TP Link TL-WA850RE Appearing in Network List

Does anyone else under Windows 10 see a device under "Networks" > "Network Infrastructure" called "TL-WA850RE"?

This device seems to come and go. Looking at the properties it says it's a TP Link device, and searching on the internet it says it's a "Range Extender".

However, I do not have any such devie plugged in to my network, nor do I see it's MAC address in my router (VM Hub 3)

Anyone got any ideas? Cheers

In reply to a post by gary333:

Does anyone else under Windows 10 see a device under "Networks" > "Network Infrastructure" called "TL-WA850RE"?

Where in Win10 are you looking? From the desktop icon called "Network" or from Settings or where? I cannot find an option called Network Infrastructure.

What type of hardware are you running Win10 on, could it be detecting something via WiFi or Bluetooth that is not actually on your IP network (in theory to configure it) ?

My desktop PC with Win10 Pro (20H2) has only Ethernet and I cannot find Network Infrastructure, which I suspect means nothing detected to show the category.

Likely a WiFi range extender in a neighbouring property that is being picked up by your WiFi network.

Windows 10 lists all the WiFi networks it can "see" even when it is connected to a WiFi network.
The TP Link device is being shown as an alternative WiFi network.
It can be ignored as it is not attached to your WiFi network.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

In reply to a post by gary333:

Does anyone else under Windows 10 see a device under "Networks" > "Network Infrastructure" called "TL-WA850RE"?

Where in Win10 are you looking? From the desktop icon called "Network" or from Settings or where? I cannot find an option called Network Infrastructure.

What type of hardware are you running Win10 on, could it be detecting something via WiFi or Bluetooth that is not actually on your IP network (in theory to configure it) ?

My desktop PC with Win10 Pro (20H2) has only Ethernet and I cannot find Network Infrastructure, which I suspect means nothing detected to show the category.

Apologies, I should have mentioned this. It is within "File Explorer" then "Networks" this opens up a window that shows "Computers" (all the ones on my network), "Network Infrastructure" that shows this device - although it isn't at this ponit in time and lastly "Other Devices" which shows my Roku's etc.

In reply to a post by skandia2:

Windows 10 lists all the WiFi networks it can "see" even when it is connected to a WiFi network.
The TP Link device is being shown as an alternative WiFi network.
It can be ignored as it is not attached to your WiFi network.

Cheers flilot & skandia2, i was hoping this was the case. I think I have seen this behaviour before on my Windows 7 device (although not this device usually a random Samsung phone) but for some reason thought this had been sorted in Windows 10 so you only see what's on your local network.

" thought this had been sorted in Windows 10 so you only see what's on your local network."

How does one add this device if it is new and is not on your network, surely it has to be seen in order to connect to it and add password?

In reply to a post by gary333:

Apologies, I should have mentioned this. It is within "File Explorer" then "Networks" this opens up a window that shows "Computers" (all the ones on my network), "Network Infrastructure" that shows this device - although it isn't at this ponit in time and lastly "Other Devices" which shows my Roku's etc.

Interesting. On my network Win10 can only see other Windows computers, and my Yamaha receiver amp that supports the MS "Play to" protocol. None of my Fire TV sticks, nor my Now TV stick (made by Roku), or my ASUS router, show up.

I wonder if you have an optional feature enabled to help with configuration, or I've disabled one. Maybe because this desktop does not have any WiFi.

In reply to a post by broadband66:

How does one add this device if it is new and is not on your network, surely it has to be seen in order to connect to it and add password?

According to the user guide, you either use WPS from your router to "auto configure", or you connect to the WiFi from the extender and configure it via web browser.

https://static.tp-link.com/2020/202004/20200422/1910...

In reply to a post by jchamier:

In reply to a post by gary333:

Apologies, I should have mentioned this. It is within "File Explorer" then "Networks" this opens up a window that shows "Computers" (all the ones on my network), "Network Infrastructure" that shows this device - although it isn't at this ponit in time and lastly "Other Devices" which shows my Roku's etc.

Interesting. On my network Win10 can only see other Windows computers, and my Yamaha receiver amp that supports the MS "Play to" protocol. None of my Fire TV sticks, nor my Now TV stick (made by Roku), or my ASUS router, show up.

I wonder if you have an optional feature enabled to help with configuration, or I've disabled one. Maybe because this desktop does not have any WiFi.

I think it's just the standard setup as both my laptop and PC show the same. I've just checked on my Windows 7 machine and this also shows the Roku's under "Other Devices". I don't think when I had a Firestick that did show on this page though. I assume the Roku's show as you can cast to them, and they also create a hidden network (even when this is turned off) pressumably for the remotes to connect to.

Makes sense I suppose in some ways to show these types of devices (someone elses device extender), however I would have assumed they would only show when you are not connected to a WiFi network to prevent people like me thinkning they are being hacked .

Edited by gary333 (Mon 30-Nov-20 10:26:28)