What to do if your client cannot obtain an IP address after connecting to the EAP's Wi-Fi

To initialize the EAP, you may connect your client to the Wi-Fi, but find that you still cannot access the EAP’s setting page. This is mainly because that the client fails to obtain an IP address. This article will guide you through the troubleshooting process.

Step 1. Connect your client to the EAP’s Wi-Fi

It is highly recommended that you can connect your client to the EAP's Wi-Fi when configuring the EAP so that you can log into the EAP’s setting page with the domain name “http://tplinkeap.net”.

Please refer to the product label at the bottom of the EAP, you will find the default SSID named “TP-Link_2.4GHz_XXXXXX” and “TP-Link_5GHz_XXXXXX” for the 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band.

Step 2. Check the devices’ connection.

Typically, network devices might be connected as shown below: the router forwards traffic from the network to the Internet, and acts as the DHCP server to assign IP addresses to all devices and clients within the network; the EAPs provide the wireless signal and are powered with the PoE switch.

A simpler or more complex network should be similar, a DHCP server assigns IP addresses, only with more or fewer devices, VLAN settings, and some other advanced features, etc.

Before initializing the EAPs, make sure that you have all devices correctly connected and powered according to your network.

Note that EAPs cannot work as the DHCP server, if you’re using the built-in DHCP server of the router, or an external server providing DHCP service, be sure that it is properly connected to the network before configuration.

Step 2. Ensure that the DHCP server is enabled.

The DHCP server should be working properly so that your client can obtain an IP address. If you are using a static IP for your client, please skip this step, but make sure that the IP address is set up correctly.

If you are using the built-in DHCP service of the router, please make sure the DHCP service is enabled.

• For TP-Link SMB routers, please log into the page, go to Network – LAN – DHCP Server, and confirm that the Status is checked.

• For TP-Link SOHO routers, please log into the page, go to Advanced – Network – DHCP server, and confirm that “DHCP Server” is enabled.

Note: If you have several VLANs or Interfaces, make sure that DHCP service is available for the VLAN to which EAPs are connected.

Step 3. The IP address of your client is correctly configured.

For detailed instructions on TCP/IP settings, please refer to FAQ: How to configure wired TCP/IP Properties of my computer(Windows XP,Vista,7,8,10,Mac)?

To make your Windows client obtain an IP address automatically, go to Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change adapter settings, right-click your Ethernet adapter go to properties -> Internet Protocol Version, choose “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically”.

If you would like to use the static IP address for your client, please refer to the above FAQ, which is not presented here.