Solution Powerline Extender Acting as the DHCP server
This Article Applies to:
TL-WPA7510, TL-WPA9610, TL-WPA8730/8630(P) V2, WPA4220 V3, etc.
Problem Description/ Phenomenon:
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Some users may find that after the power outage or router’s rebooting, even after router’s internet is back and up running, client devices still get IP address from powerline extender, and cannot connect to the internet.
Note: if router loses internet and then goes back afterwards, powerline extender will do a scan automatically, if it detects another DHCP Server is running, it will disable its own automatically (when powerline units remain paired), and the devices will get IP address from main router then access the internet through that.
Troubleshooting Suggestions:
1. Double check if the main router’s internet is actually back ON and working fine.
To confirm this, wire a computer or laptop to another LAN port of the router using an Ethernet cable, leave the main powerline adapter connected to the LAN port of the router as well, check if you can access the internet successfully on the computer or laptop. If yes, that means the router's DHCP server is up and running; If not, you will need to check what's wrong with the router after the reboot or power outage.
2. Make sure the powerline adapter and extender are still paired (house LEDs are ON), show us the IP address on the clients devices. Compare that when the internet is good and when it is not.
How to check the IP address on a computer: https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/669/.
If your model is not listed or the issue persists, please report back with the information below to help locate the issue.
Or send a support email to TP-Link technical support with title ‘[Forum ID 265692] Powerline Extender Acting as the DHCP server’ to get further assistance:
1. How did you find out powerline device's DHCP server does not work properly? Did you often reboot main router or is there often power outage in your house?
2. Does router’s internet work fine at that moment?
3. LED status on both powerline units.
4. Brand and Model of router, the network topology, for example:
ISP modem --- Router Archer C7 --- PA8010 .... <powerline> ...WPA8630P --- Asus laptop model X.
5. Model & OS of devices that connected to wireless powerline unit.
6. Model number & firmware and hardware version of your powerline KIT, update the firmware if it is not the latest version:
How to update the firmware of the powerline adapter using the tpPLC Utility: https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/1091/
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@MortuuS Hello,
Thank you for your detailed information, I'm afraid TL-WPA8630 EU V2 does not have a beta firmware yet.
May I know do you mean setting up a static IP on Windows helps computer to work stable when iPad and iPhone are lose Internet<-IP assigned by powerline device?
If so, as a temporary suggestion you could try to set up static IP for mobile devices as the guide online: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-change-ip-address-on-iphone
At the same time we would like a specialist to follow up your case please check your inbox, thank you.
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Yes, when setting a static IP on a device you can choose the default gateway yourself. So by then inputting the IP address of the modem/router instead of the WPA8630. Internet (WAN) functionality is restored. This will also work on mobile devices, such as an iPhone or iPad. But is very unwanted behavior.
I try to stay clear of static settings on any device that is not the DHCP server. Especially for Windows devices since those settings are done on an interface level, not an individual network level. This will cause issues when trying to connect to another network.
This would mean that my neighbors should change their IP settings every time they take their laptop with them to family.. Once again very unwanted behavior.
Is there any sight on TP-Link permanently fixing this issue? Previous topics here seem to suggest that this problem has been going on for a while and isn't even fixed by the beta firmware in the OP.
By looking for other solutions online I found that some of these devices are capable of accepting custom firmware (OpenWRT). Is that what TP-Link is steering us to for such basic features as simply turning on and off a DHCP server..
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@Solla-topee I have been having internet trouble since day one with TP-Link products - at first I bought the WPA4220 Kit which was a joke because it only comes with 100mbit ports, so I returned this and when it was on sale I got the TL-WPA8631P instead.
I've been having the DHCP faults with TL-WPA8631P since I bought it in February, usually the internet cuts off for a few moments and comes back again, but last night was the final straw when the DHCP server started and didn't switch back off again while I was streaming TV. My internet was not down during that time as other devices connected directly to the main router were unaffected.
Much like @MortuuS I don't like the proposed solution that the DHCP server will switch off 'if using a static IP.' I would much prefer the option to disable the DHCP entirely and be able to continue using a reserved IP from my main routers DHCP like I currently am.
Is work being done to accommodate switching off the DHCP server?
So far all I can see from the forums is that since the last time I looked for information in February not much has changed.
The firmware listed on the support page is actually OLDER than the one that came on my device (3.0.0 Build 20200508 Rel.41814)
And the beta firmwares listed for download in this thread are receiving feedback that they do not resolve the problem.
Why are the technical staff having such trouble turning this apparently small but buggy feature off? It is absolutely destroying the reliability of the device and the reputation of TP link.
Like others have said - The device is not a router so why is it handing out IP addresses naming itself as the default route?!
Edit:
Also: the reliability of the powerline is not 100% (it ended up in a disconnected state just this morning even though it had been power cycled last night to try and correct the DHCP issue)
Also: Why does it run SO HOT. The thing is extremely hot for home networking gear
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@Solla-topee I have tried to use the debug firmware you shared. Unfortunately it is rejected by the devices with the message, "Failed, Wrong file." As requested, here is a screen shot:
The screen shot shows my current firmware and hardware version. I am using the firmware wpa8630pv2_uk-up-ver2-1-1-P1-20210716-rel63086tp-debug.bin as shared with me in a PM.
This error occurs for both my TL-WPA8603P v2.0 devices.
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I also tried installing this update using tpPLC app with a freshly downloaded and unzipped BIN file. Here is the result.
There is something wrong with the BIN file. Has anyone tried with the UK variant and had more success than me?
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@dunxd Hi, I believe it installed fine on my 8630p. I did it from the system tools, Firmware upgrade option and just browsed for the UK file I downloaded..
Not convinced it's made any difference though. My connection keeps dropping out at least once or twice a day with a static IP assigned.
Good luck!
Neil.
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Hi @Solla-topee any chance of a beta for TL-WPA4220 V5 ?
This is really problematic. I need the DHCP disabled
See details of the setup here:
https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/207438?replyId=617426
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We found that DHCP server may start again after the powerline unit is powered off or unplugged, so it is recommended to ensure powerline units is not unplugged or be powered off while test the beta if possible. We will update on this thread if there is any new beta firmware available.
We will have a specialist to follow up your case via email to look in the issue further and try to fix it, please check your inbox later , thank you.
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@peturdainn Hello,
I updated the WPA4220 V5 beta, please give it a try and free to let us know if it helps with the stability.
Beta Note: please avoid powering off or unplug PLC while testing this beta firmware (after setting up static IP ), or DHCP may start again.
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@Solla-topee thank you!
I hope that the DHCP start after unplug/replug will get fixed too, A toggle switch in the UI to disable it would have been fine as well ;)
Will let you know how it goes, I'm on location next week
Peter
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