Question 1

Do you have to have a tp-link router to use this?

Accepted Answer

You do not need a tp-link router for it to work. Instructions tell you how to pare into your wi fi via your computer and then put it in a room where you have a weak wi fi signal and plug it in. All done.

Question 2

How far in distance will this extend my wifi?

Accepted Answer

My router is in my first floor office and the extender is in the master bedroom on the second floor, so about 50 feet from the office to the stairs, 10 feet up the stairs, and another 15 feet to the far side of the bedroom.  I use the Ethernet connection for a Roku player attached to a TV, and the wifi connection for my tablet or laptop.

Question 3

Can this be hard wired via Ethernet from my router to expand to dead zone in my house?

Accepted Answer

yes, you can set this up both as a repeater (wifi in and wifi out) and as an access point (ethernet in wifi out).

Repeater reduces the badidth to half, while on acces point you will have full bandwidth, but repeater is easy to setup (wps button press on both router and this). the access point setup is similiar but you need to run the wire between this and router

Question 4

I would like to use this device as a bridge to get a network connection from my wireless-only network to a wired-only device (basic BluRay player). Will it bridge the WiFi network out the RJ45 jack to a wired switch so I can plug in the wired-only device?

Accepted Answer

The answer is both yes and no. The TP-link device you are looking at has a maximum speed of 300 mbits/sec on a good day, and speed rapidly decreases with distance from the router. Without knowing additional details, it may or may not work satisfactorily because of the signal drop/fade. However, these devices are not bad, it's just the technology is not made for long distances. What I would consider and do use because it is a hybrid wired service is two (or more) units called Powerline devices. These are small boxes about the size of a pack of cigarettes that have standard AC plugs and an Ethernet jack on them. You need at least two of them to make it work. One is connected with a standard Ethernet cable and connected to one of the router ports. Then the unit is then plugged into a standard AC outlet. The other Powerline box is plugged in near your BluRay player, connected with an Ethernet cable, and plugged into the BluRay player. Once connected, your router will transmit the signals from the router out to the first Powerline box, then will transmit it through your dwelling's AC lines and the second Powerline will decode the signal from the first Powerline/router and send it through it's own circuitry, thus providing the signal to your BluRay player just like it was directly connected to your router. Summary - Router port to Powerline box via Ethernet cable, Powerline plugged into AC outlet...then second Powerline box plugged into AC outlet near BluRay player, and Ethernet cable plugged from second Powerline box plugged into BluRay player. Reliable and inexpensive method to avoid slow or non-existent Ethernet in a home.

Question 5

Can you configure ALL the features of this product without a smart phone?  That is, can I set it up via an ethernet port or some other "push button" method and then move the device to where I want it?

Accepted Answer

The initial setting is simple, without "Smart Phone".  Just using the reset buttons.  
I set mine and could relocated the receiving unit to a different electrical outlet.  The issue is that you may find a change in the transmittal speed.  This will depend on the relative location of the two outlets, the emitting and receiving, and if they're fed from the same leg in the electrical main circuit panel.
Hope that helps.

Question 6

Can I hook it up without access to the router? I live in a college dorm and need my phone to stop disconnecting all the time.

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can. The only thing what you need to know the SSID, passphrase and the encryption method of the network what you want to extend. But if you use your phone on the dorm's network,  you already have these information.

Question 7

My Dell Laptop used to connect to home WiFi fine. It was at a pawnshop for a few months, now won't connect to wifi or via ethernet to modem. I reinstalled windows & now works ethernet to modem but not in usable area. Will TP-LINK TL-WA855RE N300 Wi-Fi Wall Plug provide access without ethernet plug hooked into modem? Thank you!

Accepted Answer

I believe your laptop has a failed wifi adapter or has had it turned off by software or from the keyboard. Try the key combination of Fn and the function key that has antenna on it. If your internal adapter isn't working, you won't be able to connect wirelessly to anything.  I would recommend you buy a cheap USB wifi adapter.  The TP-Link is a range extender, not a wifi adapter.

Question 8

i want a range extender. do i just plug this in about half the distance from my wifi router or is there more to it?

Accepted Answer

Best case scenario - easy setup button works and you are up and running, what was once spotty wifi is now a great signal and in fact the whole house has better coverage.
Worst case - you have to download the app (or access through a laptop/desktop) and indicate your home network.  e.g. an apartment complex with 20 different wifi ids.

Question 9

What's the input voltage range? Looking to see if it'll take 220V.

Accepted Answer

100-240Vac 50/60Hz 0.3A Printed on the device.

Question 10

will the N 300 extender allow me to manage access to the internet with a password? we are extending to this area for equipment use only.

Accepted Answer

The device connects to your existing wifi network using your current wifi password.

Questions & Answers