Setup Overview:

 

Main Router: TP-Link Archer AX12 (DHCP enabled – handles all routing)

 

Extender: TP-Link TL-WA850RE (DHCP disabled, set to Repeater mode)

 

Bridge Router: Another router set in Bridge mode (DHCP disabled)

 

Total Routers: 3

 

Client Devices: Android, iOS, IP Camera, TV, PCs, etc.

 

 

Problem Summary: Despite a seemingly proper setup with DHCP only active on the AX12, I'm facing frequent connectivity issues:

 

Phones and other devices sometimes show as connected with "Internet access" but cannot load anything (e.g., YouTube doesn't work).

 

In the Tether app, the AX12 always shows as “Online,” but connected clients are inconsistently displayed—only the extender and IP camera reliably show up. Phones and other devices appear as offline or randomly fluctuate.

 

Oddly, when connected via the TL-WA850RE extender, internet sometimes works without problems—even though its DHCP is disabled.

 

Restarting the network temporarily fixes everything, but after some time, the issues return.

 

A previous router I used (replaced now) didn't have these problems, so the issue likely started after changing to the current setup.

 

 

What I’ve Checked/Ensured:

 

Only one active DHCP server (AX12).

 

No IP conflicts, as MAC address-based IP reservations are used.

 

OFDMA, TWT, are enabled and Smart Connect is disabled on the AX12.

 

IPv6 is currently off(AX12 logs mention send request to server with ipv6 <null>—not sure if this matters). 

 

All routers and extenders are on the latest firmware.

 

 

Suspicions:

 

Some kind of DHCP lease or routing inconsistency.

 

Maybe the extender is somehow handling packets differently, allowing better connectivity?

 

Potential IPv6 misconfiguration? But this is turned off

 

 

 

Additional Notes (From Previous Troubleshooting):

 

My extender’s DHCP was accidentally on (auto mode) earlier, but I’ve now disabled it completely.

 

Sometimes phones don’t appear in the client list at all, even though they can access the router login page.

 

Smart Connect sometimes causes instability, especially when switching bands or access points. So I already turned it off

 

 

 

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Request:

 

I’d appreciate any insights or suggestions. Could it be:

 

Something with DHCP leases/timers?

 

IPv6-related problems?

 

A bug in AX12’s client/device handling?

 

Or possibly a broadcast/multicast issue between the devices?

 

 

Happy to provide logs, screenshots, or specific config if needed.