How to Find Out Who's Connected to Your TP-Link Wi-Fi Router—and Disable Unwanted Users

• Login: admin
• Password: admin or an empty field (depending on the model)

⚠️ Attention: If you haven't changed your login information, anyone who connects to your Wi-Fi will be able to access your router settings! Change them immediately after your first login..

If the IP address does not open:

• 🔌 Check if you are connected to the router's network (indicator Wi-Fi or LAN should burn).
• 🖥️ On Windows: Open Command line (Win + R → cmd) and enter ipconfig. Look for the line Main gateway - this is the IP of your router.
• 📱 On Android/iOS: Use the app Fing or Wi-Fi Analyzer to scan the network.

2. Where can I see a list of connected devices in TP-Link?

After logging into the control panel, find the section with the device list. Its location depends on the firmware version:

In the list you will see:

• 🖥️ Device name (if it is broadcast - for example, iPhone-12-Pro or DESKTOP-ABC123).
• 🔢 MAC address (unique species identifier 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E).
• 📡 IP address (local, for example 192.168.0.101).
• ⏱️ Connection time (helps identify "night" traffic thieves).

How to distinguish your device from someone else's?

• 📱 Check the MAC addresses of your gadgets:
  • On Windows: ipconfig /all → line Physical address.
  • On Android: Settings → About phone → General information → Wi-Fi MAC address.
  • On iPhone: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) next to the network → MAC address.
• 🔍 Unknown devices often have:
  • Strange names (eg. android_123456 or esp_8266 - it could be a neighbor's smart light bulb).
  • MAC addresses with prefixes Xiaomi, TP-LINK, ESPRESSIF (if you don't have such devices).

Compare MAC addresses with your gadgets|

Check the connection time (night hours are a sign of a thief)|

Watch out for unusual hostnames|

Try turning off the device and see the reaction (has the Internet become faster?)

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3. How to disconnect someone else's device from TP-Link Wi-Fi

If you find a suspicious device, you can block it in several ways. Choose the method based on the situation:

Method 1: Blocking via MAC filtering (permanently)

This is the most secure method, as it locks the device using its unique ID. Instructions:

1. Go to Advanced Settings → Wireless → MAC Filtering.
2. Select mode Blacklist (or Deny (in the English version).
3. Add the MAC address of someone else's device (for example, 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E).
4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

Method 2: Quick Disconnection via Client List

If you need to quickly "kick out" a device without permanent blocking:

• In the list of connected devices (DHCP Clients List) find someone else's gadget.
• Click the button Disconnect or Disable (if there is one).

• ⚠️ Attention: This method is temporary! The device will be able to connect again if it knows the Wi-Fi password. Use this for testing purposes only.

Method 3: Change your Wi-Fi password (radical method)

If you have a lot of unwanted devices or you're not sure which ones are yours:

1. Go to Basic Setup → Wireless Mode.
2. In the field Wi-Fi password Enter a new key (at least 12 characters, with numbers and special characters).
3. Save the settings. All devices will be disconnected, including yours—they will need to be reconnected.

4. Why someone else's device is returned: bypassing blocking

Sometimes, even after blocking the MAC address or changing the password, a third-party device reappears online. Causes and solutions:

Critical vulnerability: If your router supports the feature TP-Link Cloud (remote control), disable it in the section Advanced Settings → Remote ControlIn 2023, more than 200,000 TP-Link devices in Europe were hacked through it.

If you suspect your router has been hacked:

• 🔄 Reset it to factory settings (button Reset for 10 seconds).
• 🔒 Set a new administrator password (not admin!).
• 📥 Update firmware via System Tools → Firmware Update.

5. How to protect your router from re-hacking

Even if you've disabled all unauthorized users, they can return without additional security measures. Follow this checklist:

Change administrator password (not admin!)|

Disable WPS (vulnerable to brute force)|

Enable WPA3 (or WPA2-AES) encryption|

Update firmware to the latest version|

Disable Remote Management (TP-Link Cloud)

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Administrator password (to enter settings) must be different from the Wi-Fi password! Use:

• 🔐 Minimum 12 characters.
• 🔢 Numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, special characters (!@#$%).
• 🚫 No obvious combinations (123456, qwerty, dates of birth).

Wi-Fi security settings:

• 🛡️ Select encryption type: WPA3-Personal (if supported) or WPA2-PSK [AES].
• 🔄 Turn it off WPS - This function is vulnerable to attacks like Reaver.
• 📡 Hide network name (SSID) is pointless - it doesn't protect against hacking, but it complicates legitimate connection.

6. Alternative methods of connection control

If your router's web interface seems complicated, try these methods:

TP-Link Tether mobile app

Download Tether from App Store or Google Play:

• 📱 Connect to the router's network.
• 🔍 In the main menu, select Devices — you will see a list of connected gadgets.
• ❌ To turn off a device, swipe it to the left and press Block.

Third-party monitoring programs

If you need more details (eg traffic consumption):

• 🖥️ Wireless Network Watcher (Windows) - Scans the network and displays all IP/MAC.
• 📱 Fing (Android/iOS) — identifies the device manufacturer by MAC address.
• 📊 GlassWire — tracks which device consumes the most traffic.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like Wi-Fi Kill or NetCut, which promise to "kick out" users, often contain malicious code. Don't install them!

7. What to do if nothing helps

If foreign devices continue to appear despite all measures:

1. Check your router for infection.
   • Symptoms: spontaneous reboot, DNS changes, unknown open ports.
   • Solution: reset the settings and re-flash the router (instructions for your model are available on the website) TP-Link).
2. Use a guest network.
   • Create a separate network for guests in Guest Network → Enable.
   • Limit its speed and access to local devices.

• If the hacking occurs repeatedly, the problem may be on the operator's side (for example, a data leak in the personal account).

Last resort: if the router is old (for example, TP-Link TL-WR740N 2015), its firmware may contain unpatched vulnerabilities. In this case, it is advisable to buy a new model with support WPA3 (For example, Archer AX21).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)