bridge mode. Select one or several LAN ports for connecting an IPTV set-top box.
Or register VLAN ID. I have already written in more detail about setting up IPTV on TP-Link routers.
Change administrator password
A password is set to protect the control panel of the router. We installed it at the very beginning, when we just went into the router settings. If you need to change it, you can do it in the "Advanced" - "System" - "Administration" section. You need to specify the old password and the new one twice. Then save the settings.
If you forgot your password and you do not have access to the settings, then there is only one way out - reset the settings. To do this, press and hold the "WPS / Reset" button for 8-10 seconds. After that, the router will be like new.
TL-WR844N Firmware
You can update the software on the TP-Link TL-WR844N router in the "Advanced" - "System" - "Firmware Upgrade" section.
To update the software, connect to the router using a network cable. It is not recommended to update via Wi-Fi.
But first you need to download the firmware from the TP-Link website. Specifically for this model, hardware version and for the region. All this information is on a sticker on the bottom of the router. For example, I have a device for the EU (Europe) region.
As it turned out, the TP-Link website does not yet have new firmware for this router (at the time of this writing). For the reason that it is still new, it just went on sale.
You just need to download the firmware file from the site (when it appears there), select it in the router settings (in the "Firmware Upgrade" section) and click on the "UPGRADE" button.
Wait until the update process completes and the router reboots. During the update, do not disconnect the cable, do not close the tab in the browser, do not disconnect the router!
In the comments to this article, you can leave questions related to TP-Link TL-WR844N. Perhaps you cannot configure the router, the Internet does not work, or some other problem.
