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I want to get t'internet down to the shed, that has mains power and is about 100 yards from the wi fi router at the front of the house.
I had a couple of Powerline adaptors from a Talk Talk freeview box, and gave that a go but got
"Ethernet doesn't have a valid IP configuration"
I have googled this message, but I think the problem is that the Powerline adaptor at the router is connected into the upstairs socket ring main, and the shed power uses an armoured cable that comes from a spare connection in the fuse box that previously was used for an immersion heater i.e. separate circuits.
Can anyone confirm this - and if so any other suggestions to get internet down there besides running Cat 5 or better through the house and garden...?
I have my workshop powerline on a different circuit and it works fine. From that error message I would suspect something else but not sure what. Does it work if you plug it into the same circuit? That would tell you if it is an issue
I got some TP link powereline routers about 3 weeks ago after Wi-Fi kept dropping out. One is on the downstairs ring main whilst the other is on the upstairs ring main. Getting a reliable 70mb connection, which is fine for video calling.
Have you tested them on the same circuit and if that works then try them on the upstairs and downstairs circuit, to see if that works. If both of those work then it would suggest the issue is with the circuit to the shed. Good luck.
Are the 2 powerline adapters synced to each other? By which I mean: have you followed the process to bind them together, and are the sync lights lit?
Many thanks above - a quick googleskim raised the point about different circuits, but that doesn't seem to be STW experience, don't believe everything/anything you read on the internet (unless of course it is from here).
"Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration" This seems to involve changeing a lot of settings in my computer, which is why I held back. I will check out the connection on the same ring main, change the settings if needed and then try the shed.
Thanks again - will report back !
It won't work if the Shed is on a separate circuits as you point out. Your other option would be wifi boosters like the deco system https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/
Not sure what the range is though. Sure a bit of research will find out if there is a viable booster option.
Like codybrennan mentioned are the synchronisation lights working on the adaptors? On mine I had to plug both in and power them on, press a button on the transmitter/master then run upstairs and press the button on the receiver/slave. Bit of flashing of LEDs and they can see each other.
If you're getting an error on the laptop that could simply be an issues with the network setup/stack on the laptop. The powerline adaptor may be running fine.
100 yards is bumping up against the 100m maximum range for Cat 5/6, and the range over powerline may be less, so even if you end up running cable you'd be safer with fibre.
This topic was done a while back, from what I recall there are some wireless point to point options.
I have done the pressing running and pairing steps but couldn't get the right lights lit as directed in the pamphlet, so thought it was the settings....but Mr Feed above seems to confirm my initial findings about separate circuits not working ?
It won’t work if the Shed is on a separate circuits as you point out.
I've got a set of TP-link adaptors that work on configuration as described. not very stable and drops VPN quite a bit but ok for most other stuff.
get them setup on the same circuit first to eliminate that.
It won’t work if the Shed is on a separate circuits as you point out.
Did Eamonn Holmes tell you that 😊
It does require a shared earth but does not have to be on the same circuit. 100m though could well be beyond range. Set up instructions on ones I've used also say each adapter should be in a wall socket not for example a 4 way extension
That error has nothing to do with the settings on your laptop, it'll be that it is detecting a network connection, but cannot get an IP address via DCHP from your router, because it can't get a connection.
Run command prompt (CMD) and the type 'ipconfig' then press enter.
IPv4 address will most likely start 169.254.xx.x
Basically, you don't have a connection to your router.
I'd suggest looking at a decent wireless AP (access point) - you get get ones that are designed for outdoor use, if your router has PoE (Power over ethernet) then you won't need to plug it into the mains, just ethernet, and they have 100-200m range.
but Mr Feed above seems to confirm my initial findings about separate circuits not working
It depends what you mean by separate circuits. They will work on different circuit breakers within the same consumer unit just fine (upstairs and downstairs sockets e.g. are often separate rings) but they won't work across different phases, and I think different electricity meters - e.g. if the old immersion heater was on an ecconomy meter.
If it works in the house, and not in the shed, and the shed is on the same phase/meter then I'd suspect 100m is too far with the type of cable you have...
Try putting the adapters on the same cct, eg, downstairs in the living room. See if you can sync them. If you can do so, then (and only then) move them to the end locations. Then see if the sync lights are on.
Try putting the adapters on the same cct, eg, downstairs in the living room. See if you can sync them. If you can do so, then (and only then) move them to the end locations. Then see if the sync lights are on.
Ssshhhh! Don’t tell them that! I’m loving that everyone is madly running around the house 😀
I had this issue, a Mesh setup sorted it and some.
I done some reading into these when I wanted wifi to the garage (ended up going with a wifi signal booster) and I seem to remember something about the circuits being on the same RCD if you have a split board. I cant remember the details but might be worth looking into.
Mine is on a different rcd. The workshop has its own. No issue there.
Ssshhhh! Don’t tell them that! I’m loving that everyone is madly running around the house 😀
But they would have done that first wouldn't they, everyone always sets them up that way don't they. Imagine thinking anyone could think there was a different way😊
100yds is pushing it for a set of cheap powerline adapters. Take the setup step by step.
First get it all working next to the router, then start moving the end you want in the shed further and further away from the router, testing the connection and speed as you go. If and when it stops working you'll have your answer.
Thanks for the suggestions - after a lot of time I did manage to create the worlds smallest ethernet network across the front bedroom where the modem is situated, it called itself Network3 but I could not get it to connect to the internet, or get the network again.
The lights on the 2 units seem to be inconsistent, and random each time I try to set them up compared to what is in the Talk Talk instructions. I have decided to try and get another set from them, which appear to be quite different to the older ones I have and will try again when they arrive.
Anyway, thanks for the help - will update on progress !!