How to configure "Client Mode" on TP-Link TL-WR802N

Introduction

We have upgraded our wireless system, and suddenly a few devices stopped working over WiFi. These are locked PCs that have TP-Link TL-WR802N (version 2.0) to connect a copper Ethernet client to the WiFi network. I was impressed with a router, except it still was not working, when followed vendor instructions. The user manual is very simple (and it should be): (1) Reset router to factory default, (2) Use step-by-step wizard to configure “client mode”, (3) Enjoy... Except it was not working. PC behind the router was not receiving DHCP, and end up with 169.x.x.x address.

Step 1 How to configure "Client Mode" on TP-Link TL-WR802N

How to configure "Client Mode" on TP-Link TL-WR802N, How to configure "Client Mode" on TP-Link TL-WR802N: step 1, image 1 of 1

Reset router to a factory (reset button for 5-10 seconds).

Edit

Step 2

Use PC to connect through WiFi to TP-LINK_xx SSID.

Edit

Step 3

In the browser open a page with IP address 192.169.0.1 (usually default gateway), and login using admin/admin

Edit

Step 4

How to configure "Client Mode" on TP-Link TL-WR802N: step 4, image 3 of 3

Go through setup steps: [Next] -> select “Client” mode -> [Next]
Select AP with SSID you want to use it with (if does not appear, refresh it). Then hit [Next]
Confirm SSID, specify security settings, shared key if needed, etc. -> [Next]

Edit

Step 5

Select type: “Static IP”
Configure static IP address within your wireless network (preferably outside your DHCP scope)
Configure subnet mask as needed
Make sure “DHCP Server” is “Enabled”
[Next] -> Reboot

Edit

Step 6

After this you need to connect another PC to the Ethernet port. It should get IP address from your wireless network, but it will be unable to communicate to the rest of the network, only to the router.
*** Generally that’s where “User Manual” stops...

Edit

Step 7

Go to the browser and connect to IP address of the router (which you just configured above). Login with admin/admin

Edit

Step 8

Go to “Network” section, and configure “Gateway” as the “default gateway” of your WiFi network (after wizard it comes as a TP-Link router address)
Hit “Save” and router will reboot.
After reboot you will be able to access router from either LAN or locally connected PC (local connection may be faster and more reliable).

Edit

Step 9

Login again (if needed), and now go to DHCP section
DHCP Server: Enabled
Start IP: <start IP address> End IP: <end IP address>
Gateway: <IP address of WiFi network gateway>
Domain: <your domain>
DNS: <your DNS servers>

Edit

Step 10

After this – disconnect Ethernet, power off router, then reboot PC (it may retain default route of the TP-Link router, better reboot it), and then connect Ethernet.
You will be connected to the WiFi network, repeat it a couple times to make sure the process is repeatable.

Edit