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Network Name is always set to "Unknown"

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Network Name is always set to "Unknown"

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Network Name is always set to "Unknown"
Network Name is always set to "Unknown"
2016-02-04 17:05:58
Model :

Hardware Version : Not Clear

Firmware Version : TL-PA4020PT KIT_V1_140208

ISP :

Hi everyone,

I´m new to this forum since I unfortunately have some issues with my new TL-PA4020PT Kit. Installed all 3 adapters as written in the manual and paired the adapters by pressing the "Pair" button. The Pairing LED lights (and of course the power LEDs) are on, so there should be a powerline connection enabled. I also downloaded and installed the latest version of the utility found on the homepage as well as the latest firmware version.

On the "Status" tab, there is my local device which is connected to my router via ethernet cable and on the "Network" tab I see my other 2 adapters (listed as Device 1 and Device 2). So every thing works fine so far. As I mentioned above, I used the pairing technology for all 3 adapters. The "Network Name" is now set to "Unknown" and not "HomePlugAV" which is the default one.

I tried to change this network name to my own network name (e.g. "PowerlineHome") by using the "Set all Devices´ Network Name" function. This worked perfectly...until I restart the utility tool: when executing the tool again, the network name shows again "Unknown" (and not "PowerlineHome"). Somehow the tool did not save this new configuration. I also tried resetting the adapters and re-configure them, but no way. When closing the tool and re-opening, the Network Name is again set to "Unknown".
This also happens when I tried to re-name my adapters. Again, after restarting the utility tool, they are listed as "Device 1" and "Device 2".
Strangely, other configurations like "Advanced QoS Setting - Simple Application mapping" are maintained and not resetted when starting the tool again.

This is frustrating since I am also not sure, If my powerline will be secured in this way.:mad:
Any help for this issues?

Thanks in advance!
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#1
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6 Reply
Re:Network Name is always set to "Unknown"
2021-07-18 23:31:54
I see the same thing with my adapter. The one that doesn't work and keeps as "Unknown" is a wpa4220 V5, the other is V4.
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#2
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Re:Network Name is always set to "Unknown"
2021-07-19 09:40:55

@cesarizu  Hello, 

 

When the network name become Unknown, does TL-WPA4220 still work fine at that time? 

May I know did you use tpPLC Utlity to set up Network name for TL-WPA4220 V5, but the name change back to Unknown? 

Here is an instruction to pair the powerline unit by setting the same network names for ALL the powerline devices :
https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/1616/ 

Can I have a photo of the issue, and also a link of the tpPLC Utility you've using? What is the OS of your computer, if on a different computer, does WPA4220 shows unknown as well, thank you in advance for confirming the details. 

Share Your Pet Story, Win Free Tapo Care. Smart Action 2.0 Explore and meet the next level home automation.
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#3
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Re:Network Name is always set to "Unknown"
2021-07-19 21:35:47

@Solla-topee

 

| When the network name become Unknown, does TL-WPA4220 still work fine at that time? 

 

It seems to be working fine at that moment, but it blocks after a few minutes, or hours sometimes. It responds to ping but not to http nor I can access it from the tpPLC app.


| May I know did you use tpPLC Utlity to set up Network name for TL-WPA4220 V5, but the name change back to Unknown?

 

Yes that happens every time. I cannot set a name for that device (or any other really)

 

| Here is an instruction to pair the powerline unit by setting the same network names for ALL the powerline devices :
https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/1616/ 

 

I cannot pair it with the other devices. I can pair my WPA4220 V4 just fine, but the V5 doesn't work. For the V5 pressing the button a few seconds doesn't make it blink, and when doing the other way around, the other device doesn't stops blinking. Pressing for 10 seconds sometimes makes it restart but not always.

 

| Can I have a photo of the issue, and also a link of the tpPLC Utility you've using? What is the OS of your computer, if on a different computer, does WPA4220 shows unknown as well, thank you in advance for confirming the details.

 

On the website it shows the following:

 

I'm using tpPLC from the android Play Store, and on windows I downloaded from the official tplink site at https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/download/tl-wpa4220/

 

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#4
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Re:Network Name is always set to "Unknown"
2021-07-20 03:52:20 - last edited 2021-07-20 04:22:34

@cesarizu  Hello, 

 

Thanks for the details, please confirm WPA4220 V5 is on the latest firmware (TL-WPA4220(EU)_V5_210305 for now ), and try a factory reset on WPA4220 V5 using tpPLC Utlity, later manually pair it to the network:

 

WPA4220 Firmware : https://www.tp-link.com/support/download/tl-wpa4220/#Firmware

 

Reset powerline Unit via tpPLC Utlity: 

https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/1612/  

 

Pair Manually: press Pair button only for 1 sec, Power Leds should be flashing on both powerline units in pairing process. ( if the Power Led does not blink, press it for 1 sec again)
When the Powerline Led or House Leds are on, the pairing process is done.

 

Also refer to this instruction to pair the powerline units/ add an extra powerline unit by Powerline Key: 
https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/faq/1615/

 

If WPA4220 is on the latest firmware, and does not repond to factory reset or manually pairing, that specific unit could be faulty, and it is recommend to contact retailer or local support to check warranty for it. 

Share Your Pet Story, Win Free Tapo Care. Smart Action 2.0 Explore and meet the next level home automation.
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#5
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Re:Network Name is always set to "Unknown"
2021-07-20 14:13:44

@Solla-topee I tried with the original 1.0.0 Build 200819 Rel.60695 and updated to 1.0.0 Build 210324 Rel.31439n (8583).

 

Factory reset works as expected, if I factory reset al units they work together. When I try to set any powerline name then the V5 just stops working like I described before.

 

Manual pairing does not work, V4 and the base unit pair, but the led on the V5 never blinks.

 

Adding the unit by key does work, but only with the default "Unknown" name on the V5 and 'HomePlugAV' on the V4.

 

When adding manually by key or setting the powerline name, the units continue to work as expected but Wi-Fi move stops working (it only works when factory reset and the powerline name is "Unknown").

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#6
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Re:Network Name is always set to "Unknown"
2021-07-21 02:53:03

@cesarizu  

For me WPA4220 V5 is partially faulty and more likely on the hardware, you may get a replacement from retailer if it is still in the warranty. 

You could try to customize wireless settings on tpPLC Utility, or look for the IP address for that WPA4220 V5 from router's DHCP client list, and login web UI to change wifi settings for it.  https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/1611/

Share Your Pet Story, Win Free Tapo Care. Smart Action 2.0 Explore and meet the next level home automation.
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#7
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