How to Set Up Whitelist on TP-Link TL-WR842N v5

TP-Link TL-WR842N Version 5 MAC Address Whitelist Function May Work Incorrectly Due to Firmware Features or Improper Configuration

To properly configure the whitelist, you need to navigate to the “Access Control” section, enable “Allow only specified MAC addresses” mode, and ensure all necessary MAC addresses are added without errors. Often, the issue lies in the fact that the MAC address filtering function in this router version requires additional activation or may conflict with other security settings.

Contents

• How the MAC whitelist function works in TL-WR842N v5
• Step-by-step MAC address whitelist setup
• Why the whitelist may not work
• Impact of whitelist on web interface access
• Additional settings for activation
• Troubleshooting whitelist issues

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How the MAC whitelist function works in TL-WR842N v5

The MAC address whitelist function in the TP-Link TL-WR842N version 5 router operates on a permissive access list principle. When whitelist mode is activated, the router only allows connection to devices whose MAC addresses are included in the whitelist and denies access to all other devices.

It’s important to note that in version 5 of the router, the chipset was changed and a more powerful processor was installed compared to previous versions, which could affect the operation of certain security functions, including MAC address filtering [source: help-wifi.ru].

Unlike a blacklist, which blocks specific devices, a whitelist works as an “allow mode” - it only allows specified devices to access the Wi-Fi network.

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Step-by-step MAC address whitelist setup

Step 1: Connect to the router’s web interface

1. Connect to the router via Wi-Fi or using an Ethernet cable
2. Open a web browser and navigate to http://tplinkwifi.net or http://192.168.0.1
3. Enter the username and password (default: admin/admin)

Step 2: Access the access control section

1. In the web interface, find the “Access Control” section
2. Select the “MAC Filter” tab
3. In the “Configuration” section, select the operation mode: “Allow” for whitelist

Step 3: Add MAC addresses

1. Click the “Add” button
2. Enter the device name (optional)
3. Enter the device’s MAC address in the correct format (XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX)
4. Select the connection type (Wi-Fi or Wired)
5. Click “Save”

Tip: To find a device’s MAC address, open the command prompt (Windows) and run the command ipconfig /all or go to your device’s network settings.

Step 4: Activate filtering

1. Ensure all necessary MAC addresses are added to the list
2. Activate filtering by setting the toggle to “Enabled”
3. Save changes and reboot the router

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Why the whitelist may not work

1. Incorrect filtering mode

A common error is selecting the wrong filtering operation mode. In the “MAC Filter” section, you must select “Allow” mode, not “Deny” [source: TP-Link FAQ].

2. Missing necessary MAC addresses

If the MAC addresses of all devices that need access are not added to the whitelist, they won’t be able to connect to the network. Make sure all your devices are added to the list.

3. MAC address formatting

The MAC address must be entered in the correct format with colons (XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX) and without errors. The slightest typo will prevent the device from being recognized.

4. Conflict with other security settings

In some cases, the whitelist may conflict with other security functions, such as WPA2/WPA3 encryption or parental controls. Try temporarily disabling these functions for testing.

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Impact of whitelist on web interface access

The MAC address whitelist function does not block access to the router’s management web interface. The web interface is always accessible from devices connected via wired connection, as well as from devices with allowed MAC addresses when connecting via Wi-Fi.

If you cannot access the web interface after configuring the whitelist, check:

• Are you connected via cable (Ethernet)
• Is your MAC address included in the whitelist
• Is your ISP blocking access to local IP addresses

Important: Always use a wired connection to access the web interface to avoid being blocked due to whitelist configuration errors.

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Additional settings for activation

1. Check firmware version

Ensure you have the latest firmware installed. To do this:

1. Go to “System” → “Firmware Update”
2. Check for updates
3. Install the latest version if necessary

2. Configure parental control

In some versions of TP-Link TL-WR842N, the whitelist function may be part of parental control. Check the settings in the “Parental Control” section and ensure that MAC address filtering does not conflict with other rules [source: TP-Link FAQ].

3. Disable DHCP server (optional)

For additional security, you can limit the DHCP IP address range:

1. Go to “Network” → “DHCP”
2. Set a smaller IP address range
3. Save settings

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Troubleshooting whitelist issues

1. Full router reboot

After making changes to the whitelist, perform a full router reboot:

1. Disconnect the router from power
2. Wait 2-3 minutes
3. Reconnect power and wait for full startup

2. Test function operation

To test if the whitelist is working:

1. Add the MAC address of an allowed device
2. Try connecting from this device - it should work
3. Try connecting from a device whose MAC address is not in the list - access should be denied

3. If nothing helps

If the whitelist continues to work incorrectly:

1. Reset the router to factory settings (hold the Reset button for 10-15 seconds)
2. Reconfigure the router
3. Apply whitelist settings on a clean configuration

Note: In some cases, the MAC address filtering function in TP-Link TL-WR842N version 5 may have software bugs. If the problem persists, contact TP-Link technical support or consider alternative network protection methods, such as WPA3 encryption or changing your Wi-Fi password.

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Sources

1. How to configure MAC address filtering on a TP-Link router
2. Tp-Link TL-WR842N/ND: router setup, supported modems list
3. How to block a device (Wi-Fi client) on a router by MAC address?
4. How to set up parental control on TP-Link Wi-Fi routers (new interface)
5. TL-WR842N N Series Multi-function Wireless Router

Conclusion

Configuring the MAC address whitelist in TP-Link TL-WR842N version 5 requires attention and proper selection of operation mode. The main points to remember:

1. Always select “Allow” mode for whitelist and “Deny” mode for blacklist
2. Verify the correct formatting of MAC addresses (XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX)
3. Add all necessary MAC addresses before activating filtering
4. If problems arise, try resetting settings and reconfiguring the router
5. Whitelist does not affect access to the management web interface

If the whitelist function continues to work incorrectly despite proper configuration, this may be related to firmware features in version 5. In such cases, consider using other network protection methods or contact TP-Link technical support.