Before You Begin

Make sure you have the TP-Link Deco app installed on your phone or tablet and are signed in using the TP-Link ID associated with your Deco network.

Menu names and available features may vary slightly depending on your Deco firmware and Deco app version.

• Test Your Internet Speed
• Network Optimization
• Change Your Wi-Fi Name & Password
• Create a Guest Network
• Create an IoT Network
• Connect a Device Using WPS
• View Connected Devices
• Device Priority & QoS
• Deco Placement & Mesh Tips
• Restart vs. Factory Reset
• Internet Speed vs. Wi-Fi Speed
• When to Contact Wakey

Common Deco M5 Controls

Not every feature appears on every Deco firmware or app version. If a menu shown in this guide is missing, make sure your Deco app and Deco firmware are up to date.

Using the Deco Speed Test

Deco App → More → Test Internet Speed

1. Open the Deco app.
2. Tap More.
3. Select Test Internet Speed, if available.
4. Start the test.
5. Allow the test to complete and note the download and upload results.

The exact availability and location of the built-in speed test can vary depending on your Deco M5 firmware and Deco app version.

What Does the Result Tell Me?

If the Deco-level speed result is close to your Wakey Internet plan speed, but a phone, television or computer is considerably slower, the Internet connection itself may be working normally.

In that situation, focus next on Wi-Fi performance, device capability, Deco placement and Network Optimization.

For the Most Accurate Internet Test

Where possible, a wired Ethernet speed test from a capable computer remains the best way to test the Internet connection itself.

A speed test performed on a phone over Wi-Fi measures both your Internet connection and the wireless connection between the phone and Deco.

How to Optimize Your Deco Network

Deco App → More → Network Optimization

1. Open the Deco app.
2. Tap More.
3. Select Network Optimization.
4. Tap Scan.
5. Allow Deco to analyze the wireless environment.
6. If optimization is recommended, tap Optimize.
7. Allow the optimization to complete.
8. Test your Wi-Fi again.

Your Wi-Fi connection may briefly change or become unstable while Deco applies the optimization.

Wakey Tip — Check the Internet First

Network Optimization is useful when the Internet connection itself is healthy but wireless performance isn't quite where it should be.

If your Internet is unusually slow on Ethernet and Wi-Fi, Network Optimization is unlikely to address the underlying problem. Start by testing the Internet connection itself.

Wi-Fi Settings

Deco App → More → Wi-Fi Settings

1. Open Wi-Fi Settings.
2. Locate your Wi-Fi Name (SSID).
3. Enter the new Wi-Fi name, if desired.
4. Enter your new Wi-Fi Password, if desired.
5. Tap Save.

Your Deco network will apply the new settings.

Changing Your Wi-Fi Information?

Changing either the Wi-Fi name or password will disconnect devices that were connected using the old information.

You'll need to reconnect your phones, computers, televisions, smart-home devices and other Wi-Fi equipment using the new network name and/or password.

Set Up Guest Wi-Fi

Deco App → More → Guest Network

1. Open Guest Network.
2. Turn the Guest Network On.
3. Choose a name for your Guest Wi-Fi.
4. Create a password.
5. Configure any additional available options.
6. Save your changes.

Give visitors the Guest Network name and password rather than the credentials for your primary Wi-Fi network.

Keep Your Guest Network Secure

We recommend using a password on your Guest Network rather than leaving the network open to anyone within Wi-Fi range.

Set Up an IoT Network

Deco App → More → IoT Network

1. Open IoT Network.
2. Enable the IoT Network.
3. Create a network name.
4. Create a password.
5. Select the appropriate Wi-Fi band, where available.
6. Save your settings.
7. Connect your smart-home device to the new network.

Device Requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi?

If your smart device specifically says it requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, a dedicated 2.4 GHz IoT Network can make initial setup easier where this feature is available.

Follow the smart-device manufacturer's setup instructions after connecting your phone or device to the appropriate network.

Using WPS

Deco App → More → WPS

1. Open WPS in the Deco app.
2. Select the appropriate Deco unit if prompted.
3. Activate WPS in the app.
4. Start WPS on the device you want to connect.
5. Allow the devices time to pair.

The WPS connection window is temporary, so activate WPS on the device you're connecting shortly after starting it in the Deco app.

Don't See WPS?

Feature availability can vary by firmware and configuration. WPS may also be unavailable with certain Wi-Fi settings, including when the primary wireless network is hidden.

Check Your Network

Deco App → Network

You can use this area to help determine:

• Which phones, computers and televisions are connected
• Whether a particular device is actually connected to Wi-Fi
• Which Deco unit a device is connected through
• How devices are distributed across your Deco mesh
• Whether an unfamiliar device appears on your network

Depending on your app and firmware version, additional device information and controls may also be available.

Don't Recognize a Device?

Don't panic just yet. Smart televisions, speakers, appliances and privacy features on modern phones can sometimes cause devices to appear under unfamiliar names.

When Device Priority Can Be Useful

You may want to prioritize devices used for:

• Remote work
• Video conferencing
• Gaming
• Streaming
• Other latency-sensitive activities

Look under More → QoS or the applicable device-priority controls available in your version of the Deco app.

QoS Does Not Increase Your Internet Speed

QoS manages how your existing available bandwidth is shared. It does not increase the provisioned speed of your Wakey Internet plan or improve a weak Wi-Fi signal.

Think of Your Mesh Like a Relay

Main Deco  →  Secondary Deco  →  Weak Coverage Area

A secondary Deco needs a healthy connection back to the rest of the mesh before it can provide a healthy connection onward to your devices.

Don't place a secondary Deco directly inside the dead zone you're trying to fix. Instead, position it between the main Deco and the area needing better coverage.

Placement Best Practices

• Keep Deco units in relatively open areas.
• Place them on a shelf, table or other elevated surface where practical.
• Avoid hiding them inside cabinets.
• Avoid placing them directly behind large televisions.
• Keep reasonable distance from large metal objects and major sources of wireless interference.
• Place secondary Deco units where they can still receive a good connection from the mesh.

Every home is different. Walls, floors, building materials, interference and device capabilities can all affect Wi-Fi performance.

Option 1 — Restart

Recommended first step when a reboot is appropriate.

Restarting your Deco simply reboots the device. It does not erase your:

• Wi-Fi name
• Wi-Fi password
• Deco network configuration
• Normal network settings

If you're troubleshooting, a restart is generally preferable to immediately factory resetting the Deco.

Option 2 — Factory Reset

A factory reset should generally be treated as a last resort.

Resetting a Deco can remove its existing configuration and require the unit to be configured again through the Deco app.

Don't factory reset your Deco simply because your Internet is temporarily slow or offline. We recommend completing the appropriate troubleshooting first or following the Wakey Crew's instructions.

Your Connection Path

Wakey Network  →  Modem  →  Main Deco  →  Wi-Fi  →  Your Device

Which Speed Test Should I Use?

• Wired Ethernet Test: Best indication of the Internet connection itself.
• Deco-Level Speed Test: Useful, where supported, for checking performance reaching the Deco.
• Wi-Fi Device Test: Measures both your Internet connection and the wireless connection between the device and Deco.

Comparing these results can help identify where a performance issue is occurring instead of simply assuming the Internet connection is slow.

Wi-Fi Could Use a Little Love?

Check out our Wi-Fi Best Practices Guide for more tips on placement, interference, coverage and getting the most from your home Wi-Fi.