[support]

Thanks for the suggestion. These options can definitely be added, we’ll put that in the to-do list.

[support]

Internet access should have been blocked during blocked time periods. However, if he already has a STEAM session and the game is already on the computer, he probably doesn’t need Internet access to continue playing.

You can check whether Internet is indeed blocked by putting another device in the same profile and try to access steampowered.com from that device. Unfortunately, there’s no way to block game playing from a network device (such as a router) when the game can be played without Internet access. Another example of this is Minecraft, which some parental control device vendors falsely claim that they can block.

[support]

Thanks for the suggestion. We’ll look into that.

BTW, remote access is being worked on right now, and will be available soon.

[support]

@Ksmichael Thanks for your update! To help us improve the Connected Devices info, would you kindly let us know the brands/models for the laptops that didn’t show up?

[support]

@Paul Thanks for bringing the issue to our attention. Can you tell us the specific model of the Realtec USB wireless adapter so that we can do more research on this?

Even when the Status page fail to show a connected device, the filtering associated with a profile might still be effective, as long as the MAC address of the device is correctly identified. Can you check and see if the device is controlled by the profile it’s assigned to? You may add black list URLs or vary the time limits and see if there’s any effect on the computer.

[support]

OpenDNS Family Shield does not block chat, so in theory disabling the two options mentioned above should make Skype work. What problems are you having with Skype? Did you have trouble logging in? What happens when you try to run the Skpye test service?

What kind of problems are you having with the access points? Are the access points connected via wire or wireless?

[support]

Not yet. This is being worked on now and will be made available to existing customers via a firmware update. While we don’t have a definite timeline at this moment, it’s one of the top priority items being worked on. In the meanwhile, existing customers are advised to use the logging provided by OpenDNS (you need to use OpenDNS Home). Notice however, OpenDNS only provides logging for your whole network, not per device.

[support]

@SnowGator Turning off “Block literal IP addresses” and “Block proxy, VPN, TOR” on the profile will make Skype work. If you are using OpenDNS, make sure you that are not blocking the Chat category.

[support]

Are you using OpenDNS? Is the Chat category blocked by OpenDNS?

To diagnose the problem:
1. Put the IPAD in a profile with parental control disabled first. Are you able to use FaceTime and Messaging?
2. Turn on parental control for the profile. Turn off “block literal IP…”, “Block proxy…”, etc. Choose System Default for DNS. Are you able to use FaceTime and Messaging?
3. Change DNS to OpenDNS and test again.

[support]

Yes. Laptops are no different than desktops or tablets. They should display in the Status page.

Do you have two WiFi signals in your house? I.e., one from pcWRT and another from an ISP provided router? If you do, the laptops might be accidentally connected to the other WiFi.

If the devices are indeed connected to the pcWRT WiFi but not displaying in the Status page, you may use the Network Settings page to assign names to devices. Click the Add button in the Hostnames and Static Leases section. In the popup dialog, click the Name drop down. If you can’t guess the device from the displayed name, pick a device from the Name drop down and try to match by IP address. After you set the device names, click Save at the bottom of the Network Settings page.

To find the IP address of a laptop: open a browser, then enter http://192.168.10.1/myip.html into the address bar.

[support]

FYI, if WiFi is turned on for your XFinity modem/router, you might have RF interference between the routers, which will degrade WiFi performance for both. If you are not connecting to the XFinity via WiFi, it’s advisable to turn off the WiFi for the XFinity. If you need both WiFi, then you should choose WiFi channels so that they don’t overlap each other (e.g., 4 channels apart).

[support]

For the profile to which the iPad belongs, uncheck “Block proxy, VPN, TOR”. If you still have trouble, uncheck “Block literal IP addresses” also.

[support]

@Transversal Do you know what kid of speed you are getting in terms of Mbps? Or is this just a general feeling that it’s slow? What activities are affected? Such as general browsing, watching YouTube, or playing games?

The calendar does not affect speed at all. You might want to vary the WiFi channel the router is using and see if that improves your speed. If the WiFi channel is Auto, set it to a specific channel, change the channel to see if you get different results.

[support]

At this point, the safest bet is probably to reset the router and start afresh. For testing purposes, you don’t have to replace the NETGEAR, simply connect the pcWRT WAN to a NETGEAR LAN port. You should be able to get Internet connectivity via the pcWRT this way.

Follow these steps to reset the router:
1. Disconnect all cables (LAN, WAN, power cord). Router should be off. Keep it off for at least 30 seconds.
2. Connect ONLY the power cable. Wait for about 2 minutes. Which lights are on? Solid or blinking? I’m expecting that SYS should be on (solid). WAN should not be on since no cable is connected.
3. Use a pin or pen tip, press and hold the WPS/Reset button for 10 seconds, then release.
4. Wait for about 20 seconds. All LEDs should flash once at the same time, and the router should reboot. After the router reboots, SYS and WLAN LEDs should be on (solid).
5. Connect the pcWRT WAN port to a LAN port on the NETGEAR.
6. Connect a device to the pcWRT WiFi or LAN. Open a browser and load http://192.168.10.1. You should see the initial setup pages.
7. After initial setup, you should be able to connect to the Internet via the device connected to the pcWRT.

Please let us know if you can successfully get to step 7. We’ll move forward from there if your answer is positive.

P.S. in steps 2-4 above, do not disconnect the power cable.

Thanks!

[support]

Thank you for your feedback and honest opinion.

Our firmware should play well with other devices on your home network. If you have problems, please let us know, we’ll help you resolve those issues. If indeed there’s a shortcoming, we’ll try to fix that with a firmware update ASAP. If you still have the TORONTO-N and would like to make it work, please let us know also, we can help you out.

The $199 price for the TP-Link router includes the current firmware and all future updates. More features are on the way and some are coming soon. We’ll make it worth your money. Thanks!

[Author]

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