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Extend an existing Wireless Network

Greetings!

I've recently upgraded my Wi Fi hardware to take advantage of the greater security and speeds available. I replaced a 2017-era Airport Time Capsule (the last model available) with a TP-Link Archer AX1800 Wi FI 6 router. Since the TC actually still works, and has a 2 TB HDD, I'd like to be able to still make use of the storage. The problem I am having is I can't get the TC to connect to and extend the wireless network of the TP-Link.

I've reset the TC to factory defaults a few times, but when I choose the option to "join an existing network" it dumps me right back into the "create a new network" screen of Airport Utility. Even when I set the TC up as a wireless base station then change the settings to join an existing network it doesn't connect, and apparently doesn't even see the existing network.

I thought it might be the security settings on the TP-Link. I had it set to WPA3/WPA2 Personal, so I changed it to WPA/WPA2 Personal with no luck.

The TC has the latest firmware, and so does the TP-Link. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Time Capsule

Posted on Mar 15, 2023 8:49 AM

Best reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2024

Level 10

160,838 points

Posted on Mar 15, 2023 12:45 PM

The TC cannot connect to the Wi-Fi signal provided by the TP-Link router using only a Wi-Fi connection.

But, even if it could.......(it can't)......the TC would not be able to to "extend" the Wi-Fi signal provided by the TP-Link router.

To connect the TC to the TP-Link network, you will need to connect an Ethernet cable from an Ethernet port on the TP-Link router to the "O" port on the TC and set up the TC to provide a Wi-Fi network that uses the exact same wireless network name, same security settings, and same password as the TP-Link router.

That Ethernet cable connection must be maintained at all times.

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Extend an existing Wireless Network

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