Fix Deco Disconnecting and Internet Instability Issues

This guide walks you through step-by-step troubleshooting to resolve Deco disconnecting and internet instability issues. It covers four common scenarios: the entire Deco network losing Internet, satellite Deco units dropping, specific devices going offline, and all client devices dropping randomly. After working through the relevant section, your connection should be stable again.

Before you begin: Make sure all Deco units are running the latest firmware. If not, follow these steps to upgrade your Deco firmware before proceeding.

Key Takeaways

• Always update to the latest Deco firmware before troubleshooting connectivity issues. Outdated firmware is a common cause of instability.
• There are several types of disconnection: the entire main Deco network losing Internet, only satellite units losing connection, specific wired or wireless devices dropping, and all client devices dropping at once.
• A red blinking (flashing) light on a Deco unit typically means that the satellite unit has lost its connection to the main Deco. A solid red light indicates the unit itself has an issue. See the Deco LED color guide for details by model.

Fix: Main Deco Network Is Unstable or Loses Internet

If your entire Deco network is dropping or disconnecting from the Internet, follow the steps below.

• Confirm that all Ethernet cables are firmly connected, and replace any cables that appear old or damaged.
• Make sure only the main Deco unit is connected directly to your Internet service provider (ISP) modem. This applies when the Deco is set to its default wireless router mode.
• In the Deco app, change the DNS server under IPv4 settings to 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.
• Clone the media access control (MAC) address of your previous router or laptop to the main Deco unit using the Deco app.
• Test your ISP modem connection directly. Disconnect the main Deco from the modem and connect a computer or a secondary router directly to the modem. Run a ping to www.google.com for at least one minute. If you see packet loss or no Internet, contact your ISP for support.

Fix: Satellite Deco Units Are Unstable or Lose Internet

If only your satellite units are dropping or showing a red blinking light, try the following.

• Check whether any household appliances, metal objects, or large furniture are placed near the satellite unit, especially near entryways. Move these items or reposition the Deco unit to an open location.
• Relocate any soundbars or HDMI devices operating on the same wireless frequency near the satellite unit.
• Use the Deco app to check the signal strength of each satellite unit. Units with a poor signal, or those connecting to the main Deco using only 2.4 GHz wireless backhaul, should be moved closer to the main unit. A distance of 25 to 30 feet between units is recommended.
• Try swapping the physical locations of your satellite units to see if the disconnection issue follows a specific unit.
• If there is a network switch between an unstable satellite unit and the main Deco, remove it temporarily to see if stability improves.

Fix: Deco Network Is Stable but Specific Devices Drop Out

If your Deco network is working but individual devices are losing Internet, use the steps below based on device type.

If the affected devices are Windows computers, start by updating the network adapter driver.

For wired devices:

1. Swap the Ethernet cable and try a different port on the Deco unit.
2. Connect the device to a different Deco unit to see if the issue follows the device or the unit.
3. If the device connects through a switch, connect it directly to a Deco unit instead.

For wireless devices that show Wi-Fi connected but no Internet:

1. When the issue occurs, do not reboot any Deco units. Instead, move the affected device closer to a Deco unit, then toggle Wi-Fi off and back on to reconnect.
2. Set a client connection preference for the specific device in the Deco app, and confirm that the device is receiving its IP address from the Deco system.

If the device cannot connect to the Deco Wi-Fi at all, see what to do when you cannot connect to Deco Wi-Fi.

Fix: All Client Devices Are Dropping Randomly

If all devices are losing connectivity at the same time, first confirm whether the issue is that devices cannot connect to the Deco Wi-Fi, or that Wi-Fi is connected, but there is no Internet.

If devices cannot connect to Deco Wi-Fi:

1. Disable the Fast Roaming and Beamforming features in the Deco app as a test. You can also disable the Mesh Technology setting for a specific client to check whether it stabilizes. For more information, see why clients may fail to connect when Fast Roaming is enabled.
2. Open a guest network with no encryption and have all affected clients connect to it to test.

If Wi-Fi is connected but there is no Internet:

Confirm that all affected client devices are receiving their IP addresses from the Deco system. Then change the DNS on the Deco to 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 in the Deco app.

Need More Help?

If you have worked through the steps above and are still experiencing connection issues, contact TP-Link Support. To help resolve your issue quickly, please provide the following details.

• Results of any troubleshooting steps you have already tried.
• The LED status on your Deco units when the problem occurs. Note whether the light is solid red or flashing red.
• The light status on your ISP modem.
• How often the issue happens, and whether it ever resolves on its own.
• Your ISP name and the model number of your modem.
• The model number and hardware and firmware version of your Deco units.