Guidelines How to Use the Forum Effectively **Read Before You Post**
Hi, if you are new to the forum, we would love to show you how to use our forum and make more fruitful results from the forum.
Contents:
1. Community and Forum Guidelines.
2. How to use the search feature on the forum
3. How to find out the latest beta or pre-release software, and what is the purpose of beta/pre-release software?
4. How to report an issue properly or how to start a new thread and get an in-time discussion
5. How to use the filter feature to find the related posts
6. How to self-help before someone else approaches you
How to
1. Community and Forum Guidelines.
If you are new to this forum, please make sure you read the guidelines before you start a thread.
Yes, some are very common guidelines on other communities or Reddit you might see. It applies here as well, so if you are familiar with this, you can skip it.
Guidelines TP-Link Community Forum Guidelines
2. How to use the search feature on the forum
Click the magnifier icon 
next to your profile and search for the keywords.
3. How to find out the latest beta or pre-release software, and what is the purpose of beta/pre-release software?
Introducing TP-Link Early Access Program
The beta/pre-release software provides you with a way to get early access to our firmware. With the beta/pre-release software, you can get some new features and test them out. If you have any issues experienced on the beta/pre-release software, you can also report it in the thread and our moderators will follow them up. It provides a way for you to taste the new features and feedback on its performance and stability.
If you would like to join the beta program test out the new features and look forward to getting some issues fixed, you can go to the different categories. In different categories, you can find different device types.
(Read the Beta Test Agreement before you try the beta)
Generic steps for finding the beta/pre-release software:
Click the Wi-Fi Routers.
Find the pinned thread.
Or you can use the filter on your left screen to find out the Early Access label or Beta Software label.
4. How to report an issue properly or how to start a new thread and get an in-time discussion
If you are reporting an issue, please make sure you report it properly in your new thread.
0. Search keywords to find related posts before you start your own.
1. Be clear about the title. Your thread title should contain your device model number and issue. This can also help others to search and find related posts.
2. Place your thread in the correct category and use the proper Tag. If you place it wrong, we may miss it or reply late because it needs to be transferred to the correct category by the moderator. And you are supposed to use the proper tag. e.g. port forwarding is about the NAT, you should select NAT as the tag. If you cannot find a proper tag, that's fine. Just don't set the tag randomly.
3. Summarize your question instead of putting a long story and try to express it concisely. We don't blame you for the long story but you should place your point/question in the beginning and the end of your story.
4. Draw a diagram if you cannot use words to describe your network connection clearly.
5. Avoid repeated threads or spamming your question. If what you are looking for is archived, you can start a new thread and paste the archived thread link. If it is a known issue, it would be helpful for us to offer answers. Or if it is repeatedly brought up on the forum, we can make a tutorial or KB for you to explain the frequently asked concept/knowledge/guide.
6. Avoid sensitive words/topics. Try to steer clear of controversial or sensitive topics. If you have not performed a dialectic way to verify the issue you reported as a bug, avoid using the word "bug" to panic others.
7. In English. We are open to different languages but try to express it in English. We use the translator to understand you if you are not writing in English and we may have a hard time being on the same page.
5. How to use the filter feature to find the related posts
You will see different Tags in different product categories when you pick different models. You are supposed to set the proper Tag when you post. (See How To Use Tags)
When you want to look for a topic with a solution, you should use the tag Highlighted Thread with the feature you are looking for.
When you look for a related topic, please use the tag of the feature you are looking for to narrow down the search.
For the Label, it is generally the same. You should find most threads from moderators. Some very helpful threads from users will be marked as Knowledge Base for sharing purposes.
6. How to self-help before someone else approaches you
If you need instant help, contact technical support.
1. Read the User Guide/Datasheet and take time to read it.
2. Search the FAQ on the official website where we have guides and explanations.
3. Search on the forum to check if there is an existing solution or workaround. Use the tag/label, Stories, and Knowledge Base on the forum.
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