Why Is My Deco Mesh Connected but There’s No Internet?

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by decomesh 6 Views comments

You are staring your laptop or phone, it shows you are connected to WiFi. An even signal looks fine also, but nothing loads. No internet, just spinning wheels and timeout messages, frustrating, right?

If you are facing this same problem, then you need not worry. You’re not alone. This is one of the most common issues with mesh systems. Follow the further steps to resolve this problem. Let’s start:

What Does “Connected but No Internet” Actually Mean?

When your device says it’s connected to Wi-Fi, it means it’s talking to your Deco unit—usually the closest node or main router. That part is fine. But for that connection to actually do something, the Deco needs to be connected to the internet itself.

If your Deco system can’t reach the internet through your modem, your device will still connect to the Wi-Fi—but won’t go anywhere.

That’s what “connected but no internet” means. The mesh is working. The internet side of it isn’t. Let’s find out why.

Step 1: Check the Internet Source (Your Modem)

Start at the beginning—your modem. If your modem isn't giving out a signal, your Deco system can’t pass it on.

Unplug your modem, wait about 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for it to fully reboot—usually takes a minute or two. Look for solid lights (not blinking red ones). If you’re not sure what the lights mean, look up the guide for your specific model.

Now do the same for your Deco’s main unit. Unplug it, wait, plug it back in. It should reconnect on its own once the modem is live again. Keep going.

Step 2: Make Sure the Main Deco Is in Router Mode

Sometimes during TP Link Deco setup, the system ends up in Access Point (AP) mode instead of Router mode. In AP mode, the Deco expects another device to handle the internet and routing, and if that device isn’t doing it right, you’ll have no internet.

Open the Deco app.

  • Tap on More
  • Tap Advanced
  • Look for Operating Mode
  • Make sure it’s set to Router Mode

If it’s not, switch it. Reboot everything afterward.

Step 3: Check the Ethernet Cable and Port

Yeah, I know it sounds dumb. But a loose cable or bad Ethernet port is more common than you think.

Unplug the Ethernet cable from both the modem and the Deco main unit. Plug it back in—firmly.

Also, make sure it’s plugged into the right port. On the Deco main unit, the WAN port is usually labeled or highlighted. Plugging into the wrong port will make it look like it’s working, but you won’t get internet.

If the cable looks sketchy, frayed or bent and swap it out with another one just to test.

Step 4: Update the Deco Firmware

Sometimes the TP Link Deco setup goes fine, but the firmware is outdated and buggy. That can break things.

Open the Deco app:

  • Go to More
  • Tap Update Deco
  • If an update is available, install it

This might take a few minutes. Let it run its course, and don’t unplug anything during the update.

Once it's done, restart the system and check again.

Step 5: Check Your ISP Connection

If everything on your end looks good and you’re still offline, the issue might be with your internet provider.

To test that:

  • Unplug the Deco
  • Connect a laptop or PC directly to your modem using an Ethernet cable
  • Try to load a website

If that doesn’t work, the issue is definitely with your ISP. You’ll need to give them a call.

If it does work, then your Deco is the weak link. Time to reset.

Step 6: Reset the Deco and Do a Clean Setup

If you’ve tried everything above and still have no internet, reset the Deco system and do the TP Link Deco setup from scratch.

Here’s how:

  1. Find the reset button (usually a small hole on the bottom of the unit)
  2. Use a paperclip to press and hold for about 10 seconds
  3. Wait for the LED to start flashing
  4. Open the Deco app and go through the setup steps again

Make sure your modem is online before you begin. Follow each step carefully. When it asks for your ISP type, make sure you choose the right one (usually Dynamic IP, unless your provider gave you specific settings).

Final Thoughts

Having your Deco mesh system say it’s connected, but still not getting any internet can be super annoying—especially after you thought the setup went smoothly. But more often than not, it’s something small. A loose cable. The wrong mode. A buggy firmware. Or just your modem needing a reset.

Take it step by step. Start from the source. Don’t skip the basics.

Once it’s fixed, the Deco system usually runs like a dream. Solid coverage, stable signal, no weird drops. You just have to get it past that one tricky part. Now, you know exactly how.

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