TP-Link Deco - User Manual

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Quick Installation Guide83 pages

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Summary

Understanding Deco Wi-Fi Range and Placement

Deco Wi-Fi Range Factors

Explains how Deco model, house materials, and placement affect Wi-Fi range.

Optimal Distance Between Deco Units

Details recommended spacing for wireless Decos and Ethernet connectivity.

Enhancing Deco Wi-Fi Coverage

Provides practical tips for improving Deco Wi-Fi range and signal strength.

Optimizing Deco Placement for Performance

Home Layout-Based Deco Positioning

Guides Deco placement using the app based on the home's floor plan.

Ensuring Strong Deco-to-Deco Connections

Advises checking and maintaining adequate signal strength between Deco units.

Troubleshooting Deco Network Connectivity Problems

Main Deco Internet Connection Issues

Steps to resolve when the primary Deco unit loses its internet connection.

Satellite Deco Internet Connection Issues

Solutions for satellite Deco units experiencing sudden internet loss.

Device Connectivity with Normal Deco Status

Troubleshoots specific devices losing connection while Deco units show normal status.

Random Client Dropouts with Normal Deco Status

Guides troubleshooting for random client device disconnections when Deco status is normal.

Summary

Understanding Deco Wi-Fi Range and Placement

Deco Wi-Fi Range Factors

Explains how Deco model, house materials, and placement affect Wi-Fi range.

Optimal Distance Between Deco Units

Details recommended spacing for wireless Decos and Ethernet connectivity.

Enhancing Deco Wi-Fi Coverage

Provides practical tips for improving Deco Wi-Fi range and signal strength.

Optimizing Deco Placement for Performance

Home Layout-Based Deco Positioning

Guides Deco placement using the app based on the home's floor plan.

Ensuring Strong Deco-to-Deco Connections

Advises checking and maintaining adequate signal strength between Deco units.

Troubleshooting Deco Network Connectivity Problems

Main Deco Internet Connection Issues

Steps to resolve when the primary Deco unit loses its internet connection.

Satellite Deco Internet Connection Issues

Solutions for satellite Deco units experiencing sudden internet loss.

Device Connectivity with Normal Deco Status

Troubleshoots specific devices losing connection while Deco units show normal status.

Random Client Dropouts with Normal Deco Status

Guides troubleshooting for random client device disconnections when Deco status is normal.

This document provides troubleshooting steps and guidance for optimizing the Wi-Fi range and connection stability of TP-Link Deco mesh Wi-Fi systems. It addresses common issues related to Wi-Fi range, optimal placement of Deco units, and resolving unstable internet connections or sudden disconnections.

Function Description

The TP-Link Deco system is designed to provide seamless and reliable Wi-Fi coverage throughout a home or office by creating a mesh network. Instead of a single router, multiple Deco units work together to form a unified network, eliminating Wi-Fi dead zones and ensuring a strong signal in every corner. The system intelligently manages connections to ensure devices are always connected to the Deco unit with the best signal, facilitating a smooth internet experience for various activities like streaming, gaming, and browsing.

Usage Features

The document outlines several key features and considerations for effective use of the Deco system:

Wi-Fi Range Optimization: Each Deco model has a recommended Wi-Fi range, which can be found on its overview page. However, the actual range can vary significantly based on environmental factors. Users are advised to consider their house's characteristics, such as building materials, layout, potential interference sources, and the placement of Deco units.
Optimal Deco Placement:
- Distance between Units: For wireless connections, Deco units should ideally be no more than 50 feet apart to ensure a good connection. This distance can vary depending on the specific home environment. The Deco app provides guidance for suitable placement.
- Elevation: Placing Deco units higher up, such as on a bookcase or shelf, can improve coverage.
- Obstruction Avoidance: Deco units should be kept off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (e.g., metal file cabinets). Metal, walls, and floors can interfere with wireless signals, leading to weaker connections.
- Interference Reduction: It's crucial to keep Deco units away from electric devices like Bluetooth devices, USB 3.0 devices, and microwaves. These devices can radiate noise on the 2.4GHz band, negatively impacting the Deco's Wi-Fi range.
- Wired Connections (Ethernet Backhaul): If a home is wired with Ethernet, hardwiring Deco units together is a highly recommended option. Wired connections are generally more stable and faster than wireless connections, providing a more reliable Wi-Fi network. The spacing between Deco units becomes more flexible when they are wired.
Deco App Guidance for Placement: The Deco app assists users in finding suitable spots for their Satellite Deco units. When setting up, the app guides users to place units based on the selected home layout (e.g., 1 floor, 2 floors, 3+ floors). It also allows users to check the signal strength from the source Deco, ensuring a good connection between units.
Troubleshooting Unstable Internet: The document provides a structured approach to resolving internet connection issues:
- Main Deco Issues:
  - Modem Check: Verify if the modem is working by connecting a computer directly to it. If the computer has no internet, the issue might be with the ISP or modem.
  - LED Status Check: Observe the LED status on the main Deco (solid red or flashing red).
  - Cable Reconnection/Reboot: Try unplugging and replugging the Ethernet cable between the modem and main Deco, or rebooting the main Deco.
  - DNS Server Change: If there's an IP address but no internet, try changing the DNS server to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
- Satellite Deco Issues:
  - LED Status and MAC Address: Identify which Satellite Deco units are experiencing issues by checking their LED status and recording their MAC addresses.
  - Proximity to Appliances/Metal: Ensure no household appliances or metal products are near the Deco units.
  - Signal Source and Strength: Use the Deco app to check the signal source and strength of each satellite Deco.
Good Signal (Full/Two Bars): No need to move units. If only specific satellite Decos drop out, try swapping their locations with working ones to identify if the issue is location-specific or device-specific.
Weak Signal (One Bar): Move the satellite Deco closer to the main Deco and place them at the same height if on the same floor.
Ethernet Signal: If the signal shows Ethernet, check for switches between Deco units. If a switch is present, try removing it and connecting the Deco units directly to see if the network stabilizes. * Device-Specific Issues (Deco LEDs Solid White/Green, but devices drop out):
- Driver Update: Update the network adapter driver of the affected device.
- Issue Identification: Determine if the Wi-Fi shows connected but has no internet, or if the device cannot connect to Deco Wi-Fi at all.
- Proximity and Reconnection: If connected but no internet, move the device closer to a Deco unit and reconnect.
- Disable Fast Roaming/Mesh Technology: If unable to connect, try disabling Fast Roaming and Mesh Technology for the device in the Deco app.
- Guest Network Test: Try enabling an open guest network to see if the device can connect.
- Blacklist/Parental Control Check: Verify if the client device is included in the Blacklist or a Parental Control profile that is paused or at bedtime.

*   **All Client Devices Drop Out Randomly (Deco LEDs Solid White/Green):**
    *   **Issue Identification:** Determine if Wi-Fi shows connected but no internet, or if devices cannot connect to Deco Wi-Fi.
    *   **Disable Fast Roaming/Beamforming:** Try disabling Fast Roaming and Beamforming in the Deco app.
    *   **Change DNS Server:** Change the DNS server to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

Maintenance Features

The document emphasizes proactive maintenance through regular updates and detailed issue reporting:

Firmware Updates: Before troubleshooting, users are advised to ensure their Deco units are running the latest firmware version. This helps in resolving known issues and improving performance.
Detailed Issue Reporting: When contacting TP-Link Support, users are encouraged to provide comprehensive information to facilitate faster resolution. This includes:
- Results of troubleshooting steps performed.
- LED status of Deco units (distinguishing solid red from flashing red).
- Frequency of the issue.
- How the connection is recovered (e.g., rebooting Deco, automatic recovery).
- TP-Link ID (email account), ISP, and modem model number.
- Model number, hardware, and firmware version of Deco units.
- Deco app signal source/strength screenshots and distance of Satellite Deco units.
- MAC addresses of problematic Deco units.
- Screenshot of the Network Map from http://tplinkdeco.net.
- Model number of dropping client devices and how often they drop.
- Information on whether devices are connected but without internet, or totally disconnected.

By following these guidelines, users can effectively manage their TP-Link Deco system, optimize its Wi-Fi range, and troubleshoot common connectivity issues to maintain a stable and fast internet experience.

TP-Link Deco Specifications

General

Mesh Technology	Yes
Parental Controls	Yes
Beamforming	Yes
Guest Network	Yes
QoS	Yes
MU-MIMO	Yes
Security	WPA2-PSK
App Support	Yes (TP-Link Deco app)
Operating Mode	Router, Access Point