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How to configure Parental Control on TP-Link Wi-Fi Router

Configuration Guide
Updated 10-21-2025 09:09:06 AM Number of views for this article625326
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Introduction

This function allows you to set up unique restrictions on internet access for each member of your family. You can block inappropriate content, set daily limits for the total time spent online, and restrict internet access to certain times of the day.

Note: Please make sure the Private MAC Address is disabled on your clients; otherwise, the parental control won't take effect.

Configuration

There are currently two versions of the Parental Controls interface. Please follow the instructions under the scenario that corresponds to your router’s interface.

Scenario 1

Step 1. Log in to the web-based interface of the router.

Step 2. Go to Advanced > Parental Controls and enable Parental Controls.

Parental Controls interface with the toggle switch turned on.

Step 3. Click Add. And then click View Existing Devices, select the access device. Or, input the Device Name and MAC Address manually.

Devices Under Parental Controls interface with a device table, add/delete buttons, and input fields for device details.

Step 4. Click the Internet Access Time icon to set the Internet Access Time. This defines the time periods during which your rule takes effect. It does not mean that internet access is granted during those times.

Internet Access Time selection grid with days of the week (Sunday-Saturday), hourly slots (00:00-24:00), highlighted time blocks, current system time, and action buttons (Cancel, Reset, Save).

Step 5. Finish Content Restriction settings. You can add up to 32 keywords.

  • Blacklist. The controlled devices cannot access any websites containing the specified keywords during the Internet Access Time period.
  • Whitelist. The controlled devices can only access websites containing the specified keywords during the Internet Access Time period.

Content Restriction interface showing policy options (Blacklist selected), keyword input field with "keyword1", add/remove buttons, and save button.

Scenario 2

Step 1. Log in to the web-based interface of the router.

Step 2. Go to Advanced > Parental Controls page.

Parental Controls page under Advanced tab, with left sidebar menu (Parental Controls highlighted) and main content area displaying profile management table.

Step 3. Click Add to create a profile for a family member. Add basic profile information. Name and choose devices.

Note: Only devices that have previously been connected to your router’s network are listed here. If you are unable to find the device you want to add, connect it to your network and then try again.

Create Profile dialog showing the Basic Information step with a name input field, plus/minus device selection buttons, and Cancel/Next action buttons.

Step 4. Customize the block content for this profile according to your needs. Add one or more keywords. All websites containing the keywords will be blocked.

Note: The filtering rule is blacklist in nature, which means you can only specify the websites you want to block, but cannot limit access to specific websites.

Create Profile dialog at the Blocked Content step, showing a keyword input field, an added keyword "youtube" with a delete button, and Back/Next navigation buttons.

Step 5. Click Next, Set time restrictions on internet access. Enable Time Limits on Monday to Friday and Saturday & Sunday. Enable Bed Time on School Nights and use the up/down arrows or enter times in the fields. Devices under this profile will be unable to access the internet during this time period.Create Profile dialog at the Time Controls step, showing Time Limits settings with toggles for Mon to Fri and Sat & Sun, and a progress indicator.

Bed Time settings interface showing toggle switches for School Nights (Sun to Thur) and Weekend (Fri & Sat) to block internet access during specified times.

Note:

  • Time Limits and Bed Time are effective for all the devices of this profile.
  • The time effective here is based on the system time of the router. Go to Advanced > System Tools > Time Settings to set the correct system time.

QA

Q1: Can I pause internet access immediately?

A1: If you want to keep your children from accessing the Internet, you can do it with a click.

Find the profile and click in the Internet Access column. All devices in this profile will be restricted from internet access.

Parental Controls interface showing a list of profiles with columns for Profile Name, Time Limits, Devices, Internet Access status (Paused/Stopped), and Modify actions.

Note:

  • The pause function cuts internet access of the profile even if there is remaining online time.
  • You can click to enable access again.
  • The pause function does not affect the remaining online time.

Get to know more details of each function and configuration, please go to the Download Center to download the manual of your product.

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