ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK

ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK

ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK
ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK
2024-11-21 00:35:18 - last edited 3 weeks ago
Model: Archer C7  
Hardware Version: V5
Firmware Version: 1.2.1 Build 20220715 rel.19099(5553)

Main router (connected to the ISP fibre device)

Archer AX73 V.20 on latest firmware 1.1.0 Build 20240323 rel.70541(5553)

Set on 192.168.0.1

 

Im trying to use WDS on a C7 to expand my 5ghz (or2.4ghz, if it works) coverage using WDS bridge:

Archer C7 V5.0

1.2.1 Build 20220715 rel.19099(5553)

Set on 192.168.0.2

Gateway set to 192.168.0.1

 

5ghz WDS Bridges won’t work while trying to connect to Archer AX73 5ghz SSIDs (main and guests SSIDs, tried with fixed channels and widths.)

 

Tried firmware upgrade to the latest. Full factory reset but still won’t work.

 

WDS works with 2.4ghz after a few tweaks and configurations. Can even setup its SSIDs to the same as my main router and it will work, but speeds will be limited to 2.4ghz speeds (kinda obvious). But I really would like to use the C7 as an extender/repeater for my main 5ghz wifi.

 

Going through all that trouble cause TPLINK won’t clearly and easily let buyers know that Easy/ONEMESH won’t work on router to router link. I bought the AX73 expecting that I could use it as my main router and place the C7v5 as onemesh. So If both onemesh and 5ghz WDS on the C7 is out of the question then Im left with a kinda expensive router as a backup, since I can’t use cables to connect it to the AX73. And I refuse to buy a TPLINK Easy/Onemesh extender just for that.

 

Any clues on why the 5ghz WDS won't work ?

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Re:ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK-Solution
3 weeks ago - last edited 3 weeks ago

For any future reference, solved this issue. Both routers should be on latest firmware. 

 

I did a full factory reset on the C7, redid all the configuration for the WDS access, and when I selected WDS mode 1, it connected on the 5ghz SSID and everything worked as intended a few seconds after I hit the save button. 

 

AX73 as main, PPOE internet, on router mode, 192.168.0.1, DHCP on. Fixed channels on both 2.5ghz and 5ghz SSIDS. Set password and security. 

 

C7 on router mode, no wires, dinamic, 192.168.0.2, DHCP off. Went to system parameters, WDS Bridges. For the 2.5ghz all I did was survey the correct SSID from the AX73, set the password and security as same of the AX73 SSID. 

 

For the 5ghz bridge, I had to survey the AX73 5ghz SSID, set the same password and security and set the WDS MODE to 1. Auto didn't work and didn't bother to test MODE 2 (try all modes if that's your case). 

 

Note that you can only use one kind of wds bridge, so choose the one you need the most (select the survey ssid 2.5ghz for higher coverage, 5ghz for speeds). In my case, I needed speed, so I set the 5ghz bridge so my wifi devices further away on the house will get better speeds. And in the case they connect with the 2.5ghz SSID of the C7, they'll have a better stability. 

 

After that, I've set the C7 SSIDs to use the same name of the AX 73 SSIDs. 

 

Now I have both TP-Link routers on the same network, one as main, other as 'repeater' on WDS 5ghz bride, can configure both using wired (my main PC) or wifi devices (phone, laptop). And saved myself a few bucks from not buying a easymesh repeater. 

 

 

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Re:ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK
2024-11-21 02:19:52

  @JULIANODCO85 

 

If it's about the mesh setup you can do the following:

Set C7 (OneMesh capable) as a main router and AX73 (Easymesh capable) as a satellite router connecting them by the WPS method.

This most probably would work and you can use the mesh if this setup suits your needs.

If this was helpful click on the arrow pointing upward to make it blue. If this solves your issue, click the star to make it blue and mark the post as a "Recommended Solution".
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Re:ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK
2024-11-21 06:00:04

  @terziyski 

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

I'd rather use the AX73 as my main since it's new and better speeds and such.

 

As of right now, I left the C7 in the box as a spare router. If i get any tip on how to get the 5ghz WDS going or TP-LINK change and let us make a router-router easy/onemesh network, ill use it. 

 

 

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Re:ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK
2024-11-21 07:55:07

Hi  @JULIANODCO85 

 

May I know, when you try to scan Archer AX73’s Wi-Fi on Archer C7, can you see AX73's 5G Wi-Fi normally?

If you can see it but failed to connect to it, please try to change the security type to the same, or change it to no security:

How to Change your Security Settings on your TP-Link Router (new UI)

If not, please check what channels the 5G bands of the two routers currently use? Try changing the channel to the same channel. The instructions for changing the channel are as follows:

Changing Channel and Channel Width on a TP-Link Router (new logo)

 

Thank you.

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Re:ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK
2024-11-21 21:51:51

  @Joseph-TP 

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

C7 can scan the 5ghz AX73 wifi normally. I've set the same security options (WPA2-PSK(AES). I can't be without security cause it's a very populated area. Same with channels (tried all lower ones and left on 48) on my tests, 5ghz WDS still won't work, only the 2.4ghz.

 

 

It's funny cause 2.4ghz WDS works flawlessly, can access both routers on the network, every PC and device. 

 

 

 

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Re:ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK
2024-11-22 08:32:05 - last edited 3 weeks ago

Hi  @JULIANODCO85 

 

It seems that the 5Ghz WDS function of Archer C7 may be faulty. If you still need a device to wirelessly extend the network of the main router Archer AX73, I think you can consider adding a device that supports Easymesh, like Archer C6, Archer AX12. Because Archer AX73 currently supports Easymesh feature (please update to the latest version of the firmware).

TP-Link EasyMesh Devices for Home

If you want to create Easymesh network, you can refer to: How to add a router to an EasyMesh network as a satellite device

Thank you.

 

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Re:ARCHER C7 V5 5GHZ WDS WITH AX73 WON'T WORK-Solution
3 weeks ago - last edited 3 weeks ago

For any future reference, solved this issue. Both routers should be on latest firmware. 

 

I did a full factory reset on the C7, redid all the configuration for the WDS access, and when I selected WDS mode 1, it connected on the 5ghz SSID and everything worked as intended a few seconds after I hit the save button. 

 

AX73 as main, PPOE internet, on router mode, 192.168.0.1, DHCP on. Fixed channels on both 2.5ghz and 5ghz SSIDS. Set password and security. 

 

C7 on router mode, no wires, dinamic, 192.168.0.2, DHCP off. Went to system parameters, WDS Bridges. For the 2.5ghz all I did was survey the correct SSID from the AX73, set the password and security as same of the AX73 SSID. 

 

For the 5ghz bridge, I had to survey the AX73 5ghz SSID, set the same password and security and set the WDS MODE to 1. Auto didn't work and didn't bother to test MODE 2 (try all modes if that's your case). 

 

Note that you can only use one kind of wds bridge, so choose the one you need the most (select the survey ssid 2.5ghz for higher coverage, 5ghz for speeds). In my case, I needed speed, so I set the 5ghz bridge so my wifi devices further away on the house will get better speeds. And in the case they connect with the 2.5ghz SSID of the C7, they'll have a better stability. 

 

After that, I've set the C7 SSIDs to use the same name of the AX 73 SSIDs. 

 

Now I have both TP-Link routers on the same network, one as main, other as 'repeater' on WDS 5ghz bride, can configure both using wired (my main PC) or wifi devices (phone, laptop). And saved myself a few bucks from not buying a easymesh repeater. 

 

 

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