Hello   @Cornman 

Please double-check if your range extender supports Cloud feature and it should be in the cloud service compatibility list

https://www.tp-link.com/us/cloud-service/product-list/#range-extenders

If your range extender supports cloud feature, you will need to bind your tp-link ID with range extender so the status can change to 'cloud' instead of 'local'

You can bind account from web page or Tp-Link Tether app . Let's take RE550 as an example, please refer to UG page 25 for details. 

1. Visit http://tplinkrepeater.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the extender.

2. Go to Settings > TP-Link Cloud, and focus on the Bound Accounts section.

3. Click , enter another TP-Link ID as needed and click Save.