N300 doesn't see my Internet Connection

N300 doesn't see my Internet Connection

N300 doesn't see my Internet Connection
N300 doesn't see my Internet Connection
a week ago - last edited a week ago
Model: TL-WA850RE  
Hardware Version: V7
Firmware Version:

I bought this Extender in the hope I could connect to a device (model railway controller) that can only use an Ethernet cable. 

The problem is I'm using a Mobile Data Personal Hotspot on my android phone and the extender doesn't see it. It always asks for a Wi-Fi connection and obviously I don't have one.

Every other item in my household can see it. PC, notebook, printer, vacuum cleaner, various Amazon home devices and switches, TV, Smart monitor, PS5 console and so on ....

 

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#1
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Re:N300 doesn't see my Internet Connection-Solution
a week ago - last edited a week ago

  @Oldie49 

 

Hi,

 

Does the TL-WA850RE see any (neighboring) Wi-Fi networks at all?

 

If you create a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi hotspot on your PC or notebook, is the TL-WA850RE able to see it and establish a connection to it?
 

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Re:N300 doesn't see my Internet Connection-Solution
a week ago - last edited a week ago

  @woozle WPA2-Personal. I've also tried WPA2/WPA3-Personal and also 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz

I connected my NBN today and the extender worked fine but only after I used the WPS method on the router. It found the correct extender and worked fine. 

Tried again with the hotspot but no good. 

Anyway, at least I know it works as an extender so may be useful at a later date, but it is interesting just how much range I get from my phone. It covers three rooms easily.

 

PS. As I said earlier I bought this to use with a device that can only use an Ethernet connection. I ended up connecting it directly with my PC with an Ethernet cable. 

problem solved.

Thanks for the advice though.

 

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Re:N300 doesn't see my Internet Connection-Solution
a week ago - last edited a week ago

  @Oldie49 

 

Hi,

 

Does the TL-WA850RE see any (neighboring) Wi-Fi networks at all?

 

If you create a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi hotspot on your PC or notebook, is the TL-WA850RE able to see it and establish a connection to it?
 

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Re:N300 doesn't see my Internet Connection
a week ago

  @woozle Yes it does see neighbouring networks.  

When I create a hotspot on my Win 11 notebook it disconnects my phone hotspot shortly after and of course I get a message on Tether to maintain a connection. 

FWIW, I don't know if it matters but the only device Tether shows under Range Extender is RE800BE. 

I will be connecting to a proper NBN connection next week and will test further but the point of getting this type of device was to connect while using a phone hotspot. 

Once I have the NBN connection of course the Extender isn't required. Catch 22.

 

NB: My NBN can be paused/unpaused at any time so I use the cheaper hotspot for 95% of the time.

 

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Re:N300 doesn't see my Internet Connection
a week ago - last edited a week ago

  @Oldie49 

 

What are the settings of you phone hotspot?

In case you have set it to "WPA3 Personal" only, then make sure your TL-WA850RE doesn't have a very old firmware installed which doesn't support WPA3 yet.

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Re:N300 doesn't see my Internet Connection-Solution
a week ago - last edited a week ago

  @woozle WPA2-Personal. I've also tried WPA2/WPA3-Personal and also 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz

I connected my NBN today and the extender worked fine but only after I used the WPS method on the router. It found the correct extender and worked fine. 

Tried again with the hotspot but no good. 

Anyway, at least I know it works as an extender so may be useful at a later date, but it is interesting just how much range I get from my phone. It covers three rooms easily.

 

PS. As I said earlier I bought this to use with a device that can only use an Ethernet connection. I ended up connecting it directly with my PC with an Ethernet cable. 

problem solved.

Thanks for the advice though.

 

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