How to Connect Your TL-WR1502X Travel Router to a Hotspot with a Captive Portal

When we try connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, such as airports, hotels, and coffee shops, a web page (also known as the Captive Portal) appears for authentication. We’re required to fill in a username or password before we are allowed to access the public network.

With a TP-Link Travel Router, such as the TL-WR1502X, you can complete the authentication once during the quick setup. Then, all your devices, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, and more, can connect to the wireless network without having to authenticate each device.

Follow the steps below to connect your travel router to a hotspot with a captive portal:

1. Connect your router as shown below.

1. Set the Mode Switch to Hotspot.
2. Power on the router. Wait until the router’s LED turns into solid red.

2. Connect your device to the router (wireless or wired).

• Wireless: Connect your device to the router’s Wi-Fi. The default wireless network names (SSIDs) and wireless password are printed on the Wi-Fi info card and the label at the bottom of the router.
• Wired: Turn off your device's Wi-Fi and connect to the router's WAN or LAN port with an Ethernet cable.

3. Launch a web browser and enter http://tplinkwifi.net or http://192.168.0.1 in the address bar. Create a password to log in.

4. Start the Quick Setup, ensure the operation mode is Hotspot, and click NEXT.

5. Select your time zone.

6. Select the public network you want to connect to and enter the password, if any.

7. Select the internet connection type and complete the settings. If unsure, use Dynamic IP in most cases or consult the ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Note: If the public hotspot requires Captive Portal Authentication, complete it during the Quick Setup before accessing the network.

8. Personalize the wireless settings. You can keep the default wireless settings or customize a new one.

9. If it requires captive portal authentication, a pop-up window will appear as below. Click the Open Captive Portal Login Page to complete the authentication.

The following illustration is, for example, only; the actual pages may differ from actual networks.

Note: If the captive portal does not appear, try the following methods:

Method 1. Open any web page

Connect your smartphone or computer to the router, then open any website. You will be redirected to the portal login page.

Method 2. Change the MAC address.

1. Connect your smartphone to the public hotspot’s Wi-Fi. Find the smartphone’s MAC address on its Wi-Fi list and write it down.

2. Log in to the router's web management page and go to Advanced > Network > Internet > Router MAC Address. Select Use Custom MAC Address and enter the MAC address of your smartphone to connect to the public hotspot’s Wi-Fi.

10. Return to your router’s web management page and click FINISH.

11. The setup is complete. You can now connect your devices to the wireless network and enjoy the internet!

Note: If you have customized new wireless settings, reconnect your wireless devices to the new Wi-Fi network(s).