TP Link Deco M5 setup: A Step-By-Step Guide
Set up your Deco M5 mesh Wi-Fi system, connect additional units, configure network modes, and troubleshoot common setup issues with this step-by-step guide.
Quick setup overview
To set up TP Link Deco M5, connect the main Deco M5 to your modem or existing router with an Ethernet cable, install the Deco app, sign in with your TP-Link ID, and go through the setup process. Set up the primary Deco M5 and add more Deco M5s using the Deco app, and place them around your home to get the best mesh Wi-Fi coverage.
TP Link Deco M5 setup: A Step-By-Step Guide
To set up TP Link Deco M5, connect the main Deco M5 to your modem or existing router with an Ethernet cable, install the Deco app, sign in with your TP-Link ID, and go through the setup process. Set up the primary Deco M5 and add more Deco M5s using the Deco app, and place them around your home to get the best mesh Wi-Fi coverage.
TP Link Deco M5 setup process is designed to provide whole-home mesh Wi-Fi. Instead of setting up every router separately, Deco M5s are used to cover more area with wireless Internet and switch between them when moving from one room to another.
This guide explains how to set up Deco M5, add additional Deco M5s, configure the Access Point mode, use Ethernet backhaul, update firmware, reset Deco, and troubleshoot Deco M5 issues.
What You Need Before TP Link Deco M5 Setup?
Before you start setting up your TP-Link Deco M5, gather the following supplies:
- Deco M5 devices x1 or more,
- Deco power adapters
- Ethernet cable
- Working modem or router
- Android or iOS device
- TP-Link Deco Application
- TP-Link ID
- Internet connection.
Make sure to keep the main Deco M5 access point near your router or modem while setting it up.
How to set up TP-Link Deco M5?
Follow the guides below to set up the standard Deco M5 wireless:
1. Install the Deco App
Download the official TP-Link Deco application on your device, and log in by registering your TP-Link ID.
2. Install the Main Deco
Turn off your modem for a moment and connect an Ethernet cable to the modem's LAN port and one of the Ethernet ports on your Deco M5 main unit. Turn on your Deco and modem.
3. Setting Up the Deco
Open the Deco application on your smartphone, click Deco M5, and follow the instructions on your screen. Deco app will assist you through the Internet connection and Wi-Fi network processes.
4. Setting Up Deco Wi-Fi Network
Next, you have to set up your Wi-Fi network by providing a preferred name and secure password. It is essential to make the password complex enough to prevent intruders from accessing your network illegally.
5. Setting Up Additional Deco
Click the option to add another Deco after setting up the primary Deco. Turn on your second M5 device, and follow the Deco app's instructions.
Once it is connected, put your second Deco in an appropriate place.
How to set up Deco M5 as an access point?
How to Use Deco M5 as an Access Point:
- Launch the initial Deco setup
- Open the Deco app.
- Go to Advanced Network Settings.
- Tap on Operation Mode.
- Select Access Point.
- Hit Apply and wait till your Deco system reboots. After that, test your internet connection.
When you use Deco in Access Point mode, your primary router usually manages to offer most of the features, like DHCP, while Deco gives wireless mesh coverage.
Note: You should consider that some Deco features are only available when not in access point mode.
How to set up Deco M5 with an existing router?
There are generally two ways to do that.
- The first is to use Deco M5 in router mode.
- The second way is to configure Deco M5 in access point mode.
So if you use Deco as the primary router, Deco will handle all the routing jobs. But if you want to use a router as the primary and Deco M5 as a backup, then we suggest you configure Deco M5 in AP mode. Because when there are two routers, it will cause double NAT, which may interfere with some functions.
Strategy for TP Link Deco M5 Wired Setup
A TP Link Deco M5 wired setup can give you a reliable connection between your network and the Deco system.
The basic setup is as follows:
Router/Modem >> Ethernet Cable >> Main Deco M5
Other Deco units can be added to the system either by Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your preference and network setup.
Wired connections may be considered in a home with lots of walls or multiple levels where the Wi-Fi connection between Deco units may not be reliable.
TP Link Deco M5 setup Ethernet backhaul
The Deco M5 Ethernet backhaul setup is a feature that allows Deco units to communicate with each other through Ethernet rather than the default wireless communication.
The following diagram shows how the Ethernet backhaul should be configured.
Router → Main Deco → Ethernet → Satellite Deco
- Connect your satellite Deco with Ethernet and allow the Deco to detect the wired connection setup.
* Ethernet backhauls provide more reliable communications between Deco units, and the signal is less likely to be impacted by physical barriers compared to wireless communication.
- This can result in overall better network performance, especially when the wireless Deco M5 backhaul is compromised due to distance or physical barriers.
- To achieve optimal performance, Ethernet backhaul should be used with high-quality Ethernet cables and avoid unnecessary network loops.
How to Setup VPN on Deco M5?
Deco M5 doesn't offer the option of a VPN Server/Client which is offered in some other/more recent networking products.
If you need protection by VPN, you should set up a compatible router for it, or install the corresponding software directly on the compatible devices.
It is important because doing the unsupported procedure anyway can cause extra setup issues.
How to Set Up Deco M5 Without the app?
The standard Deco M5 setup procedure is carried out by using the Deco app. Hence, users should not consider a conventional Deco web login to your router as a substitute for the normal setup procedure.
In case the app fails to recognize your Deco, you have to ensure the phone's permissions, Bluetooth/local-network, power connection, and Deco LED status are correct so you can reset the device.
How to reset TP-Link Deco M5?
A reset may be necessary if the Deco cannot be configured, remains associated to an old network, or is failing repeatedly during setup.
To reset the unit:
- Make sure the Deco is powered on.
- Find the reset button.
- Hold the button down according to TP-Link's reset instructions.
- Wait while the Deco reboots until the LED indicates that it is ready for configuration.
- Then configure the Deco again using the Deco app.
A factory reset will wipe the Deco's configuration, so it should only be used as a last resort after other, less intrusive, methods of diagnosis and repair have been tried and failed.
TP-Link Deco M5 firmware update
Keeping the firmware up to date can improve security, stability, and compatibility.
Open the Deco app and go to the firmware or update section. If there is an update available, the instructions will be shown on the screen.
Do not power off the Deco during the firmware update. Also, please make sure to check what hardware version you have before manually downloading the firmware, since the firmware may vary by hardware or region.
TP Link Deco M5 vs TP Link Deco XE75 Pro
Both TP Link Deco M5 setup and TP Link Deco XE75 pro setup products make use of the same Deco app but are designed to meet the needs of different markets.
| Feature | Deco M5 | Deco XE75 Pro<br><br> |
| Wi-Fi generation | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bands | Dual-band | Tri-band |
| Mesh networking | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet Backhaul | Yes | Yes |
| Best suited for | Basic/moderate networks | High-performance networks<br><br> |
If you have a few Deco M5 units and need to provide mesh network coverage for a less demanding setup, it could be left as is. However, if you are building a high-end mesh network, you might want to consider a more recent solution like the XE75 Pro.
Common TP Link Deco M5 Setup Issues
| Problem | Solutions  |
| Deco app cannot find M5 | Check phone permissions, make sure the phone is near the Deco, and restart the app |
| Deco cannot connect to the internet | Check your modem status, Ethernet, and ISP connection. |
| Satellite cannot be added | Install the satellite closer to the main Deco. |
| Internet is slow | Enhance the Deco positioning, and try testing Ethernet backhaul. |
| Ethernet backhaul is not working | Check the Ethernet, ports, and topology. |
| Deco shows a red light | Check the power, internet, and Ethernet connection before doing a reset. |
| Setup keeps failing | Update the app, restart the devices, and reset Deco, if needed. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
What should I do if the Deco app cannot find my Deco M5?
Check power, phone permissions, Bluetooth/local-network access, the app version, and the LED light. Keep your phone near the Deco and re-launch the setup.
Why can't my Deco M5 connect to the internet during setup?
Make sure the modem is working properly, the Ethernet cable is not faulty, the ISP is not down, and the Internet settings are correct. If another router is managing your network (Internet connection), you might want to consider using Access Point (AP) mode instead.
How do I add another Deco M5 unit?
Go to the Deco app > Add Deco, then power on the additional Deco M5 satellite you want to add. Follow the instructions on your phone to complete the setup.
How do I update the Deco M5 firmware?
Launch the Deco app > Firmware tab > Check for Deco M5 firmware updates. Make sure your Deco is not turned off while updating.
Why is my Deco M5 internet connection slow?
Check the position of your satellites; make sure there are not too many obstacles between Deco M5 satellites. Check for potential wireless interference, Deco M5 firmware, connected devices, and the type of backhaul. Ethernet backhaul provides more stable connections between satellites.
Can I use multiple Deco M5 units together?
Multiple Deco M5 units can be used with one Deco M5 system to extend the coverage of the mesh network.