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:
What is Smart DHCP, and How does Smart DHCP work? Visit TP-Link Smart DHCP Makes Network Configuration Simple.
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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Given their firmware is running some form of Linux, disabling DHCP at startup is dead simple. It's just laziness and giving a big middle finger to your customers. Well, we hear you TP-Link! You're destroying brand value like crazy!
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The current beta firmware comes with the warning that "Smart DHCP" is re-enabled after power cycling the devices.
Since, as has been pointed out a number of times in this and other threads, the problem arises most often with the WPA Powerline adapters winning a boot race AFTER A POWER FAILURE affecting ALL network devices, the beta product in this state seems to have completely missed the point.
If the Smart DHCP returns after a power failure, then the problem still exists. I don't even see the point in "testing" the beta since it seems designed to fail. TP-Link still don't seem to understand the problem, which is bizarre for a company making network equipment.
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Is there any news when the new version of firmware is available with the configurable switch off function of the 'Smart DHCP'?
Currently I am not able to use TP-Link WPA8630P powerline adapter because it totally destroys the behaviour of my network if power outage occurs.
I took a while to investigate which component unintended behaviour causes so much problems. So, I am now looking forward to getting the the repaired version of firmware.
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Any news on the issue? I got the Version 2.1 (sticker on the back) from 8630P, and although I do net remember that I ever had problems with wrong IP addresses and/or no internet access, I saw recently in the log that DHCP turns on/off from time to time. The device is set up to dynamically receive the IP address from the router, and in he router the mac address from the TP-8630P is linked to a specific IP address.
Does this DHCP-related problem also exist for the version 2.1?
I own 2 sets, one TL-PA8030P Kit and one TL-WPA8630P Kit. Are all devices affected or only the one which offers WLAN?
Hey, TP-Link team: Selling a device which develops a life on its own and declares itself the DHCP server is a absolute no-go!
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No, this issue is already known for YEARS by TP-Link, still no solution. Don't know how it works out for your specific model. @Solla-topee is the TP-Link representative in here.
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Hey @Tschensy you could navigate to the first page of thread to lean more smart DHCP on wireless powerline unit.
PLC DHCP will turn on when there is no other DHCP server detected, that means if router is working fine, PLC DHCP should turn off.
We did get feedback of the issue on WPA8630P V2 (=V2.1) before, it is recommend double-check the Problem Description/ Phenomenon, and see if you need to upgrade the beta.
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@Pmalinko No update of the new firmware yet, we've forwarded your feedback to appreciated team, they are still working on the new beta firmware.
If there is any update, I will update on this thread in first time.
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Solla-topee wrote
PLC DHCP will turn on when there is no other DHCP server detected, that means if router is working fine, PLC DHCP should turn off.
Which as many people have reported is simply not true. It can take a router several minutes to come online after power outage. PLC DHCP simply CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A ROUTER BOOTING UP AND "NO OTHER DHCP SERVER DETECTED". The router IS working fine, still DLC DHCP starts acting as a DHCP server on its own.
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@Tschensy This only affects the WPA devices - the PowerLine only devices don't exhibit this behaviour.
I believe it is related to the web interface for configuring the WiFi - the thinking being that if there is currently no DHCP server on the network, the device decides to act as one in order to hand out IP settings to other devices on the network so they can get into the config interface.
IMHO this is an edge case that surely isn't worth the downside that many are reporting here. Rogue DHCP servers are a massive pain to deal with. That TP-Link decide to put a device onto *consumer* networks that acts like this is hard to understand.
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Hi all, you can try this python script that restarts the WPA adapter when an host on the other site of the network is not reachable.
It's a workaround that looks for the adapter via mac address, simulates a login and restarts it.
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