User Guide AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router Archer AX73 © 2020 TP-Link 1910012856 REV1.0.
Contents About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chapter 1. Get to Know About Your Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1. 1. 1. 2. Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. 3. 2.Connect via the Router’s PIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 6. 4. 6. 3. 3.Push the WPS Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Advanced Wireless Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Chapter 7. Guest Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 7. 1. 7. 2.
Chapter 14. Customize Your Network Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 14. 1. 14. 2. 14. 3. 14. 4. 14. 5. Change the LAN Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Configure to Support IPTV Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Specify DHCP Server Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About This Guide This guide is a complement of Quick Installation Guide. The Quick Installation Guide instructs you on quick internet setup, and this guide provides details of each function and shows you the way to configure these functions appropriate to your needs. Note: Features available in the router may vary by model and software version. Router availability may also vary by region or ISP.
*Maximum wireless signal rates are the physical rates derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications.
Chapter 1 Get to Know About Your Router This chapter introduces what the router can do and shows its appearance.
Chapter 1 1. 1. Get to Know About Your Router Product Overview TP-Link AX router, with next-generation 802.11ax Wi-Fi Technology, achieves WiFi performance at its ultimate level. The revolutionary combination of OFDMA and 1024QAM improve throughput by 4 times and dramatically increase the whole network capacity and efficiency. It’s also backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
Chapter 1 Get to Know About Your Router Name Status (5 GHz Wireless) On The 5 GHz wireless band is enabled. Off The 5 GHz wireless band is disabled. Green On (Internet) (Ethernet) (USB) (WPS) 1. 2. 2. Orange On Indication Internet service is available. The router’s Internet port is connected, but the internet service is not available. Off The router’s Internet port is unplugged. On At least one powered-on device is connected to the router’s Ethernet port.
Chapter 1 Get to Know About Your Router Item Description WPS Button Press this WPS button, and immediately press the WPS button on your client device to start the WPS process. The LED of the router should change from blinking to solid on, indicating successful WPS connection. Wi-Fi Button Press and hold the Wi-Fi button for more than 2 seconds to turn on or off the wireless function of your router.
Chapter 2 Connect the Hardware This chapter contains the following sections: • Position Your Router • Connect Your Router
Chapter 2 2. 1. Connect the Hardware Position Your Router • The product should not be located in a place where it will be exposed to moisture or excessive heat. • Place the router in a location where it can be connected to multiple devices as well as to a power source. • Make sure the cables and power cord are safely placed out of the way so they do not create a tripping hazard. • The router can be placed on a shelf or desktop.
Chapter 2 Connect the Hardware 1 Internet 2 3 1. Connect the powered-off modem to the router’s WAN port with an Ethernet cable. 2. Turn on the modem, and then wait about 2 minutes for it to restart. 3. Connect the power adapter to the router and turn on the router. 4. Verify that the hardware connection is correct by checking the following LEDs. Power On 2.4 GHz On 5 GHz On Internet On 5. Connect your computer to the router.
Chapter 2 Connect the Hardware • Method 3: Use the WPS button Wireless devices that support WPS, including Android phones, tablets, and most USB network cards, can be connected to your router through this method. Note: • WPS is not supported by iOS devices. • The WPS function cannot be configured if the wireless function of the router is disabled. Also, the WPS function will be disabled if your wireless encryption is WEP.
Chapter 3 Log In to Your Router
Chapter 3 Log In to Your Router With a web-based utility, it is easy to configure and manage the router. The web-based utility can be used on any Windows, Mac OS or UNIX OS with a Web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Apple Safari. Follow the steps below to log in to your router. 1. Set up the TCP/IP Protocol in Obtain an IP address automatically mode on your computer. 2. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and create a login password for secure management purposes.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection This chapter introduces how to connect your router to the internet. The router is equipped with a web-based Quick Setup wizard. It has necessary ISP information built in, automates many of the steps and verifies that those steps have been successfully completed. Furthermore, you can also set up an IPv6 connection if your ISP provides IPv6 service.
Chapter 4 4. 1. Set Up Internet Connection Use Quick Setup Wizard The Quick Setup Wizard will guide you to set up your router. Tips: If you need the IPv6 internet connection, please refer to the section of Set Up an IPv6 Internet Connection. Follow the steps below to set up your router. 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router. 2.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection OR 2. Launch the Tether app and log in with your TP-Link ID. Note: If you don’t have a TP-Link ID, create one first. 3. Tap the + button and select Router > Wireless Router. Follow the steps to complete the setup and connect to the internet. 4. Connect your devices to the newly configured wireless networks of the router and enjoy the internet! 4. 3. Manually Set Up Your Internet Connection In this part, you can check your current internet connection settings.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection 2 ) If you choose Static IP, enter the information provided by your ISP in the corresponding fields. 3 ) If you choose PPPoE, enter the username and password provided by your ISP. PPPoE users usually have DSL cable modems.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection 4 ) If you choose L2TP, enter the username and password and choose the Secondary Connection provided by your ISP. Different parameters are needed according to the Secondary Connection you have chosen. 5 ) If you choose PPTP, enter the username and password, and choose the Secondary Connection provided by your ISP. Different parameters are needed according to the Secondary Connection you have chosen. 5. Click Save.
Chapter 4 4. 4. Set Up Internet Connection Set Up the Router as an Access Point The router can work as an access point, transforming your existing wired network to a wireless one. 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > System > Operation Mode, select Access Point and click Save. The router will reboot and switch to Access Point mode. 3.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection 2. Go to Advanced > IPv6. 3. Enable IPv6 and select the internet connection type provided by your ISP. Tips: If you do not know what your internet connection type is, contact your ISP or judge according to the already known information provided by your ISP. 4. Fill in information as required by different connection types. 1 ) Static IP: Fill in blanks and click Save. 2 ) Dynamic IP(SLAAC/DHCPv6): Click Advanced to input further information if your ISP requires.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection Note: If your ISP provides two separate accounts for the IPv4 and IPv6 connections, manually enter the username and password for the IPv6 connection. 4 ) 6to4 Tunnel: An IPv4 internet connection type is a prerequisite for this connection type (Manually Set Up Your Internet Connection). Click Advanced to input further information if your ISP requires. Click Save and then click Connect. 5 ) Pass-Through (Bridge): Click Save and skip to Step 6.
Chapter 4 Set Up Internet Connection 5. Configure LAN ports. Windows users are recommended to choose from the first two types. Fill in Address Prefix provided by your ISP, and click Save. 6. Click Status to check whether you have successfully set up an IPv6 connection. Tips: Visit the FAQ section if there is no internet connection.
Chapter 5 TP-Link Cloud Service TP-Link Cloud service provides a better way to manage your cloud devices. Log in to your router with a TP-Link ID, and you can easily monitor and manage your home network when you are out and about via the Tether app. To ensure that your router stays new and gets better over time, the TP-Link Cloud will notify you when an important firmware upgrade is available. Surely you can also manage multiple TP-Link Cloud devices with a single TP-Link ID.
Chapter 5 5. 1. TP-Link Cloud Service Register a TP-Link ID If you have skipped the registration during the Quick Setup process, you can: 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > TP-Link ID or click TP-Link ID on the very top of the page. 3. Click Sign Up and follow the instructions to register a TP-Link ID. 4. After activating your TP-Link ID, come back to the TP-Link ID page to log in.
Chapter 5 • TP-Link Cloud Service To change your password: 1. Click behind the Password. 5. 3. Manage the User TP-Link IDs 2. Enter the current password, then a new password twice. And click Save. The TP-Link ID used to log in to the router for the first time will be automatically bound as the Admin account.
Chapter 5 TP-Link Cloud Service from the same router as Users. All accounts can monitor and manage the router locally or remotely, but user accounts cannot: • Reset the router to its factory default settings either on the web management page or in the Tether app. • Add/remove other TP-Link IDs to/from the router. 5. 3. 1. Add TP-Link ID to Manage the Router 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID. 2. Go to Advanced > TP-Link ID, and focus on the Bound Accounts section. 3.
Chapter 5 5. 4. TP-Link Cloud Service Manage the Router via the TP-Link Tether App The Tether app runs on iOS and Android devices, such as smartphones and tablets. 1. Launch the Apple App Store or Google Play store and search “TP-Link Tether” or simply scan the QR code to download and install the app. OR 2. Launch the Tether app and log in with your TP-Link ID. Note: If you don’t have a TP-Link ID, create one first. 3. Connect your device to the router’s wireless network. 4.
Chapter 6 Wireless Settings This chapter guides you on how to configure the wireless settings.
Chapter 6 6. 1. Wireless Settings Specify Wireless Settings The router’s wireless network name (SSID) and password, and security option are preset in the factory. The preset SSID and password can be found on the label of the router. You can customize the wireless settings according to your needs. 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Wireless or Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings.
Chapter 6 Wireless Settings 1. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings. 2. Enable Smart Connect. 3. Keep the default values or set a new SSID and password, and click SAVE. This SSID and password will be applied for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless networks. If you want to configure the wireless settings separately for each band, untick the checkbox to disable this feature. • To enable or disable the wireless function: 1. Go to Wireless or Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings. 2.
Chapter 6 Wireless Settings • Mode - Select a transmission mode according to your wireless client devices. It is recommended to just leave it as default. 6. 2. Schedule Your Wireless Function The wireless network can be automatically off at a specific time when you do not need the wireless connection. 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Schedule. 3. Enable the Wireless Schedule feature. 4.
Chapter 6 Wireless Settings 6. 3. 1. Connect via the Client’s PIN 6. 3. 2. Connect via the Router’s PIN Enter the PIN of your device and click Connect. Then your device will get connected to the router. Select Router’s PIN in Method 1 to enable Router’s PIN. You can use the default PIN or generate a new one. Note: PIN (Personal Identification Number) is an eight-character identification number preset to each router. WPS supported devices can connect to your router with the PIN.
Chapter 6 6. 4. Wireless Settings Advanced Wireless Settings Check advanced wireless settings for your device. 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Additional Settings. 3. Configure advanced wireless settings. • WMM - WMM function can guarantee the packets with high-priority messages being transmitted preferentially.
Chapter 6 Wireless Settings • AP Isolation - This function isolates all connected wireless stations so that wireless stations cannot access each other through WLAN. • Airtime Fairness - This function can improve the overall network performance by sacrificing a little bit of network time on your slow devices.
Chapter 7 Guest Network This function allows you to provide Wi-Fi access for guests without disclosing your main network. When you have guests in your house, apartment, or workplace, you can create a guest network for them. In addition, you can customize guest network options to ensure network security and privacy.
Chapter 7 7. 1. Guest Network Create a Network for Guests 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > Wireless > Guest Network or click Wireless on the top page. Locate the Guest Network section. 3. Create a guest network as needed. 1 ) Tick the Enable checkbox for the 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless network. 2 ) Customize the SSID.
Chapter 7 7. 2. Guest Network Customize Guest Network Options 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > Wireless >Guest Network. Locate the Guest Permissions section. 3. Customize guest network options according to your needs.
Chapter 8 USB Settings This chapter describes how to use the USB ports to share files and media from the USB storage devices over your home network locally, or remotely through the internet. The router supports USB external flash drives and hard drives.
Chapter 8 8. 1. USB Settings Access the USB Storage Device Insert your USB storage device into the router’s USB port and then access files stored there locally or remotely. • • • • Tips: If you use USB hubs, make sure no more than 4 devices are connected to the router. If the USB storage device requires using bundled external power, make sure the external power has been connected. If you use a USB hard drive, make sure its file system is FAT32, exFat, NTFS or HFS+.
Chapter 8 USB Settings • Windows computer Method 2: Open the Windows Explorer (or go to Computer) and type the server address \\tplinkwifi.net or ftp://tplinkwifi.net in the address bar, then press Enter. 1 ) Select Go > Connect to Server. 2 ) Type the server address smb://tplinkwifi.net. 3 ) Click Connect. Mac 4 ) When prompted, select the Guest radio box. (If you have set up a username and a password to deny anonymous access to the USB disks, you should select the Registered User radio box.
Chapter 8 USB Settings • Share photos and other large files with your friends without logging in to (and paying for) a photo-sharing site or email system. • Get a safe backup for the materials for a presentation. • Remove the files on your camera’s memory card from time to time during the journey. Note: If your ISP assigns a private WAN IP address (such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x), you cannot use this feature because private addresses are not routed on the internet.
Chapter 8 USB Settings 1 ) Open the Windows Explorer (or go to Computer, only for Windows users) or open a web browser. 2 ) Type the server address in the address bar: Type in ftp://: (such as ftp://59.40.2.243:21). If you have specified the domain name of the router, you can also type in ftp://: (such as ftp://MyDomainName:21) Computer 3 ) Press Enter on the keyboard.
Chapter 8 USB Settings 2. Now you can access the USB storage device by visiting \\MyShare (for Windows) or smb://MyShare (for Mac). • To Only Share Specific Content • To Set Up Authentication for Data Security Focus on the File Sharing section. Specify sharing folders that you want to share and click Save. You can set up authentication for your USB storage device so that network clients will be required to enter username and password when accessing the USB storage device. 1.
Chapter 8 USB Settings 2. Click to modify the access account. The username and password are both admin for default administrator account, and both visit for default visitor account. Accessing as an administrator can read and modify the shared folders while visitors can only read the shared folders. Note: 1. For Windows users, do not set the sharing username the same as the Windows username.
Chapter 8 USB Settings • Go to Computer > Network, then click the Media Server Name (Model number-share by default) in the Media Devices section. Note: Here we take Windows 7 as an example. Windows Computer Tablet 8. 3. • Use a third-party DLNA-supported player. Time Machine Time Machine backs up all files on your Mac computer to a USB storage device connected to your router. 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2.
Chapter 8 USB Settings 3. Tick the checkbox to enable Time Machine. 4. Click Select to select a location for Time Machine backups. 5. Set the Size Limit for Backups. Note: 0 means no limit for the space. 6. Click Save.
Chapter 9 HomeShield Customize your home network with enhanced security using a kit of features built in TP-Link HomeShield. Whether protecting your sensitive data or limiting the access of kids and guests, TP-Link HomeShield provides you the tools you need to fully manage your network.
Chapter 9 9. 1. HomeShield Network Security TP-Link HomeShield provides many tools to protect your network from malicious attacks.
Chapter 9 HomeShield Child Protection Keep your child away from inappropriate content Family Incentive Program Manage screen time and create rewards Family Time Pause the internet to enjoy family time • To use this feature, download Tether to enjoy the HomeShield service 1. Scan the QR code or get the Tether app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. OR 2. Launch the Tether app and log in with your TP-Link ID. If you don’t have an account, create one first. 3.
Chapter 9 HomeShield 2. Launch the Tether app and log in with your TP-Link ID. If you don’t have an account, create one first. 3. Log in to your router and tap the HomeShield tab to use this feature.
Chapter 10 OneMesh with Seamless Roaming This chapter introduces the TP-Link OneMeshTM feature.
Chapter 10 OneMesh with Seamless Roaming TP-Link OneMesh router and TP-Link OneMesh extenders work together to form one unified Wi-Fi network. Walk through your home and stay connected with the fastest possible speeds thanks to OneMesh’s seamless coverage. SAME INTERNE T Network Name & Password for seamless roaming Unified Wi-Fi Network Router and extenders share the same wireless settings, including network name, password, access control settings and more.
Chapter 10 OneMesh with Seamless Roaming 3. Connect a OneMesh extender to this router by following the setup instructions in the extender’s manual. The extender will be listed on the router’s OneMesh page. Note: To check full list of TP-Link OneMesh devices, visit https://www.tp-link.com/onemesh/compatibility. 4. If you have set up the extender to join the OneMesh network, it will be listed on the router’s OneMesh page.
Chapter 10 OneMesh with Seamless Roaming 10. 2. Manage Devices in the OneMesh Network In a OneMesh network, you can manage all mesh devices and connected clients on your router’s web page. • To view mesh devices and connected clients in the network: 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Network Map. 3. Click • to view all mesh devices, and click to view all connected clients. To manage a OneMesh device in the network: 1.
Chapter 10 OneMesh with Seamless Roaming 4. Manage the OneMesh device as needed. You can: • Change device information. • Click Leave OneMesh to delete this device from the OneMesh network. • Click Manage Device to redirect to the web management page of this device.
Chapter 11 Network Security This chapter guides you on how to protect your home network from cyber attacks and unauthorized users by implementing these three network security functions. You can protect your home network from cyber attacks, block or allow specific client devices to access your network using Access Control, or you can prevent ARP spoofing and ARP attacks using IP & MAC Binding.
Chapter 11 Network Security 11. 1. Protect the Network from Cyber Attacks The SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) Firewall protects the router from cyber attacks and validate the traffic that is passing through the router based on the protocol. This function is enabled by default. 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > Security > Firewall. It’s recommended to keep the default settings. 11. 2.
Chapter 11 2 ) Click Network Security and select devices you want to be blocked and Click ADD. 3 ) The Operation Succeeded message will appear on the screen, which means the selected devices have been successfully added to the blacklist. To allow specific device(s): 1 ) Select Whitelist and click SAVE. 2 ) Your own device is in the whitelist by default and cannot be deleted. Click to add other devices to the whitelist. • Add connected devices 1 ) Click Select From Device List.
Chapter 11 Network Security 3 ) The Operation Succeeded message will appear on the screen, which means the selected devices have been successfully added to the whitelist. • Add unconnected devices 1 ) Click Add Manually. 2 ) Enter the Device Name and MAC Address of the device you want to be allowed and click ADD. 3 ) The Operation Succeeded message will appear on the screen, which means the device has been successfully added to the whitelist.
Chapter 11 Network Security I want to: Prevent ARP spoofing and ARP attacks. How can I do that? 1. Visit http://tplinkwifi.net, and log in with your TP-Link ID or the password you set for the router. 2. Go to Advanced > Security > IP & MAC Binding. 3. Enable IP & MAC Binding. 4. Bind your device(s) according to your need. To bind the connected device(s): 1 ) Click in the Binding List section. 2 ) Click VIEW CONNECTED DEVICES and select the device you want to bind.
Chapter 11 Network Security To bind the unconnected device: 1 ) Click in the Binding List section. 2 ) Enter the MAC Address and IP Address that you want to bind. 3 ) Click SAVE.
Chapter 12 NAT Forwarding The router’s NAT (Network Address Translation) feature makes devices on the LAN use the same public IP address to communicate with devices on the internet, which protects the local network by hiding IP addresses of the devices. However, it also brings about the problem that an external host cannot initiatively communicate with a specified device on the local network.
Chapter 12 NAT Forwarding 12. 1. Share Local Resources on the Internet by Port Forwarding When you build up a server on the local network and want to share it on the internet, Port Forwarding can realize the service and provide it to internet users. At the same time Port Forwarding can keep the local network safe as other services are still invisible from the internet. Port Forwarding can be used for setting up public services on your local network, such as HTTP, FTP, DNS, POP3/SMTP and Telnet.
Chapter 12 NAT Forwarding 5. Click VIEW COMMON SERVICES and select HTTP. The External Port, Internal Port and Protocol will be automatically filled in. 6. Click VIEW CONNECTED DEVICES and select your home PC. The Device IP Address will be automatically filled in. Or enter the PC’s IP address 192.168.0.100 manually in the Device IP Address field. 7. Click SAVE. Tips: It is recommended to keep the default settings of Internal Port and Protocol if you are not clear about which port and protocol to use.
Chapter 12 NAT Forwarding Tips: The WAN IP should be a public IP address. For the WAN IP is assigned dynamically by the ISP, it is recommended to apply and register a domain name for the WAN referring to Set Up a Dynamic DNS Service Account. Then users on the internet can use http:// domain name to visit the website. • If you have changed the default External Port, you should use http:// WAN IP: External Port or http:// domain name: External Port to visit the website. • 12. 2.
