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M4 will only connect to internet via existing router, not direct to modem

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M4 will only connect to internet via existing router, not direct to modem

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M4 will only connect to internet via existing router, not direct to modem
M4 will only connect to internet via existing router, not direct to modem
2020-03-09 21:55:57 - last edited 2020-03-09 22:03:40
Model: Deco M4  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version: Latest

I just purchased a pair for M4's to replace my old Archer C2.

 

If I connect the M4 directly to the fibre modem, setup will fail at the "checking internet connection" step (app reports no internet connection, red light on M4).

 

If I connect the M4 to the C2, and the C2 to the modem, then the internet works just fine. Both the M4 and C2 correctly default to a very standard dynamic IP setup. No credentials are required by the ISP.

 

Things I have tried:

  • Updating M4 firmware to latest version.
  • Swapping to the other M4 unit.
  • Selecting "Skip this step" when the internet connection check fails, and manually attempting to swap the DNS server to 8.8.8.8. At first I was unable to perform this step (all the WAN options were blank and uneditable), but I've since managed to change this by accessing the setting while the M4 is connected to the C2, then reconnecting the M4 to the modem. No change.
  • Using the MAC spoofing feature to match the address of the C2, just in case the modem or ISP cared about that. No change. It's possible this feature does not work the way I expect it to?
  • Different Ethernet cables. No change.
  • Different power-on orders for the various components. Doesn't matter if the router is powered on and stable before the M4, or after, or both at the same time.

 

I spent several hours on this last night, and am kinda running out of things to try here. Any thoughts?

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Re:M4 will only connect to internet via existing router, not direct to modem
2020-03-10 03:30:50

@Toxothrix 

 

Connect your computer to the modem directly, bypass the Deco M4 and Archer C2, then please verify whether you can access internet. 

 

If it works well, please connect this computer back to the Deco and go to advanced-Mac clone page to clone this PC's MAC address.

Note: You can connect the Deco M4 to the C2 first to clone the MAC address, then you can connect it directly to the modem.

 

May it help. 

Nice to Meet You in Our TP-Link Community. Check Out the Latest Posts: Connect TP-Link Archer BE550 to Germany's DS-Lite (Dual Stack Lite) Internet via WAN Archer GE550 - BE9300 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router EasyMesh Is Available When Wi-Fi Routers Work in AP Mode as A Controller. Archer AX55V2 Supports WireGuard VPN, EasyMesh Ethernet Backhaul, IoT Network, Speed Limit,and More If you found a post or response helpful, please click Helpful (arrow pointing upward icon). If you are the author of a topic, remember to mark a helpful reply as the "Recommended Solution" (star icon) so that others can benefit from it.
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Re:M4 will only connect to internet via existing router, not direct to modem
2020-03-10 21:04:36

@Kevin_Z 

 

Connecting my computer directly to the modem did not initially work (no internet), but when I changed the MAC address to that of the router it did begin to work. So that would imply there is some MAC filtering going on.

 

However, when I switched on "MAC Clone" on the M4, and used the same MAC address as the router, the M4 did not connect to the internet. I'm not sure why the MAC spoofing worked for the PC, but not the M4.

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Re:M4 will only connect to internet via existing router, not direct to modem
2020-03-11 02:43:09

@Toxothrix 

 

Thanks for the reply. 

 

It seems that the MAC filtering at ISP's end limits the internet access. Cause cloning MAC address does not help, you can give a call to your ISP and ask them to update the MAC address they have bound to your account. 

 

Then it will work fine. 

Nice to Meet You in Our TP-Link Community. Check Out the Latest Posts: Connect TP-Link Archer BE550 to Germany's DS-Lite (Dual Stack Lite) Internet via WAN Archer GE550 - BE9300 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router EasyMesh Is Available When Wi-Fi Routers Work in AP Mode as A Controller. Archer AX55V2 Supports WireGuard VPN, EasyMesh Ethernet Backhaul, IoT Network, Speed Limit,and More If you found a post or response helpful, please click Helpful (arrow pointing upward icon). If you are the author of a topic, remember to mark a helpful reply as the "Recommended Solution" (star icon) so that others can benefit from it.
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