How to view the number of Wi-Fi users on a TP-Link router: all the methods

Have you noticed that your internet has become slower, or do you suspect that your TP-Link Are strangers connecting? There are several ways to find out the number of Wi-Fi users on a router of this brand—from simply viewing it through a mobile app to analyzing network traffic. In this article, we'll cover all the relevant methods, including hidden web interface features and the command line, and explain how to distinguish legitimate devices from fake ones.

It is important to understand that the number of connected gadgets affects not only the speed of the Internet, but also network security. For example, if your router TP-Link Archer C6 or TL-WR841N If more devices are connected than expected, this could indicate a password breach or a configuration vulnerability. We'll show you how to not only count users but also block unwanted connections.

This article is suitable for most models. TP-Link, including popular series Archer, TL-WR, Deco And OmadaHowever, the interface and available features may differ slightly depending on the firmware version. If your router model was released before 2018, some options (for example, Guest Network 2.0) may be absent.

1. Checking via the router's web interface (the most reliable method)

Web interface TP-Link provides the most complete information about connected devices, including their MAC addresses, IP, and even activity history. To access it, you'll need any browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) and access to the router's local network.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Connect to the router's network via Wi-Fi or cable Ethernet.
2. In the address bar of your browser, enter 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (for some models TP-Link can be used tplinkwifi.net).
3. Enter your login and password (usually by default admin/admin, if you haven't changed it).
4. Go to the section Wireless mode → Wireless Statistics.

Here you'll see a table with active connections. Note the columns:

• 🔹 Host Name — the name of the device (if it broadcasts it, for example, iPhone-12-Pro or Samsung-Galaxy-S22).
• 🔹 MAC Address - a unique identifier (it can be used to identify the device manufacturer through online services such as MAC Vendors Lookup).
• 🔹 RX/Packets — the number of received/transmitted packets (helps identify devices that are actively consuming traffic).
• 🔹 Signal Strength — signal level (a weak signal may indicate that the device is behind a wall or outside).

Compare the number of devices with the expected number | View unknown MAC addresses | Check devices with a weak signal (possible "neighbors") | Pay attention to high RX traffic (maybe a virus or torrent)

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TP-Link models with firmware newer than v5.0.0 (2021+) display a graph of device activity over the past 24 hours in the statistics. This helps identify "night guests" connecting to your network while you're away.

⚠️ Note: If you see in the list of devices Unknown in the column Host Name, this doesn't always mean hacking. Some gadgets (such as smart light bulbs or cameras) don't broadcast their names. Compare the MAC address with your device list.

2. Using the Tether mobile app

Application TP-Link Tether (available for Android And iOS) simplifies router management and allows you to quickly check connected devices even without accessing the web interface. This is convenient if you're in another room or want to quickly block a suspicious user.

How to view the list of devices via Tether:

1. Download and install the application from App Store or Google Play.
2. Register or log in to your account TP-Link ID (linked to the router).
3. Select your router from the list of devices.
4. Go to the section Devices or Clients (in the English version).

Advantages of the method:

• 📱 Yes, you can. turn off the device with one tap (function Block).
• 🔄 Automatic list update (no need to reload the page).
• 🛡️ Possibility to customize parental control for individual gadgets.

Flaws:

• ⚠️ Not all models TP-Link supported (for example, older routers of the series TL-WR740N may not be displayed in Tether).
• 📶 Requires connection to the same network as the router (cannot be checked remotely).

Via web interface|Tether mobile app|Command line|Special programs (e.g., Wireless Network Watcher)|Not tested

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⚠️ Attention: In the attachment Tether Sometimes "ghost" devices are displayed—gadgets that were previously connected but are now inactive. To clear the list, reboot the router Settings → System → Restart.

3. Windows Command Prompt (for advanced users)

If you have a computer running Windowsconnected to the router's network, you can use the command line to scan the local network. This method will not show devices connected via Wi-Fi to other router networks (for example, to a guest network), but it will help identify active hosts on your main network.

Instructions:

1. Open Command line as administrator (click Win + X → Terminal (Administrator)).
2. Enter the command to view the ARP table:

   arp -a

   This command will show all IP addresses that your computer has interacted with recently.

3. To get a more complete list, first ping the entire local network range (e.g. for network 192.168.0.0/24):

   for /L %i in (1,1,254) do ping -n 1 192.168.0.%i

   Then run it again arp -a.

What you will see in the results:

• 🌐 IP addresses all active devices on the network.
• 🔧 MAC addresses (physical addresses of devices).
• 🔄 Connection type (dynamic or static).

To determine the manufacturer of a device by its MAC address, copy the first 6 characters (e.g. B0:BE:76) and check them through the service MAC VendorsThis will help identify suspicious gadgets (for example, if a device with a MAC from suddenly appears on your network) Xiaomi, and you don’t have such devices).

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4. Third-party network monitoring programs

If there are built-in tools TP-Link If that's not enough, you can use specialized utilities. They scan the network and display all connected devices, including those that may be hidden in the router's standard interface.

Popular programs:

• 🖥️ Wireless Network Watcher (from NirSoft) is a free utility that shows IP, MAC, device name and manufacturer.
• 📊 Angry IP Scanner — scans a range of IP addresses and identifies active hosts.
• 🛡️ GlassWire — monitors network traffic and identifies suspicious activity.
• 🌐 Fing (mobile version available) – scans the network and provides detailed information about each device.

Example of use Wireless Network Watcher:

1. Download the program from the official website NirSoft (check the file for viruses!).
2. Run the utility as administrator.
3. Click Start Scanning — the program will automatically detect your network range.
4. In 10-30 seconds, you will receive a list of all devices with their MAC addresses and manufacturers.

The advantage of third-party programs is that they often show more data, than the router's web interface. For example, GlassWire can detect devices that connect to your network for short periods of time (for example, to download data).

⚠️ Attention: Some antivirus programs (for example, Kaspersky or Avast) may block network scanners, considering them potentially dangerous. Add the program to the exceptions list or temporarily disable protection during the scan.

5. Checking via the guest network (if enabled)

Many routers TP-Link support the function guest network — a separate Wi-Fi network with limited access to local resources. If you use this, devices on the main and guest networks will be counted separately. This is useful if you want to separate traffic or restrict access for guests.

How to check connections on a guest network:

1. Go to the router's web interface (192.168.0.1).
2. Go to Wireless Mode → Guest Network.
3. Enable display of statistics (if the option is available) or view the list of connected devices in the section DHCP → DHCP Clients.

Guest network features:

• 🔒 Devices on the guest network they don't see devices on the main network (and vice versa).
• 📶 You can set a separate password and time limit.
• 🛑 Easily disconnect all guests with one click (useful if you forgot the password for the guest network).

How to hide a guest network from strangers?

In the guest network settings (Wireless → Guest Network) check the box next to Hide SSIDAfter this, the network will no longer appear in the list of available Wi-Fi networks, but you can still connect to it if you know the name (SSID) and password.

If you notice that unknown devices have connected to the guest network, this may mean that:

• 🔑 The password is too simple (for example, 12345678 or qwerty).
• 📢 One of the guests shared the password with third parties.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Your router is vulnerable to attacks like WPS brute-force (if WPS is enabled).

6. Traffic analysis and identification of "invisible" users

Sometimes devices connect to the router but do not appear in the standard lists (for example, if they use a static IP or are connected via Ethernet). In this case, network traffic analysis will help.

Ways to identify hidden connections:

• 📈 Viewing router logs: in the web interface, go to System → System LogLook for records of new DHCP leases or suspicious requests.
• 🔍 Using WiresharkThis program intercepts all packets on the network and allows you to detect unauthorized activity. Suitable for experienced users.
• 🛡️ Setting up a firewall: V TP-Link You can block all incoming connections except for allowed MAC addresses (Wireless Mode → MAC Filtering).

Example of analysis through Wireshark:

1. Download and install Wireshark from the official website.
2. Select a network interface (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
3. Run a packet capture and filter traffic by protocol DHCP or ARP.
4. Look for requests from unknown MAC addresses.

If you find a suspicious device but are not sure it belongs to someone else, try:

• 🔌 Turn it off for a while via the web interface and see if the problem with slow internet goes away.
• 📞 Ask your household, whether they have connected new gadgets (sometimes smart watches or fitness bracelets appear online unexpectedly).

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7. How to block unwanted users

If you have identified foreign devices on your network, you need to block them. TP-Link provides several ways to do this:

Method 1: Blocking by MAC address

1. In the web interface, go to Wireless Mode → MAC Filtering.
2. Select mode Blacklist (Blacklist).
3. Add the MAC address of the suspicious device.
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

Method 2: Change your Wi-Fi password

The most reliable way to get rid of all unwanted connections is to change the network password:

1. Go to Wireless Mode → Security Settings.
2. In the field PSK password Enter a new complex password (it is recommended to use at least 12 characters with letters, numbers and special characters).
3. Select encryption type WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK (if supported).
4. Save the changes - all devices will be disconnected and will need to reconnect.

Method 3: Disabling WPS

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is a vulnerable feature often used to hack routers. Disable it:

1. Go to Wireless Mode → WPS Settings.
2. Select Disable WPS.
3. Save the settings.

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8. Prevention of unauthorized access

To minimize the risk of connecting foreign devices to your TP-Link, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Use a complex password (example: k7#pL9!vN2@qR5). Avoid simple combinations like 12345678 or dates of birth.
• 🔄 Update your firmware regularly router (in the web interface: System → Firmware Update).
• 📡 Disable SSID broadcasting, if you don't want your network to be visible in the list of available ones (but you'll have to enter the network name manually).
• ⏳ Set up a Wi-Fi schedule (For example, turn off the internet at night). This will reduce the risk of someone connecting while you're away.
• 🛡️ Turn on the firewall and disable remote control of the router (if you are not using it).

Additional security measures:

• 🌐 Create a separate network for IoT devices (smart bulbs, cameras, sockets). This will protect the main network if one of the devices is hacked.
• 📱 Use two-factor authentication to access the router's web interface (if supported by the model).
• 🔍 Check the list of devices periodically (once a month) for unknown connections.

⚠️ Attention: If your router TP-Link supports the function HomeShield (available in models Archer AX And Deco), turn it on. It automatically scans the network for vulnerabilities and blocks suspicious activity.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices on TP-Link

❓ Why is an unknown device named "Android-XXXX" displayed in the list of devices?

This could be:

• 📱 The device of a guest who connected to your network (for example, a friend or relative).
• 🤖 A smart device (e.g. a TV on Android TV or media player).
• ⚠️ Someone else's device, if the Wi-Fi password has become known to strangers.

Check your MAC address using the service MAC Vendors - if the manufacturer Xiaomi, Samsung or another well-known brand, it's most likely a legitimate device. If the manufacturer is unknown or from China (for example, Shenzhen Bilian), this is a reason to be wary.

❓ Is it possible to find out what websites a device connected to my router is visiting?

Yes, but this requires additional settings:

1. In the web interface TP-Link turn on traffic logging (System → Journal).
2. Use third party programs like GlassWire or Wireshark for deep analysis.
3. Set up DNS redirection for service like OpenDNS, which keeps a log of visited websites.

Please note that collecting such information may violate privacy laws if you do not warn network users.

❓ How do I limit internet speed for individual devices?

In routers TP-Link this is done through the function QoS (Quality of Service):

1. Go to Additional settings → QoS.
2. Turn on QoS and select the mode By IP/MAC.
3. Add a rule for the desired device and set a speed limit (for example, 5 Mbps).

You can also use parental control (Additional settings → Parental controls) to limit internet access time for specific gadgets.

❓ Why don't some devices connect after changing my Wi-Fi password?

This is a typical problem associated with:

• 📱 Cached settings on the device (for example, on Android you need to forget the network and connect again).
• 🖨️ Outdated firmware on smart devices (printers, TVs).
• 🔒 Incompatible encryption type (for example, the old device does not support WPA3).

Solution: Try to temporarily enable WPA2/WPA3 (mixed mode) or manually add the network on the problematic device.

❓ Is it possible to find out the number of Wi-Fi users on a TP-Link without accessing the router?

No, if you don't have access to the web interface or app Tether, then it is impossible to obtain complete information. However, it is possible:

• 🖥️ Use command line (arp -a) on the connected PC (will show only active devices in your network segment).
• 📱 Install on your phone Fing app - it scans the network and shows connected devices.

However, these methods will not provide a complete picture, as they will not show devices on the guest network or those connected via cable to other router ports.