Forum Discussion
Wireless Printer Set up
Hello community.
I am trying to connect my wireless printer. The wireless installation asks for a WPA key. Since I don’t have a WPS button on my gateway, how would I find this key? My gateway has a WiFi key on the label. Would this be it? I’ve tried that number and it will not work.
Thank you!
WPS is the push-button connection, which the T-Mobile gateways do not support. WPA is an older encryption standard, which the gateway does support, but with an additional step. This is a common problem with printers. You just need to add a second SSID for your printer.
T Life Instructions
Some devices, such as printers, have trouble connecting to the gateway’s default configuration.
You can have several Wi-Fi networks on the gateway. You want to leave the default network alone (2.4 & 5 GHz; WPA2/WPA3 and AES security) and add a second, dedicated 2.4 GHz network. This second network is for devices that can’t connect to the default network.
Using the T Life app on your phone: Tap Connect (at the bottom). Tap Things (at the top). Tap your Gateway. Tap the magenta button Manage. Tap Network (at the top). Tap the magenta + Add Network.
You should now have an “Add new network” page. Under General details, Enter a new Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and a password. Under Advanced settings, change the Frequency Band to 2.4 GHz. Under WPA Version, change WPA Version to WPA/WPA2. The WPA Encryption Mode should automatically change to TKIP+AES. Tap Save at the bottom. Connect your device to this new network.
Use the default network for your other devices, as much as possible. Note that WPA/WPA2 (on the second network) is less secure, so I recommend setting this network to be Hidden. You can hide it after you get your devices connected to it. (The Hidden switch is in Advanced settings, below WPA Encryption Mode.)
WPS is the push-button connection, which the T-Mobile gateways do not support. WPA is an older encryption standard, which the gateway does support, but with an additional step. This is a common problem with printers. You just need to add a second SSID for your printer.
T Life Instructions
Some devices, such as printers, have trouble connecting to the gateway’s default configuration.
You can have several Wi-Fi networks on the gateway. You want to leave the default network alone (2.4 & 5 GHz; WPA2/WPA3 and AES security) and add a second, dedicated 2.4 GHz network. This second network is for devices that can’t connect to the default network.
Using the T Life app on your phone: Tap Connect (at the bottom). Tap Things (at the top). Tap your Gateway. Tap the magenta button Manage. Tap Network (at the top). Tap the magenta + Add Network.
You should now have an “Add new network” page. Under General details, Enter a new Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and a password. Under Advanced settings, change the Frequency Band to 2.4 GHz. Under WPA Version, change WPA Version to WPA/WPA2. The WPA Encryption Mode should automatically change to TKIP+AES. Tap Save at the bottom. Connect your device to this new network.
Use the default network for your other devices, as much as possible. Note that WPA/WPA2 (on the second network) is less secure, so I recommend setting this network to be Hidden. You can hide it after you get your devices connected to it. (The Hidden switch is in Advanced settings, below WPA Encryption Mode.)
“WPA access key number” is probably the password, which you will create. If you have trouble, please tell us the brand and model number of the printer.
Thank you for the reply. I will give this a shot. So, now i have this new network...will my printer be able too connect to it? What about this WPA access key number?
Hello again nc1037. I did get the computer connected. But, now I can’t get my I-phone or I-pad to find the printer. Is that something you can help with?
