TOT TP-LINK TD854W modem - connect problems

[WorriedNoodle]

We've got a TOT 10mbps ADSL account and they provided us free with a TP-LINK TD854W modem that looks much like http://www.uppic.org/image-D062_51FD2273.jpg and is using firmware TD854W_2.0.0 Build 130206 Rel.01313.

Ever since using this modem we've always has issues connecting devices, indeed I cannot even access the admin features of the modem using the 192.168.1.1 address unless I am first to connect to it for some reason? Very often it might take several attempts or a modem restart to connect a third or more devices to this modem. It uses auto IP assignment.

We have a Billion modem from True in another place, and have none of the issues like above and it works seemlessly.

Is there something wrong with the TP-LINK TD854W modem by design or do we have a dud or in need of a firmware update?

I am also thinking of buying my own modem to replace it, but I don't know how to go about it and getting it to work with TOT. Would I need some configuration knowledge or could I just buy off shelf in a shop, plug it in and it will work?

* Or should we just call TOT and tell them to give a modem that works, if they have such a thing??

Appreciate any ideas thanks, as modems are not my forte.

[NeverSure]

I've never had TOT or that unit and I don't know, but a quick google look tells me that's a combo modem and router as I expected. The router had to be there somewhere for multiple devices to connect. You do have to connect to most routers by wire to log into them so expect that.

Before someone else gets here with specific knowledge of that unit, I'd unplug it for a full five minutes and shut everything else off. It can take a minute or two for a unit like that to reset. Remember the saying, always connect from the wall out. So first turn that unit back on and wait until its fully booted and then turn your other devices back on. That's not likely to fix the problem but there's some chance it would so always try the easiest and quickest first and this is it.

Edited June 17, 2015 by NeverSure

[Daffy D]

We got the same deal from TOT about a year ago only the modem/router was a different shape:-

Worked just fine.

Recently we changed to this model not because there was anything wrong with the TD854 just the new one had better WiFi range and a faster Mpbs.

Try pressing the reset button on your unit and running the installation disk again.

If you want to change your router/modem the information supplied by TOT should work, your phone number and @tothome

Hope this helps

[KittenKong]

Ever since using this modem we've always has issues connecting devices, indeed I cannot even access the admin features of the modem using the 192.168.1.1 address unless I am first to connect to it for some reason? Very often it might take several attempts or a modem restart to connect a third or more devices to this modem. It uses auto IP assignment.

Admin access over wifi is often turned off in the router settings by default, so that's worth checking. Dont really see why you should need to access the admin page at all often though.

If you have trouble connecting by wifi try changing the wifi channel on the router. Good channels to try first are 1, 6, 11 and 13. Failing those, try the other channels. If you dont need wifi "G" at all, try setting the router to only use "N" type rather than "N+G+B" which is usually the default. If your devices dont use "N" then try setting the router to only use "G".

Also worth changing the security type if changing channels doesn't help.

If your devices are Apple products then you probably need look no further for the cause of any wifi connection difficulties you may be having.

[WorriedNoodle]

Ok thanks guys. My modem/router is TP-LINK TD854W but looks like the photo in my fist post rather than Daffy's. They must have two different looking modems with same model name?

Yes, I can connect to 192.168.1.1. modem admin settings easier with cable, but I did need to restart modem before the web browser recognized address, but I can also do it by wifi sometimes as well after rebooting modem and logging straight in.

** Based on KK idea above (thanks) I've tried changing the channel to 11 from 8 it was on as I notice next door neighbor is on ch8 so maybe causing interference??

I cannot choose N type only - it's on pull down menu but wont activate for some reason(?), but all other combinations are allowed such as b,g,b+g,n (not allowed?), g+n and b+g+n. Currently its on b+g+n.

The security is WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK.

We have about 6 devices around home connecting, two are Windows 7 PCs and the others are all Android (kitkat) devices, no Apples. It's the Androids that have more connect issues. By this I mean they connect to the wifi router OK, but then may not get an external IP or access to internet- until we reboot modem. (Sorry if I didn't make the last point clear in my original post). Anyway lets see if the channel change helps.

[NeverSure]

It's the Androids that have more connect issues. By this I mean they connect to the wifi router OK, but then may not get an external IP or access to internet- until we reboot modem.

If the router is working properly you might try rebooting the android devices instead. If that works I'd be suspicious of power settings. All of my android devices are set to drop the internet connect after a certain amount of time to save battery.

Try with just one of them and see if power saver mode is enabled. If it is, disable it.

Everything is worth a try since this is happening only with android?

[KittenKong]

** Based on KK idea above (thanks) I've tried changing the channel to 11 from 8 it was on as I notice next door neighbor is on ch8 so maybe causing interference??

I cannot choose N type only - it's on pull down menu but wont activate for some reason(?), but all other combinations are allowed such as b,g,b+g,n (not allowed?), g+n and b+g+n. Currently its on b+g+n.

Strange. Try a few other wifi channels, starting with 1. I would try G only also.

[Digitalbanana]

Thanks for all the ideas guys. After a couple of days use it seems changing the channel helped a lot.