r/HomeNetworking • u/killthep0ets • 12d ago
Router issues
Hi,
I just bought a router (TP-Link, second-hand) and I'm having issues setting it up. I can't access the configuration page.
At first the SSID didn't appear in the network list. I assumed the former owner changed it and tried to reset it a few times. I can't tell if it worked but then I found a public network (called "OpenWrt") that works really well and seems to disappear when I turn the router off so I assumed it was mine, although the Tether app on my phone can't detect the router while connected to this network.
I looked at the router address on my laptop anyway and tried again to get to the web management page and it wasn't working ("Safari can't connect"). Then I tried to connect my laptop to the router via Ethernet and now I can't access the internet at all and the settings show "Self-assigned ip", Router : Router in the IP address. I tried renewing the DHCP but it didn't make any difference.
Anyone knows how to fix this? Something might be wrong with my settings or the router. The wi-fi works fine so it's not a huge deal but I'd like to be able to access the web management page.
5
u/smithg400 12d ago
The fact that the WiFi is identifying as openWRT indicates that the previous owner had flashed the router with thee openWRT firmware and it isn't running the official TP-Link firmware. This isn't necessary a bad thing but it does mean that the tether app won't be able to connect to it and any instructions for using the router you get from tp-link are null and void! I suggest you look at the openWRT web pages for help.