This guide is a complement of Quick Installation Guide. The Quick Installation Guide
instructs you on quick internet setup, and this guide provides details of each function
and shows you the way to configure these functions appropriate to your needs.
When using this guide, please note that features available of the router may vary by
model and software version. Router‘s availability may also vary by region or ISP. All
images, steps, and descriptions in this guide are only examples and may not reflect
your actual experience.
Conventions
In this guide the following conventions are used:
ConventionDescription
Underlined
Teal
>
Note:
Tips:
Symbols on the web
page
*Maximum wireless signal rates are the physical rates derived from IEEE Standard 802.11
specifications. Actual wireless data throughput and wireless coverage are not guaranteed and
will vary as a result of network conditions, client limitations, and environmental factors, including
building materials, obstacles, volume and density of traffic, and client location.
Underlined words or phrases are hyperlinks. You can click to redirect to a
website or a specific section.
Contents to be emphasized and texts on the web page are in teal, including the
menus, items, buttons, etc.
The menu structures to show the path to load the corresponding page.
For example, Advanced > Wireless > MAC Filtering means the MAC Filtering
function page is under the Wireless menu that is located in the Advanced tab.
• Ignoring this type of note might result in a malfunction or damage to the
device.
Indicates important information that helps you make better use of your device.
• Click to edit the corresponding entry.
• Click to delete the corresponding entry.
• Click to enable or disable the corresponding entry.
• Click to view more information about items on the page.
*Use of MU-MIMO requires clients to also support MU-MIMO.
1
More Info
• The latest software, management app and utility can be found at Download Center at
https://www.tp-link.com/support.
• The Quick Installation Guide can be found where you find this guide or inside the
package of the router.
• Specifications can be found on the product page at https://www.tp-link.com.
• A TP-Link Community is provided for you to discuss our products at
https://community.tp-link.com.
• Our Technical Support contact information can be found at the Contact Technical
Support page at https://www.tp-link.com/support.
2
Chapter 1
Get to Know About Your
Router
This chapter introduces what the router can do and shows its appearance.
It chapter contains the following sections:
• Product Overview
• Appearance
Chapter 1
Get to Know About Your Router
1. 1. Product Overview
Enjoy internet with the dual-band Wi-Fi and 4 fast LAN ports. Equipped with 4 omnidirectional antennas, Archer C54 generates a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi across your house and a
fast 5 GHz Wi-Fi, letting the whole family enjoy reliable Wi-Fi on every device.
Moreover, it is simple and convenient to set up and use the TP-Link router due to its
intuitive web interface and the powerful Tether app.
1. 2. Appearance
1. 2. 1. Top Panel
The router’s LEDs (view from left to right) are located on the front. You can check the
router’s working status by following the LED Explanation table.
LED Explanation:
LEDStatusIndication
OnPower is on.
Blinking slowly:
(Power)
Blinking
OffPower is off.
The system is starting up or firmware upgrade is in progress.
Blinking quickly:
WPS connection is in progress.
4
Chapter 1
LEDStatusIndication
Get to Know About Your Router
(2.4GHz
Wireless)
(5GHz
Wireless)
(LAN)
(Internet)
OnThe 2.4GHz wireless band is enabled.
OffThe 2.4GHz wireless band is disabled.
OnThe 5GHz wireless band is enabled.
OffThe 5GHz wireless band is disabled.
On
OffNo powered-on device is connected to the router’s LAN port.
Green On
Orange OnThe WAN port is connected, but internet is not available.
Off
At least one powered-on device is connected to the router’s LAN
port.
Router Mode: Internet is available.
Access Point Mode: The WAN port is connected.
Range Extender Mode: The router is connected to the host network.
Router Mode: The WAN port is not connected.
Access Point Mode: The WAN port is not connected.
Range Extender Mode: The router is not connected to the host
network.
1. 2. 2. The Back Panel
The following parts (view from left to right) are located on the back panel.
Button and Port Explanation
ItemDescription
Power PortFor connecting the router to a power socket via the provided power adapter.
WAN PortFor connecting to a DSL/Cable modem, or an Ethernet jack.
LAN Ports (1/2/3/4)For connecting your PC or other wired devices to the router.
Press the button for 1 second, and immediately press the WPS button on
WPS/RESET Button
your client to start the WPS process.
Press and hold the button until all LEDs turn off to reset the router to its
factory default settings.
Antennas
Used for wireless operation and data transmit. Upright them for the best
Wi-Fi performance.
5
Chapter 1
Get to Know About Your Router
1. 2. 3. The Bottom
You can find the product label at the bottom of the router, then use default information
on it to connect to the router.
Note:
1. Use the default network names (SSIDs) and password to join the networks. Or scan the QR code to join the preset
2.4 GHz network directly.
2. Internet is not available until network setup completed.
6
Chapter 2
Connect to the Internet
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Position Your Router
• Connect to the Internet
Chapter 2
80
14
1. 2
3
A
A(2/ 1)
D
NOTE:
4.87<D<10.37mm
H
H<3mm
Connect to the Internet
2. 1. Position Your Router
With the router, you can access your network from anywhere within the wireless network
coverage. However, the wireless signal strength and coverage vary depending on the
actual environment of your router. Many obstacles may limit the range of the wireless
signal, for example, concrete structures or thick walls.
For your security and best Wi-Fi performance, please:
• Do NOT locate the router in a place where it will be exposed to moisture or excessive
heat.
• Keep away from the strong electromagnetic radiation and the device of
electromagnetic sensitive.
• Place the router in a location where it can be connected to the various devices as
well as to a power source.
• Make sure the cables and power cord are safely placed out of the way to avoid a
tripping hazard.
Generally, the router is placed on a horizontal surface, such as on a shelf or desktop.
The device also can be mounted on the wall as shown in the following figure.
Note:
The diameter of the screw, 4.87mm<D<10.37mm, and the distance of two screws is 80mm. The screw that project from
the wall need around 4mm based, and the length of the screw need to be at least 20mm to withstand the weight of the
product.
8
Chapter 2
Connect to the Internet
2. 2. Connect to the Internet
The Router provides three working modes: Wireless Router, Range Extender and Access
Point. You can choose the mode to better suit your network needs and follow the guide
to complete the configuration.
2. 2. 1. Wireless Router Mode
1. Follow the steps below to connect your router.
If your internet connection is through an Ethernet cable from the wall instead of through
a DSL / Cable / Satellite modem, connect the Ethernet cable directly to the router’s
WAN port, and then follow Step 4 and 5 to complete the hardware connection.
Important
Unplug your modem, and remove
the backup battery if it has one.
Power adapter
Connect the powered-o modem to the
router’s WAN port via an Ethernet cable.
Connect the power adapter to the router.
Router
Modem
Connect to the internet
Connect to the power socket
Power on the modem and then wait about 2 minutes for it to restart.
Verify that the LED turns solid on before continuing.
1 ) Power off the modem, and remove the backup battery if it has one.
2 ) Connect the powered-off modem to the router’s WAN port with an Ethernet
cable.
3 ) Turn on the modem, and then wait about 2 minutes for it to restart.
4 ) Connect the power adapter to the router.
5 ) Verify that the internet LED turns solid before continuing with the configuration.
2. Connect your computer to the router.
• Method 1: Wired
Turn off the Wi-Fi on your computer and connect your computer to the router’s
LAN port.
9
Chapter 2
Connections are available
Wireless Network Connection
Connect to the Internet
• Method 2: Wireless
1 ) Connect your device to the router’s Wi-Fi using the SSID (network name) and
Wireless Password printed on the label at the bottom of the router.
2 ) Click the network icon of your computer or go to Wi-Fi Settings of your smart
device, and then select the SSID to join the network.
Note: If you are using a smart device, you can also scan the QR code to join the preset 2.4 GHz network
directly.
Smart DeviceComputer
Wi-Fi
TP-Link_XXXX
Connect automaticallyConnect
OR
< Settings
Wi-Fi
CHOOSE A NETWORK...
TP-Link_XXXX
Other...
• Method 3: Use the WPS button
Wireless devices that support WPS, including Android phones, tablets, most USB
network cards, can be connected to your router through this method.
Note:
• WPS is not supported by iOS devices.
• The WPS function cannot be configured if the wireless function of the router is disabled. Also, the WPS function
will be disabled if your wireless encryption is WEP. Please make sure the wireless function is enabled and is
configured with the appropriate encryption before configuring the WPS.
1 ) Tab the WPS icon on the device’s screen. Here we take an Android phone as an
example.
3. Enter http://tplinkwifi.net in the address bar of a web browser. Create a password
2 ) Immediately press the WPS button on your router.
Close to
to log in.
WLAN
On
TP-Link
HomeNetwork
Oce
TP-Link_123
TP-Link_ABC
MyHome
Test
10
Chapter 2
Connect to the Internet
Note:
If the above screen does not pop-up, it means that your IE Web-browser has been set to a proxy. Go to menu Tools
> Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings, in the screen that appears, untick the Using Proxy checkbox,
and click OK.
4. Follow the Quick Setup to set up the internet connection.
5. Enjoy! For wireless devices, you may have to reconnect to the wireless network if you
have customized the SSID (wireless name) and password during the configuration.
2. 2. 2. Range Extender Mode
This mode boosts your home wireless coverage.
1. Connect the power adapter to the router.
2. Connect a computer to the router via an Ethernet cable or wirelessly by using the
SSID (wireless name) and password printed on the bottom label of the router.
3. Enter http://tplinkwifi.net in the address bar of a web browser. Create a password
to log in.
11
Chapter 2
DevicesHost RouterRouter
DevicesRouterWired Router
Ethernet2Internet
Connect to the Internet
4. Click Change Mode in the top right corner and select Range ExtenderMode. Wait
for the router to reboot.
5. Follow the Quick Setup to set up the internet connection.
6. Relocate: Place the router between your host router and the Wi-Fi dead zone. The
location you choose must be within the range of your existing host network.
Extended NetworkHost Network
7. Enjoy! You can customize the SSID and password of the extended network.
2. 2. 3. Access Point Mode
This mode transforms your existing wired network to a wireless network.
Ethernet4Ethernet3Ethernet1Ethernet2Internet
1. Connect the power adapter to the router.
12
Chapter 2
Connect to the Internet
2. Connect the router to your wired host router’s Ethernet port via an Ethernet cable
as shown above.
3. Connect a computer to the router via an Ethernet cable or wirelessly by using the
SSID (network name) and password printed on the bottom label of the router.
4. Enter http://tplinkwifi.net in the address bar of a web browser. Create a password
to log in.
Note:
If the above screen does not pop-up, it means that your IE Web-browser has been set to a proxy. Go to menu Tools
> Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings, in the screen that appears, untick the Using Proxy checkbox,
and click OK.
5. Click Change Mode in the top right corner and select Access PointMode. Wait for
the router to reboot.
6. Follow the Quick Setup to set up the internet connection.
7. Enjoy! Connect to the wireless network by using the SSID (network name) and
password of the router.
13
Chapter 3
Log In to the Router
This chapter introduces how to log in to the web management page of the router.
Chapter 3
Log In to the Router
With the web-based utility, it is easy to configure and manage the router. The webbased utility can be used on any Windows, Macintosh or UNIX OS with a Web browser,
such as Microsoft the Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Apple Safari.
Follow the steps below to log in to your router.
1. Set up the TCP/IP Protocol in Obtain an IP address automatically mode on your
computer.
2. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router.
Note:
If the login window does not appear, please refer to the FAQ section.
15
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in
Wireless Router Mode
This chapter presents how to configure the various features of the router working as a
wireless router.
It contains the following sections:
• Operation Mode
• Network
• Wireless
• NAT Forwarding
• Parental Controls
• QoS
• Security
• IPv6
• System
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in Wireless Router Mode
4. 1. Operation Mode
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Operation Mode.
3. Select the working mode as needed and click SAV E.
4. 2. Network
4. 2. 1. Status
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > Status. You can view the current status information of
the router.
17
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in Wireless Router Mode
• Internet - This field displays the current settings of the internet, and you can configure
them on the Advanced > Network > Internet page.
• Status - Indicates whether the router has been connected to the internet.
• Internet Connection Type - Indicates the way in which your router is connected
to the internet.
• IP Address - The WAN IP address of the router.
• Subnet Mask - The subnet mask associated with the WAN IP address.
• Default Gateway - The Gateway currently used is shown here. When you use
Dynamic IP as the internet connection type, click Renew or Release here to
obtain new IP parameters dynamically from the ISP or release them.
• Primary & Secondary DNS - The IP addresses of DNS (Domain Name System)
server.
18
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in Wireless Router Mode
• LAN - This field displays the current settings of the LAN, and you can configure them
on the Advanced > Network > LAN page.
• MAC Address - The physical address of the router.
• IP Address - The LAN IP address of the router.
• Subnet Mask - The subnet mask associated with the LAN IP address.
• DHCP Server - This field displays the current settings of DHCP (Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol) Server, and you can configure them on the Network > DHCP
Server page.
• DHCP Server - Indicates whether the DHCP server is enabled of disabled. It is
enabled by default and the router acts as a DHCP server.
• IP AddressPool - The IP address range for the DHCP server to assign IP
addresses.
• Dynamic DNS - This field displays the current settings of the Dynamic DNS (Domain
Name System), and you can configure them on the Advanced > Network > Dynamic
DNS page.
• Service Provider - The Dynamic DNS service provider you have signed up for.
• Host Name - The Domain Name you have entered in the Dynamic DNS page.
• Status - The status of the Dynamic DNS service conenction.
4. 2. 2. Internet
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > Internet.
3. Set up the internet connection and click SAV E.
Dynamic IP
If your ISP provides the DHCP service, please select Dynamic IP, and the router will
automatically get IP parameters from your ISP.
Click Renew to renew the IP parameters from your ISP.
Click Release to release the IP parameters.
19
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in Wireless Router Mode
• MTU Size - The normal MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) value for most Ethernet
networks is 1500 Bytes. It is not recommended that you change the default MTU size
unless required by your ISP.
• Host Name -This option specifies the name of the router.
• Get IP with Unicast DHCP - A few ISPs’ DHCP servers do support the broadcast applications.
If you cannot get the IP address normally, you can choose this option (it is rarely required).
Static IP
If your ISP provides a static or fixed IP address, subnet mask, default gateway and DNS
setting, please select Static IP.
20
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in Wireless Router Mode
• IP Address - Enter the IP address in dotted-decimal notation provided by your ISP.
• Subnet Mask - Enter the subnet mask in dotted-decimal notation provided by your
ISP. Normally 255.255.255.0 is used as the subnet mask.
• Default Gateway - Enter the gateway IP address in dotted-decimal notation provided
by your ISP.
• Primary/Secondary DNS - (Optional) Enter one or two DNS addresses in dotted-
decimal notation provided by your ISP.
• MTU Size - The normal MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) value for most Ethernet
networks is 1500 Bytes. It is not recommended that you change the default MTU size
unless required by your ISP.
PPPoE
If your ISP provides PPPoE connection, select PPPoE.
21
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in Wireless Router Mode
• User Name/Password - Enter the user name and password provided by your ISP.
These fields are case-sensitive.
• Secondary Connection - It’s available only for PPPoE connection. If your ISP provides
an extra connection type, select Dynamic IP or Static IP to activate the secondary
connection.
• MTU Size - The default MTU size is 1480 bytes. It is not recommended that you change
the default MTU size unless required by your ISP.
• Service Name - The service name should not be configured unless you are sure it is
necessary for your ISP. In most cases, leaving these fields blank will work.
• Access Concentrator Name - The access concentrator name should not be configured
unless you are sure it is necessary for your ISP. In most cases, leaving these fields
blank will work.
• Detect Online Interval - The router will detect Access Concentrator online at every
interval. The default value is 10. You can input the value between 0 and 120. The value
0 means no detect.
• IP Address - The default setting is to get an IP address dynamically from your ISP. If
your ISP does not automatically assign IP addresses to the router, please select Use
the Following IP Address and enter the IP address provided by your ISP in dotted-
decimal notation.
• DNS Address - The default setting is to get an IP address dynamically from your ISP.If
your ISP does not automatically assign DNS addresses to the router, please select Use
the Following DNS Addresses and enter the IP address in dotted-decimal notation of
your ISP’s primary DNS server. If a secondary DNS server address is available, enter
it as well.
• Connection Mode - Select an appropriate connection mode that determines how to
connect to the internet.
• Auto - In this mode, the internet connection reconnects automatically any it
gets disconnected.
• On Demand - In this mode, the internet connection will be terminared
automatically after a specified inactivity period (Max Idle Time) and be reestablished when you attempt to access the internet again.
• Time-based - In this mode, the internet connection is only established in a
specific timeframe. If this option is selected, enter the start time and end time.
Both are in HH:MM format.
• Manual - In this mode, the internet connection is controlled manually by clicking
the Connect/Disconnect button. This mode also supports the Max Idle Time
function as On Demand mode. Enter a maximum time (in minutes), the internet
connection can be inactive before it is terminated into the Max Idle Time. The
22
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in Wireless Router Mode
default value is 15 minutes. If you want the internet connection remains active
all the time, enter 0 (zero).
Note:
Sometimes the connection cannot be terminated although you have specified the Max Idle Time because some
applications are visiting the internet continually in the background.
L2TP
If your ISP provides L2TP connection, please select L2TP.
• Username/Password - Enter the username and password provided by your ISP. These
fields are case-sensitive.
• VPN Server IP/Domain Name - Enter the VPN server’s IP address or domain name
provided by your ISP.
• MTU Size - The default MTU size is “1460” bytes, which is usually fine. It is not
recommended that you change the default MTU Size unless required by your ISP.
• Connection Mode
• Auto - In this mode, the internet connection reconnects automatically any it
gets disconnected.
23
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in Wireless Router Mode
• On Demand - In this mode, the internet connection will be terminared
automatically after a specified inactivity period (Max Idle Time) and be reestablished when you attempt to access the internet again.
• Manual - In this mode, the internet connection is controlled manually by clicking
the Connect/Disconnect button. This mode also supports the Max Idle Time
function as On Demand mode. Enter a maximum time (in minutes), the internet
connection can be inactive before it is terminated into the Max Idle Time. The
default value is 15 minutes. If you want the internet connection remains active
all the time, enter 0 (zero).
Note:
Sometimes the connection cannot be terminated although you have specified the Max Idle Time because some
applications are visiting the internet continually in the background.
PPTP
If your ISP provides PPTP connection, please select PPTP.
• Username/Password - Enter the username and password provided by your ISP. These
fields are case-sensitive.
24
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in Wireless Router Mode
• VPN Server IP/Domain Name - Enter the VPN server’s IP address or domain name
provided by your ISP.
• MTU Size - The default MTU size is “1420” bytes, which is usually fine. It is not
recommended that you change the default MTU Size unless required by your ISP.
• Connection Mode
• Auto - In this mode, the internet connection reconnects automatically any it
gets disconnected.
• On Demand - In this mode, the internet connection will be terminared
automatically after a specified inactivity period (Max Idle Time) and be reestablished when you attempt to access the internet again.
• Manual - In this mode, the internet connection is controlled manually by clicking
the Connect/Disconnect button. This mode also supports the Max Idle Time
function as On Demand mode. Enter a maximum time (in minutes), the internet
connection can be inactive before it is terminated into the Max Idle Time. The
default value is 15 minutes. If you want the internet connection remains active
all the time, enter 0 (zero).
Note:
Sometimes the connection cannot be terminated although you have specified the Max Idle Time because some
applications are visiting the internet continually in the background.
4. 2. 3. MAC Clone
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > Internet and locate the MAC Clone section.
3. Configure the WAN MAC address and click SAVE .
• Use Default MAC Address - Do not change the default MAC address of your
router in case the ISP does not bind the assigned IP address to the MAC
address.
• Use Current MAC Address - Select to copy the current MAC address of the
computer that is connected to the router, in case the ISP binds the assigned IP
address to the MAC address.
25
Chapter 4
Configure the Router in Wireless Router Mode
• Use Custom MAC Address - Select if your ISP requires you to register the MAC
address and enter the correct MAC address in this field, in case the ISP binds
the assigned IP address to the specific MAC address.
Note:
• You can only use the MAC Address Clone function for PCs on the LAN.
• If you have changed the WAN MAC address when the WAN connection is PPPoE, it will not take effect until the
connection is re-established.
4. 2. 4. LAN
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > LAN.
3. Configure the IP parameters of the LAN and click SAVE .
• MAC Address - The physical address of the LAN ports. The value can not be changed.
• IP Address - Enter the IP address in dotted-decimal notation of your router (the default
one is 192.168.0.1).
• Subnet Mask - An address code that determines the size of the network. Normally
255.255.255.0 is used as the subnet mask.
Note:
• If you have changed the IP address, you must use the new IP address to log in.
• If the new IP address you set is not in the same subnet as the old one, the IP address pool in the DHCP Server will be
configured automatically, but the Virtual Server and DMZ Host will not take effect until they are re-configured.
4. 2. 5. IPTV
1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router.
2. Go to Advanced > Network > IPTV/VLAN.
3. Configure the WAN MAC address and click Save.
26
Loading...
+ 73 hidden pages
You need points to download manuals.
1 point = 1 manual.
You can buy points or you can get point for every manual you upload.