How to know when a Powerline is working/not working

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › How to know when a Powerline is working/not working

jacksonteoh91

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#150206 15-Jul-2014 09:33

Hey guys,

Just got the powerline today and I tried plugging it in (one to the router downstairs and the other to my laptop in my room upstairs) and pressing the button so they sync and they did sync, so that's cool.

I have a TP-Link router and a TP-Link Powerline model TP-PA211.

Now I don't know if it is working or not. Everything looks the same, I still get disconnections. Also do I connect via LAN or via wireless network? Does it still use the same wireless network connection? Tutorials always tell you how to plug it up but never tell you what happens on the computer screen.

So... I don't know... right now I think I just wasted $80 on this thing.

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timmmay

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#1089129 15-Jul-2014 10:19

It should be straightforward. Plug an ethernet cable between the router and the first powerline adapter, then plug your computer into the second powerline adapter using another ethernet cable. Turn off wireless.

andrewNZ

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#1089139 15-Jul-2014 10:32

jacksonteoh91: Oh I see... so it connects like a LAN?

I can't find the LAN option in my "Change Adapter Settings" though.

Yes powerline just creates a LAN connection over your power cables, and gives you an ethernet port at each adapter. Treat it like an ethernet cable.

Oblivian

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#1089156 15-Jul-2014 11:06

jacksonteoh91:
andrewNZ:
jacksonteoh91: Oh I see... so it connects like a LAN?

I can't find the LAN option in my "Change Adapter Settings" though.

Yes powerline just creates a LAN connection over your power cables, and gives you an ethernet port at each adapter. Treat it like an ethernet cable.

Thanks! Now this is another problem I found. There isn't an option for me to change to Ethernet cable on the "Change Adaptor Settings" window. :S

Stop looking. You won't find one.

They are different entities. 1 Wired Device, 1 Wireless chipset. Work independently and generally 'always-on'.

They can however conflict if you are on wireless, while cable used at the same time. Hence the suggestions to turn wifi off. Your network port is always-live, awaiting a cable with active remote end to be connected. If on a laptop there will be hot key/button to disable wireless. Toggle this, and plug in cable. Ta-da. Lights.

jacksonteoh91

23 posts

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#1089180 15-Jul-2014 12:00

AHH!!! I got it!

OMG! Finally! After 3 years of crap internet in my room. Finally... I am so touched.

What I needed all this time was to get the ethernet driver from the computer manufacturer's website. Everything else was fine. I was just missing the Ethernet driver.

Thanks for the help and putting up with me, guys! I really appreciate it!