How to Check Who's Connected to Your TP-Link Wi-Fi: 5 Working Methods

Have you noticed your internet has slowed down, and your data plan is running out suspiciously quickly? Perhaps unauthorized devices have connected to your Wi-Fi. Routers TP-Link — are among the most popular in Russia, but even they are not immune to unauthorized access. In this article, we'll look at how check the list of connected devices to your network, identify "foreign" gadgets and block them.

Testing methods depend on the router model and firmware. We'll cover universal methods that work on most devices. TP-Link (including Archer C6, TL-WR841N, Deco and others). You won't need any special software—just access to your router settings or a mobile app. If you've never accessed the control panel before, don't worry: we'll explain every step in detail.

The web interface is the "brain" of your router, where all settings are stored. To access it, you'll need any device (computer, phone, or tablet) connected to your Wi-Fi network. Follow these instructions:

  1. Find out your router's IP address. Usually it is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1If these addresses don't work, check the sticker on the bottom of the router - it says Default IP.
  2. Open your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) and enter the IP address in the address bar. Click Enter.
  3. Enter your login and passwordBy default this is admin/admin or admin/[empty]If you changed the data, use your own.

After logging in, you'll be taken to the main menu. Further steps depend on your firmware version:

  • 🔹 New firmware (blue/green interface): go to Advanced Settings → Network → DHCP Clients or Wireless Mode → Wireless Mode Statistics.
  • 🔹 Old firmware (black and white interface): open Wireless → Wireless Statistics or DHCP → DHCP Clients List.

In the table, you'll see all the devices connected to your Wi-Fi. Note the columns:

Field What does it mean? Example of meaning
Host Name Device name (if configured) iPhone-12-Pro, DESKTOP-ABC123
MAC Address Unique physical address of the device 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
IP Address Local IP assigned by the router 192.168.0.105
Interface Connection type (Wi-Fi or cable) 2.4GHz, 5GHz, LAN

If there are devices with unfamiliar names or MAC addresses in the list, you can block them directly from this menu (the "Block" option).

Check if you are connected to your router's Wi-Fi|Disable your VPN or proxy in your browser|Try a different browser (like Edge)|Reset your router using the Reset button if you forgot your password-->

2. Using the Tether mobile app

If you find it inconvenient to access settings through a browser, use the official app TP-Link TetherIt's free and works on Android And iOSThe app's advantage is its user-friendly interface and the ability to manage the router remotely (if enabled).

How to check connected devices via Tether:

  1. Download and install the application from App Store or Google Play.
  2. Launch Tether and select your router from the list (if it is not there, click Add a device and enter login/password).
  3. Go to the section Devices or Clients (the name may differ depending on the router model).

In the application you will see:

  • 📱 List of all connected gadgets with names and MAC addresses.
  • 📊 Graph of traffic usage by each device (useful for identifying "gluttonous" clients).
  • 🔒 Block unknown devices button.

The app also shows which network (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) each device is connected to. This helps optimize bandwidth usage if you have a dual-band router.

3. Checking via a command in Windows (for advanced users)

If you have a computer with Windows, connected to the router, you can use the command line to analyze the network. This method won't show all devices (only those actively exchanging data), but it will help identify suspicious activity.

Open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter) and run the command:

arp -a

You'll see a table with the IP and MAC addresses of devices on your local network. Compare them with the list in the router's web interface. If you find any discrepancies, this is cause for concern.

For a more detailed analysis, use the command:

net view

It will show the names of computers on the network (if they are configured for public access). The downside of this method is that it doesn't see devices that aren't responding to requests (such as smartphones or smart speakers).

What should I do if the arp -a command shows many unknown addresses?

This is normal—the ARP table may still contain entries for devices that have been disconnected for a long time. To clear the cache, run arp -d, then again arp -aIf unknown addresses remain, check them through the router's web interface.

4. How to distinguish your devices from others

You found an unfamiliar device on the list—what now? Before blocking it, make sure it's not yours. Here's how to identify "friends":

  • 🔍 Check device names. Often they contain a model (for example, Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-10, Samsung-SM-G975F).
  • 🔢 MAC addressThe first 6 characters (OUI) indicate the manufacturer. For example:
    • 00:1A:79 — Samsung
    • 3C:5A:B4 — Google (Pixel, Nest)
    • B8:27:EB — Raspberry Pi
  • 📱 Turn off your devices one by one and watch which one from the list disappears.

If the device is suspicious but you are not sure, use services like MAC Vendors or Wireshark to identify the manufacturer by MAC address. For example, if a device with a MAC address appears on the network 5C:CF:7F, it could be Apple (iPhone, MacBook), and 78:31:C1 — Xiaomi.

Once a month|Only when the internet is slow|Never checked|After every suspicious incident-->

5. Blocking third-party devices

Found a "stranger" online? There are three ways to block them:

  1. Via the web interface:
    • Go to Wireless Mode → MAC Filter.
    • Add the MAC address of the unknown device to the blacklist.
    • Save the settings and reboot the router.
  2. Via the Tether app:
    • Find the device in the list of clients.
    • Click on it and select Block.
  • Changing your Wi-Fi password:
    • This is a radical but effective method. All devices will be disconnected, and you'll have to reconnect them.
    • Go to Wireless Mode → Security Settings and change the password.

      • If foreign devices appear regularly, it is worth turning on MAC address filtering in "Allow only specified" mode. To do this:

      1. In the web interface, go to Wireless Mode → MAC Filter.
      2. Select mode Allow (Allow).
      3. Add the MAC addresses of all your devices (you can find them in the settings of each gadget).
      4. Save the settings.

    6. Additional security measures

    Even if your network is currently free of intruders, that doesn't guarantee future security. Here's what you can do to prevent it:

    • 🔐 Change the default router passwordMany people leave admin/admin, which makes the device vulnerable to hacking.
    • 📶 Disable WPSThis feature simplifies connection, but has vulnerabilities. Find it in Wireless Mode → WPS Settings and deactivate.
    • 🔄 Update your router firmwareManufacturers regularly patch security holes. Check the latest version in System Tools → Firmware Update.
    • 🌐 Create a guest networkIf you have frequent guests, give them access to a separate network with limited rights (no access to local resources).

      • Another useful tip: enable connection loggingSome models TP-Link Allows you to log device activity. To do this:

      1. Go to System Tools → System Log.
      2. Enable the option Logging Wi-Fi connections.
      3. Specify an email address to send notifications to (if supported).

      Now you will receive notifications every time a new device connects to the network.

      7. What to do if nothing helps

      Have you tried everything, but strange devices still appear on your network? Perhaps the problem is more serious:

      • 🕵️‍♂️ Your router has been hacked.Some viruses (eg. Mirai) can access the settings and open the network to outsiders. In this case, only full reset (button Reset on the back panel) and reflashing.
      • 📡 Neighbors are using your Wi-Fi because of a weak password.If your password is simple (for example, 12345678), it's easy to guess. Generate a new password using a password manager (for example, KeePass or Bitwarden).
      • 🔌 PLT (Plug and Loop)If you use adapters Powerline, the signal may leak to neighboring power lines. Check if any devices are connected to your network via a cable.

      If you suspect a hack, follow these steps:

      1. Disconnect the router from the Internet (remove the WAN cable).
      2. Reset settings with the button Reset (hold for 10 seconds).
      3. Connect to the router via cable and change the administrator password.
      4. Update your firmware to the latest version.
      5. Reconfigure your network using strong passwords.

      Attention: If unknown devices reappear on the network after a reset, the router may be infected with malware. In this case, please contact support. TP-Link or consider replacing the device.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices

      Is it possible to find out what websites a connected device visits?

      Yes, but you need to enable it for that. traffic logging in the router settings (section System Tools → Diagnostics or Logs). However, this feature is not available on all models. TP-LinkAn alternative is to use specialized software like Wireshark (requires networking skills).

      Attention: Tracking other devices' traffic may violate privacy laws. Use this feature only for monitoring your own devices.

      Why do unfamiliar MAC addresses with names like "Android-" or "Unknown" appear in the list of devices?

      These could be:

      • Smart devices (lamps, sockets, speakers) that you forgot to take into account.
      • Guest devices that were previously connected (MAC addresses may remain in the router cache).
      • Provider's service devices (if you have IP-TV or a telephone line through a router).

      To check, disconnect all your devices from the network and see if the "foreign" addresses remain. If so, this is cause for concern.

      How can I check if my neighbor is stealing my Wi-Fi if he has the same password?

      If you suspect that a neighbor is connecting to your network because of a matching password (for example, the default 12345678), do the following:

      1. Change the network name (SSID) to unique (for example, Ivanov_Family_5GHz).
      2. Change your password to a complex one (use a password generator).
      3. Enable MAC address filtering.
      4. Set up IP to MAC binding (chapter DHCP → Address Reservation).

      After this, third-party devices will not be able to connect, even if they learn the new password.

      Is it possible to see connected devices via a TP-Link 4G/5G modem?

      Yes, the process is similar. Go to the modem's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.8.1), then go to the section Statistics or DevicesIn mobile modems (for example, TP-Link M7350) the list of clients can be displayed on the main page.

      What should I do if my TP-Link router doesn't show connected devices?

      Possible causes and solutions:

      • 🔄 Outdated firmware - update it in the section System tools.
      • 🛠️ Router failure - reboot it (turn off the power for 30 seconds).
      • 📡 DHCP server is disabled - check the settings in Network → DHCP.
      • 🔌 The devices are connected via cable - they can be displayed in another section (for example, LAN).

      Regularly checking connected devices is a simple way to protect your network from unauthorized access. If you notice suspicious activity, don't delay blocking or changing the password. Remember: the more complex your password and the more frequently you update your router firmware, the lower the risk of hacking.

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