Set Up a TP-Link RE580D AC1900 WiFi Repeater (Wifi Protected Setup)

In This Guide

You'll Learn:

• How to set up and position your TP-Link range extender.

You'll Need:

• A wireless router that broadcasts Wi-Fi already set up and working properly.
• Your router to have a WPS button for the easy setup method.
• A computer or mobile device for the regular setup method.
• A mobile device for the app setup method.
• Your home network's Wi-Fi credentials:
• Wi-Fi network name (SSID),
• Wi-Fi password (security key).

1 Setup Prep

1. Plug the range extender into a power outlet located within a few feet of the wireless router you wish to extend.
2. Press the power button on the rear of the range extender to turn it on.
   
3. When the power light on the front of the range extender turns solid blue, the device is ready to be set up.
   

2 Setup Methods

There are three ways to get your TP-Link range extender set up for the first time:

Wi-Fi Protected Setup

This is an easy setup method in which all you have to do is press the WPS button on your router, then press the same button on your range extender, and they will exchange information and connect to one another automatically.

Web Interface Setup

This is a standard guided setup method that requires the use of a web browser on a computer or mobile device. This process involves selecting the Wi-Fi network you wish to extend, and providing the Wi-Fi password manually. The upside to this process is that it offers more customization options for your new extended network than the WPS method does.

Mobile App Setup

This is a guided setup method similar to the web interface setup method but requires you to use the TP-Link Tether app on your mobile device instead of using a web browser.

This process also involves selecting the Wi-Fi network you wish to extend, and providing the Wi-Fi password manually.

3 WPS Setup

On Your Wireless Router

1. Locate and press the WPS button on your wireless router. It may be labeled with the symbol depicted below or it may simply say WPS.
   
   

   Depending on the brand and model, your wireless router may have an indicator light that turns on when the WPS button is pressed.

On Your Range Extender

2. Press the WPS button labeled RE on the rear of the range extender within two minutes.
   
3. The Wi-Fi status light will start flashing blue meaning it's connecting to the router. Once connected it will turn solid blue.
   

   By default, the range extender will use the same Wi-Fi network name and Wi-Fi password that are set on the wireless router.

   Wi-Fi Status

   Solid Blue

   Connected to wireless router with excellent signal.

   Solid Orange

   Connected to wireless router with weak signal.

   Blinking Blue

   WPS connection is being established.

   Off

   Not connected to wireless router.
4. If you are connecting the range extender to a dual-band wireless router with both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks enabled but if only one of the two band indicator lights turns solid blue on your range extender, repeat the same process above to connect to the other band as well.
   

   2.4GHz Band

   Solid Blue

   Connected to 2.4GHz wireless network.

   Off

   Not connected to 2.4GHz wireless network.

   5GHz Band

   Solid Blue

   Connected to 5GHz wireless network.

   Off

   Not connected to 5GHz wireless network.

4 Find Optimal Position

The purpose of a Wi-Fi range extender is to expand the Wi-Fi coverage in your home, by capturing the signal from your wireless router and expanding it further. To accomplish this, you need to place the range extender within the existing coverage area of your wireless router. However, to maintain an excellent wireless signal for your Wi-Fi devices, the range extender needs to be positioned within optimal distance from the wireless router. Here's how to accomplish this:

1. Plug your range extender into an available power outlet in the area you'd like to expand your home's Wi-Fi coverage to.
2. Check the Wi-Fi status light on the front of the range extender:
   
   Solid Blue

   Connected to wireless router with excellent signal.

   Solid Orange

   Connected to wireless router with weak signal.

   Off

   Not connected to wireless router.
3. If the status indicator light shows a weak signal, plug the range extender into a power outlet that's a bit closer to your wireless router.
   
4. Repeat this process until the range extender indicates an excellent signal.