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TP-Link Archer 21 setup as Access Point showing clients that are on the main router

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TP-Link Archer 21 setup as Access Point showing clients that are on the main router

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TP-Link Archer 21 setup as Access Point showing clients that are on the main router
TP-Link Archer 21 setup as Access Point showing clients that are on the main router
2025-07-22 18:46:00
Tags: #Access Point Mode
Model: Archer AX21  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version: 1.2.1 Build 20240809 rel.75559(5553)

I have this router set up as an access point in order to attach a backup drive to the USB port.  The wireless function is turned off. 

 

When I look at this router's web page it shows clients connected via ethernet that are not connected to this router.  The clients in question are connected wirelessly to my main router. 

 

Why is it doing this?  Is this normal?

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3 Reply
Re:TP-Link Archer 21 setup as Access Point showing clients that are on the main router
2025-07-24 10:48:32

Hello @fmmobley ,

Welcome to our community.

 

 

May I confirm whether some wireless devices connected to the main router are displayed as wired devices on the AX21? Does it affect the network operation of these devices?

Please reboot the whole system to refresh the network.

Please compare the Mac address of the client list on the main router and the client list of the AX21 to confirm that they are the same devices.

If possible, please also take a screenshot and send it here for us to compare.

Welcome to Our Community！ Check Out the Latest Posts: △New Firmware for Archer BE400 V1 to Support IPv6 VPN, Wake On LAN, and More △New Firmware for Archer BE800 V1 to Support VPN Merge, EasyMesh Guest/IoT Network Extend, and More △Enhanced EasyMesh Support with Extended Guest/IoT/MLO Networking and Advanced Features for BE550 V2 △New Firmware for Archer BE900 V2 to Support Multi-WAN, DoH/DoT, EasyMesh in AP Mode and More If you found the post or response helpful, click Helpful. If an answer solves your problem, click Recommended Solution so that others can benefit from it.
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Re:TP-Link Archer 21 setup as Access Point showing clients that are on the main router
2025-07-27 05:30:26

  @Joseph-TP 

 

Yes you have it right, some wireless devices connected to the main router are displayed as wired devices on the AX21. 

 

It does not seem to affect the network operation of these devices. 

 

I rebooted my main router and the AX21 access point router. After doing this I displayed the connected devices on both routers. See attached pics.

 

AX21 screenshot

 

Main router screenshot

 

The AX21 router shows six connected devices.

One is the main router (Xfinity XB8). I'm assuming this is supposed to be there. 

One is my Tablo device, which is the only device actually connected via Ethernet

The other four are shown as being connected via Ethernet, but they are not. 

 

The main router shows 26 connected devices. You can see the four that are actually wirelessly connected. The Mac addresses are the same. 

 

I just checked back, now there are 10 devices showing as connected to the AX21. Mac addresses check out. 

 

Any ideas? Should I just not worry about this situation? 

 

Thanks for your interest. 

 

 

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#3
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Re:TP-Link Archer 21 setup as Access Point showing clients that are on the main router
2025-07-29 09:22:49

Hello@fmmobley ,

Thank you for getting back to me.

 

Please refer to the FAQ below to collect backup files and App logs of the router:

How to create and restore from a backup file on your TP-Link Router

How to collect system log of Tether App

Then email the logs and backup files to local email support, attaching [Forum ID 833690] and details, and we will have a dedicated person to assist in analysis and follow-up.

Welcome to Our Community！ Check Out the Latest Posts: △New Firmware for Archer BE400 V1 to Support IPv6 VPN, Wake On LAN, and More △New Firmware for Archer BE800 V1 to Support VPN Merge, EasyMesh Guest/IoT Network Extend, and More △Enhanced EasyMesh Support with Extended Guest/IoT/MLO Networking and Advanced Features for BE550 V2 △New Firmware for Archer BE900 V2 to Support Multi-WAN, DoH/DoT, EasyMesh in AP Mode and More If you found the post or response helpful, click Helpful. If an answer solves your problem, click Recommended Solution so that others can benefit from it.
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