I recently reviewed the TP-Link Archer C1200 router. You can read the review here. There I told for what purposes it is worth buying this router, why it is good, and what drawbacks it has. But you most likely are not interested, since you probably already purchased the Archer C1200, and all you need is to set it up and start using it faster. If I guessed right, then you came to the address, since now I will demonstrate in detail the process of configuring the TP-Link Archer C1200 router.
We will connect it, and most likely try to configure it using the quick setup wizard, through the control panel. Of course, you can set the necessary parameters for the operation of the router in different sections of the web interface. But, if there is a simple setup wizard that allows you to configure the router step by step, then it’s silly not to use it. Well, if something does not work out, then I will show you where in the settings of this router you can change the most important and necessary parameters.
If you are already familiar with TP-Link routers and have configured them, then the control panel of the Archer C1200 model will most likely be unfamiliar to you. Since the older models had a green control panel. And now, almost all new models of network devices from TP-Link receive a new control panel. More modern. And as a rule, the new web interface is multilingual. This means that you can change the language to Russian or Ukrainian. But my router only had English. Perhaps other localizations will appear with the release of a new firmware version. But this is not scary, because according to my instructions, you can even configure a router from Xiaomi in Chinese 🙂
How to connect TP-Link Archer C1200 router and go to settings?
To configure the router, we need to go to its control panel. This can be done from almost any device: computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet. If possible, I advise you to configure it from a PC or laptop. If only because it's more convenient. And it's better to connect to the router via a network cable (you can also use Wi-Fi). Also, immediately connect the Internet to the WAN port (the cable that the Internet provider laid into your house).
You can also connect to a Wi-Fi network, which will have a factory name. The password (PIN) for connecting to this network can be found on the bottom of the router, on a sticker. Since we have a dual-band router, it will immediately broadcast the network in two 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. If you are going to configure from a tablet or smartphone, then this can be done through a regular browser, or using the proprietary TP-LINK Tether application.
If you, or someone else has already been fed to configure the router, then do a factory reset. Holding down the Reset button recessed into the case for 10 seconds.
Go to tplinkwifi.net or 192.168.0.1
After you have connected to the router (note that the Internet may not work, this is normal), you can go to the control panel. To do this, open any browser (I have Opera) and go to tplinkwifi.net, or 192.168.0.1. Just in case, I give a link to detailed instructions: https://help-wifi.com/tp-link/kak-zajti-v-nastrojki-routera-tp-link/
The router will ask for a username and password. Factory: admin and admin (indicated on the sticker on the bottom of the router, like other factory information).
Router will immediately offer to change the factory login and password to enter the settings (which we just entered). We change them. You can leave the login the same, and create a new password and write it down twice.
Just don't forget the password you are setting. You will need it when you re-enter the control panel.
After that, the page with settings for the Archer C1200 router will open. The quick setup wizard will open immediately. You can also try changing the language of the web interface. Maybe you will have other options besides English.
If you can't go to the settings, then look at this article.
Configuring connection to the provider and Wi-Fi network
These are the settings that can be made using the Quick Setup Wizard. And this is enough for the normal operation of the router. If it did not open for you immediately after entering the web interface, then go to the "Quick Setup" tab.
1In the first step, we need to choose our time zone.
2Next, Internet connection settings. This is very important point... If we set the wrong settings, the router will not be able to connect to the Internet, and will not distribute it to your devices.
You need to choose your type of Internet connection. This could be:
- Dynamic IP - the simplest type of connection, when using which you do not need to specify any parameters. And the Internet via TP-Link Archer C1200 should work immediately after connecting the cable to the WAN port. If there is no MAC address binding.
- Static IP - very rare.
- PPPoE - a popular type of connection used by providers Rostelecom, TTK, Dom.ru, and others. During the setup process, be sure to specify the username and password.
- PPTP and L2TP - you also need to specify a username, password and also the server address.
You can find out the type of connection and the required parameters from your provider.
Select the type of connection and click "Next".
I chose PPPoE as an example. Now we set the parameters given by the provider and continue.
I showed this as an example. My ISP uses the "Dynamic IP" connection type. Having selected it, in the next window the router will ask if there is a binding by MAC address, and will offer to clone the MAC address from the computer to which the router is currently connected. My ISP does not bind by MAC address.
3 The next step is to configure the Wi-Fi network. Here we need to change the name of the Wi-Fi network for each band, and change the password for the Wi-Fi network. The password can be made the same for both ranges. If necessary, you can turn off the broadcast of the Wi-Fi network on one of the bands by simply unchecking the corresponding checkbox.
4Check all the specified parameters and press the "Save" button to save the settings.
You will see a bar with the status of saving settings. We wait.
In the next window, you can click on the "Test Internet Connection" link. If all is well, the router is connected to the Internet, then click on the "Finish" button.
If there is no Internet connection, then most likely the connection type was chosen incorrectly, or the parameters for the connection were set incorrectly. The WAN LED on the router will glow orange (it should be green).
Go back, or run "Quick Setup" again, and repeat the setup.
Where are the internet and Wi-Fi settings?
All basic settings can be set in the "Basic" section. And in the "Advanced" section there are a lot of advanced options.
For example, Internet settings:
And advanced Wi-Fi network settings (where you can change the password, channel, operating mode, channel width, etc.):
We have a separate instruction to change the password of the Wi-Fi network: https://help-wifi.com/tp-link/kak-ustanovit-ili-smenit-parol-wi-fi-seti-na-routere-tp-link /
If you still have any questions, or you have encountered a problem, then ask in the comments. I will be happy to answer and try to help!
