I cannot access the router's secured wireless network. Why is that?

Your TP-Link wireless router broadcasts its network name as a Service Set Identifier (SSID).  Your computer or wireless device connects here to become a part of your wireless network. As well as making it easy for you to identify the name of your network, you can customize the SSID for security reasons. Wireless network names can also be known as SSIDs.

Procedure:

Details of the steps:

Step 1:

1.     Verify whether the laptop has a WIFI button, and make sure the WIFI is turned on.

2.     Then restart it.

3.     See if the problem persists on a different laptop.

Please contact the support of your laptop if the problem is caused by it.

Step 2:

1.     Turn on the router again.

2.     Ensure that the WLAN light is on or flashing, and check whether the SSID is broadcast or hidden.

Here takes SSID of 2.4GHz  as demostration.

3.     Edit the Wireless Network Name and Channel, then save and reboot. Choose a channel from 1 to 11.

4.     Try to change different security type to see whether you meet the same problem.  

Step 3:

Remove the laptop's wireless profile.

For more information, please see the following frequently asked questions:

The computer saves the settings and profiles of a wireless network so that the next time you connect, you won't have to enter the wireless security key again.  The computer will automatically connect to your previously connected wireless network if it is within range of the wireless network profile that is saved on your computer.

If you have connected to several wireless networks before, your computer may not be able to connect wirelessly, especially if the wireless network name (SSID) is the same as the ones you have previously connected to.  Getting wireless connectivity to your current wireless network may be improved by removing wireless network profiles from your computer.

Step 4:

Log in. Make sure you double-check your password by logging into the management page.

Note: For different operating systems, it is sometimes difficult to connect to the wireless network. Here are some of the common problems you may encounter:

For windows XP:

1.     When you try to search the wireless network, there is a piece of information shows ”Windows cannot configure this wireless network settings………”

This is caused by some programs blocking your Microsoft zero configuration tool. You can try to enable it by clicking here.

2.     It always displays "waiting for the network..." when you try to connect to the WiFi, and it disappears after you enter the security key.

Check the Service Pack of your laptop to determine whether it has SP1 * SP2 or SP3 (Click on Start, find my computer, right click on my computer and choose properties)

SP1 can support WEP ony;

SP2 can support WEP 、 WPA-PSK(WPA-personal);

SP3 can support WEP 、 WPA-PSK （ WPA-personal ） 、 WPA2-PSK （ WPA2-personal ）

You should make sure of the SP version of your laptop and set the corresponding security type.

3.     When connected to the wifi, it shows "Validating identity" (Windows cannot locate a certificate to log you on the network).

You may cancel the authentication by clicking Here.

4.     It shows “acquiring network address” after you entering the security key, later shows “limited or no connectivity”

Please try bellowing one by one:

a.     Manually configure a static ip address for the wireless network to see whether it can access the internet.

b.     Try to change your security type to WPA-PSK.

For Windows Vista & 7:

Vista has some compatibility issues with different security types, once you encounter a connection problem with vista, it is highly recommended to try other laptops with other operating systems, such as win xp or win 7.

1.     It shows "Windows was unable to connect to the XXX network" when trying to connect the ssid.

a.     Clear the old profile.

b.     On the router's configuration page, try changing the SSID and channel.

c.     Restart your laptop and try to connect again.

2.     Upon trying to connect the SSID, it displays "Please press the configuration button on the Wireless AP/Router"

Please choose I want to enter the network key or passphrase instead

3.     If you try to connect to the SID, you are asked for a username and password rather than a security key.

Windows problems are also to blame for this, you can try adding a profile manually.