THG3000 Router Setup to TP-Link RE305 Extender

[RFA3100]

ROUTER THG 3000 to TP-Link Extender Setup Problem

I recently renewed my Vodafone Broadband contract and upgraded to Super Fast 2.  

With the contract came a new THG 3000 router to upgrade my old Vodafone HHG 2500.

Setup all straight forward. 

As my house is quite large I have always used a TP-Link RE305 range extender.

The extender paired up easily to the router using the TP-Link Tether app and all the extender settings viewed via a web browser on my computer.

This is when things seemed to go wrong. When I tried to connect my phone, tablet (Android) and computer (MacBook) to the extender, it will not accept the setup password.

I have also tried a BT extender without success.

I have contacted Vodafone Support without any success, also TP-Link technical, they confirmed the extender is working correctly.

My question is, has anybody else experienced this problem, why does the HHG 2500 work ok and not the THG 3000?

[clint_flick]

Hi

I suggest that an ethernet cable from the VodaFone Modem to your new box of tricks will make it work.

https://www.netgear.com/support/product/rax20.aspx#docs

[Anonymous]

I'll stick to my guns here that in most cases a single WiFi extender will work, but you really do have to follow the instructions like a complete pedant.  In most cases follow the instructions to the letter - don't during first install adapt anything to your specific wants.  If that works, then you can try changing the settings - and if it no longer works at least you'll have an idea why!

*I can't find a Netgear AX1800 mesh extender though?  All I can find are AX1750 and AX1900 models.

[Jenniemac]

Keith, you seem to have more luck than me. I have followed it exactly and cant get passed the point of not finding netgear_ext (as suggested) and it wont let me onto mywifinet as I am not connected to _ext.

[Jenniemac]

Does  anyone know if Vodafone are working to resolve this problem or just ignoring everything on their 'community forum's?

[Jenniemac]

Does anyone know if Vodafone are working to resolve this problem or just ignoring everything on their 'community forum'?

[Jayach]

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@Jenniemac wrote:

Does anyone know if Vodafone are working to resolve this problem or just ignoring everything on their 'community forum'?

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From my experience Vodafone totally ignore these forums except to occasionally tell us to contact their lovely social media teams. I think it is expected to be user to user help.

[Jenniemac]

I made a complaint last week and was told by the complaints department that their advice was to leave Vodafone. It said volumes about how little they bother with customers.

[WifiFail]

Vodafone now sell a "Pro" broadband package which is how they now deliver the function of extenders - by charging customers a higher rate for Broadband every month.

Could this by why the THG3000 is "incompatible" with extenders that you just pay for once instead of a legacy income stream for Vodafone for the duration of your contract?

[ihp]

Same Problem.

In my house the router signal almost reached the bedroom (thick barn walls).

Eventually I got the signal far enough by separating the 2.4 and 5Ghz bands in the router setup, (it's very easy to do or undo) giving them different names.  I was able to use the iPad on the 2.4 channel,  even though it would not work on the "combined" channels or on the 5Ghz on its own.   I also moved the router to avoid the thick walls as much as possible.    Not a solution to the router software issue,  but it might be enough for a some people.  Found it on the Plusnet forum.

[rowladar]

I had the THG3000 router after upgrading from their previous model.  It worked first time with my TP-Link extenders.  To be clear, I have one TP-Link in the office where my broadband router is connected.  I ran an ethernet cable from the router to the TP-link.  I then have four or five other TP-links in other parts of the house for TVs, XBoxes etc. and they all work perfectly... some of the extenders are the 3-port model and I also have a wifi-extender model - again all working perfectly.