TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter TL-WN821N TL-WN821NC Rev: 4.2.
COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS Specifications are subject to change without notice. is a registered trademark of TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. No part of the specifications may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative such as translation, transformation, or adaptation without permission from TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Copyright © 2014 TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
FCC STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
CE Mark Warning This is a class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures. Canadian Compliance Statement This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)This device may not cause interference, and (2)This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
即停用，並改善至無干擾時方得繼續使用。前項合法通信，指依電信規定作業之無線電信。低功 率射頻電機需忍受合法通信或工業、科學以及醫療用電波輻射性電機設備之干擾。 減少電磁波影響，請妥適使用。 安全諮詢及注意事項 ●請使用原裝電源供應器或只能按照本產品注明的電源類型使用本產品。 ●清潔本產品之前請先拔掉電源線。請勿使用液體、噴霧清潔劑或濕布進行清潔。 ●注意防潮，請勿將水或其他液體潑灑到本產品上。 ●插槽與開口供通風使用，以確保本產品的操作可靠並防止過熱，請勿堵塞或覆蓋開口。 ●請勿將本產品置放於靠近熱源的地方。除非有正常的通風，否則不可放在密閉位置中。 ●請不要私自打開機殼，不要嘗試自行維修本產品，請由授權的專業人士進行此項工作。 Продукт сертифіковано згідно с правилами системи УкрСЕПРО на відповідність вимогам нормативних документів та вимогам, що передбачені чинними законодавчими актами України.
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY For the following equipment: Product Description: 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Model No.
CONTENTS Package Contents .................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 Product Overview ................................................................................. 2 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Features..................................................................................................................... 2 1.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Package Contents Please verify that all the package contents below are available. One TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Quick Installation Guide One USB cable or USB cradle One Resource CD for TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC, including: • • • TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility (TWCU) and Drivers User Guide Other helpful information Make sure that the above items are contained in the package.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 1 Product Overview 1.1 Introduction The adapter is a 802.11n client device designed to deliver a high-speed and unrivaled wireless performance for your desktop. With a faster wireless connection, you can get a better Internet experience, such as downloading, gaming, video streaming. With the 802.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 1.3 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Hardware Overview LED status: Status Off Working Status The driver has not been installed; The adapter's radio has been disabled. Flashing Slowly The driver has been installed but no data is being transmitted or received. Flashing Quickly Data is being transmitted or received. Note: When the card failed to connect to a wireless network, the LED may be off. Please choose your network and try to connect again.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 2 Installation 2.1 Hardware Installation 1. Locate an available USB interface on your computer. 2. Connect the adapter and your computer with the USB cable contained in the package. Note: The prompted Found New Hardware Wizard screen will pop up when the adapter is installed correctly. Click Cancel. 2.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 2-1 2. 3. The InstallShield Wizard window will appear. Click Next to continue. Figure 2-2 Choose a setup type. It is recommended to select Install TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility and Driver. Selecting Install Driver Only will only install driver. Click Next to continue.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 2-3 4. Click Change… to specify the destination location for the software or you can leave it default. Click Next in the screen below to continue. Figure 2-4 5. Click Install to continue the setup.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 2-5 6. The utility and drivers will install. This may take 1~2 minutes. Figure 2-6 7. After all the steps above, you will see the screen below. Click Finish to complete the setup.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 2-7 8. After installation, the utility configuration page will automatically pop up as shown in the following figure and the icon will appear in your system tray. To connect to a network, please refer to Chapter 3 Connect to a Wireless Network.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 3 Connect to a Wireless Network With both the hardware and software successfully installed into your computer, you can quickly connect to a wireless network using one of the following methods. Method One: To connect using TWCU (TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility) TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC uses the TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility as the management software.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-1 2. The Network page will display all wireless networks that are available in your area. To connect to a network, simply highlight the wireless network name (SSID) and click Connect. If you tick Connect automatically, the adapter will automatically connect to your target network next time. Figure 3-2 3. You will be prompted different windows when you choose wireless network of different security types.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter can push the WPS/QSS button on your Router (if it features the WPS/QSS function) to quickly build a connection without entering the security key (password). Figure 3-3 Note: The security key (password) can be found on the configuration page of your Router or Access Point.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 3) 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-5 Wireless network of None If you selected a wireless network of None (that is, no security is set.), you can get directly connected to this network without any further configuration. 4. Please wait a few minutes for the connection process. 5. Figure 3-6 You have now successfully connected to your network. Click Close to enjoy the Internet.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 6. 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter To view more information about the network currently connected, click Status in the tools section and the page will display information such as the network type, link quality and wireless mode. Figure 3-8 3.2 To connect using WPS WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) function allows you to add a new wireless device to an existing network quickly.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter 2. Press the WPS button on the adapter. There are two ways: Method One： Press and hold the WPS button on the adapter directly for 2~3 seconds until Figure 3-11 X appears. Figure 3-9 Method Two: Open TWCU and click WPS tab. Select Push the button on my access point or wireless router and then click Connect. Figure 3-10 3. The adapter will be connecting to the target network.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-11 4. When the following window appears, you have successfully connected to the network. Figure 3-12 3.2.2 PIN method There are two ways to configure the WPS by PIN method: 1) Enter the PIN from your AP device. 2) Enter a PIN into your AP device. Following are detailed configuration procedures of each way. 3.2.2.1. Enter the PIN from your AP device 1. Open TWCU and click WPS tab.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-13 2. The adapter will be connecting to the target network. Figure 3-14 3. When Figure 3-12 appears, you have successfully connected to the network. 3.2.2.2. Enter a PIN into your AP device 1. Open TWCU and click WPS tab. Select Enter the PIN of this device into my access point or wireless router. In the field beside PIN, you will see the PIN value of the adapter which is randomly generated. Click Connect to continue.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 2. 3. 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-15 Open your router’s Web-based Utility and click WPS link on the left of the main menu. Then click Add device and the following figure will appear. Enter the PIN value of the adapter in the empty field beside PIN and then click Connect. Figure 3-16 When Connect successfully appears on the screen, the WPS configuration is complete.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-18 3.3 To connect using Windows built-in wireless utility 3.3.1 In Windows 7 Windows 7 users may use the built-in wireless utility. Follow the steps below. 1. Left-click the wireless icon in your system tray (lower-right corner). The utility will display any available wireless networks in your area. Highlight the wireless network (displayed using the SSID) to be connected and then click Connect. Figure 3-19 2.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter point (You will be prompted to push the button on the window if WPS function is supported as shown in the figure below). If the network to be connected is not secure, the connection will be built without entering a key. Figure 3-20 3. You have now successfully connected to the network. Figure 3-21 3.3.2 In Windows 8 Windows 8 users may use the built-in wireless utility. Follow the steps below. 1.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-22 2. If the network is unencrypted, you will directly connect to it. If the network is encrypted, enter the password (network security key) and then click Next to continue. Figure 3-23 Note: You can also push the WPS/QSS button on your router as hinted “You can also connect by pushing the button on the router”. Then click Next to continue. 3.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Note: If the adapter is connected to the network for the first time, you will be asked whether to turn on sharing or connect to devices. Please select “Yes, ...”or “No, ...” according to your Internet environment. Figure 3-25 3.3.3 In Windows Vista Windows Vista users may use the built-in wireless utility. Follow the steps below. 1.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-27 3. If the network you would like to connect is security-enabled, enter the same security key or passphrase that is on your router. If the network to be connected is not secure, the connection will be built without entering a key. Figure 3-28 4. You have now successfully connected to the network.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-29 3.3.4 In Windows XP Windows XP users may use the built-in wireless utility. Follow the steps below. 1. Right-click on the utility icon in your system tray (lower-right corner). Select Switch to Windows wireless configuration tool. Figure 3-30 Or double-click the utility icon to load the utility configuration page.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-31 Figure 3-32 2. Right-click on the wireless computer icon in your system tray (lower-right corner). Select View Available Wireless Networks. Figure 3-33 3. The utility will display any available wireless networks in your area. Click on a network (displayed using the SSID) and click the Connect button.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-34 4. If the network is security-enabled, you will be prompted to enter the key as shown below. If not, you will connect to the network directly without entering a key. Figure 3-35 3.3.5 In Windows 8.1 Windows 8.1 users may use the built-in wireless utility. Follow the steps below. 1. Click the icon at the bottom of your screen, and a network list will appear at the right side of your screen.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-36 2. If the network is unencrypted, you will directly connect to it. If the network is encrypted, enter the password (network security key) and then click Next to continue. Figure 3-37 Note: 1) You can also push the WPS/QSS button on your router as hinted “You can also connect by pushing the button on the router”. Then click Next to continue.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-38 3. When Connected appears behind the SSID (as shown below), you have successfully connected to the target network. Figure 3-39 Note: If the adapter is connected to the network for the first time, you will be asked whether to connect to devices. Please select “Yes” or “No” according to your Internet environment.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 3-40 28
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 4 Management This section will show you how to configure your TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC adapter using the TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility (TWCU). The TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC adapter uses the TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility as the management software. The utility provides users with an easy interface to change any settings related to the adapter. Double-clicking on the 4.1 icon on your desktop will start the utility.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 4-2 Figure 4-3 Figure 4-4 30
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 4-5 Figure 4-6 The following items can be found on the screen. Profile Name: Enter a name for your profile (e.g. CoffeeShop, Home, Office). The same name is not allowed. Please also note that no space is allowed between words. SSID: Select the target network from the drop-down list. Network Type: Select the network type. If you are connecting to a wireless router or access point, select Infrastructure.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter wireless adapter. While in ad hoc mode, it is recommended that you select WEP to secure your wireless network. Note: In Infrastructure mode, you will see Figure 4-3 if you selected the security type WEP; you will see Figure 4-4 if you selected the security type WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK. While, if you selected the security type WPA/WPA2 (-Enterprise), Figure 4-5 or Figure 4-6 will be displayed.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 4-7 4.1.2 Modify a profile Figure 4-8 You may edit an existing profile by clicking the Modify button from the Profile page. For instance, you may like to change the profile name from Home to Home1 or you may want to specify another SSID for profile Home. After all the changes, click Save to make the changes take effect.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter 4.1.3 Delete a profile To delete an existing profile, highlight the profile name and click Remove on the bottom of the screen or press the Delete button on your keyboard. When the following figure appears, click OK to continue. 4.2 Advanced Figure 4-10 The following configurations can be made on the Advanced page: 1) To select wireless configuration tool.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 4.3 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter About The About screen gives you information about the Driver and Utility versions of the adapter. Right-click on the icon in your system tray and select About from the list.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 5 AP Mode In Soft AP mode, the adapter will work as an AP. Suppose that only one computer in your house can access the Internet for various reasons like only one WLAN port is available on your wired broadband router, however, other wireless-capable devices also want to share the Internet. Then the adapter can be configured as an AP under the Soft AP mode, saving you the trouble of having to get a separate access point or a router.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter The Soft AP icon should then appear beside Advanced icon in the utility. Figure 5-3 SoftAP mode: Select to enable or disable the function. Internet Connecting Share(ICS): Specify a connection through which devices connected to your AP can access the Internet. SSID: Enter the name for your soft AP (for example, Jone) so that others can know which AP is yours when trying to connect to it. The default name (SSID) is “tp-link”.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Chapter 6 Uninstall Software 6.1 In Windows XP/Vista/7 The software uninstall steps are similar in Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, here we just use Windows 7 as an example. 6.1.1 Uninstall the utility software from your PC 1. 2. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, click All programsTP-LINK, and then click Uninstall-TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 6-3 6.1.2 Uninstall the driver software from your PC 1. 2. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button, click All programsTP-LINK, and then click Uninstall-300Mbps Wireless USB Adapter Driver. Figure 6-4 Uninstall Driver Following the steps, then the system will uninstall the driver software of the adapter from your PC.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 6.2 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter In Windows 8/8.1 The software uninstall steps are similar in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Here we just use Windows 8 as an example. 6.2.1 Uninstall the utility software from your PC 1. Enter the Metro interface，right-click any blank place in the Metro interface, then App Bar will appear below the Metro interface, click All apps. Find the TP-LINK application, and click Uninstall- TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility. Figure 6-5 2.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 6-7 4. Click Finish when the figure below appears. Figure 6-8 6.2.2 Uninstall the driver software from your PC 1. Enter the Metro interface，right-click any blank place in the Metro interface, then App Bar will appear below the Metro interface, click All apps. Find the TP-LINK application, and click Uninstall-300Mbps Wireless USB Adapter Driver.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 6-9 2. Click Yes to start uninstalling the driver software from your PC. Figure 6-10 3. It may take a few minutes to undergo the whole un-installation process. Figure 6-11 4. Click Finish when the figure below appears.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Figure 6-12 43
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Appendix A: Specifications Normal Interface USB 2.0 Interface Standards IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b Button Wi-fi Protected Setup (WPS) Button (QSS Compatible) Operating System Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 32/64bit Throughput 300Mbps (Maximal) 11b: 1/2/5.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Appendix B: Glossary 802.11b - The 802.11b standard specifies a wireless product networking at 11 Mbps using direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) technology and operating in the unlicensed radio spectrum at 2.4GHz, and WEP encryption for security. 802.11b networks are also referred to as Wi-Fi networks. 802.
TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter Spread Spectrum - Spread Spectrum technology is a wideband radio frequency technique developed by the military for use in reliable, secure, mission-critical communications systems. It is designed to trade off bandwidth efficiency for reliability, integrity, and security.
