Zyxel PLA4231 Powerline WiFi Extender Problems

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daf999999

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Aug 21, 2014
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I set up a powerline network off of my Uverse NVG589. It works well with the ethernet adaptors. I plugged in a wireless extender (PLA4231) which linked to network and is transmitting a reasonably strong signal according to WiFi Analyzer. The problem is that it appears as a separate network ("Zyxel") different from my "ATT" network. And when I try to access the Zyxel network with my iPad it asks for a password and does not accept the Zyxel default password of "1234" Note that I did nothing other than plug it in and put my DAK password in the configurator

What I would really like is for the extender to actually extend my network so if you are on my ATT network in one part of the house you stay connected to the ATT network as you move to the other part that is covered by the Zyxel extender -- which is what I thought an "extender" should accomplish. Can anybody help me figure that out?

Alternatively, if I can't actually extend my network, I'd like to be able to access the separate Zyxel network but don't know how since it won't accept the default password.

Note that I read the manual and did NOT set up two networks (at least not intentionally). Also note that these were brand-new out of the box devices.

I'd appreciate any assistance

Thanks
 
Solution
BuddhaSkoota
This device does not act as a repeater, so it doesn't repeat the wifi signal of your ATT router. It is actually acting as a separate access point with its own SSID and password. The access point is still a part of your network, even if it has a different SSID. You will be able to move from one wifi covered area to another and your devices will automatically connect to the strongest signal. You can always change the SSID from Zyxel to the name of your current network if you wish, but it doesn't change the behavior of your network if the names are completely different or exactly the same.

The password "1234" is actually used to access the Zyxel's GUI; it's not the wifi password. You'll need to plug a PC directly in to the Zyxel and...
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BuddhaSkoota

BuddhaSkoota

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This device does not act as a repeater, so it doesn't repeat the wifi signal of your ATT router. It is actually acting as a separate access point with its own SSID and password. The access point is still a part of your network, even if it has a different SSID. You will be able to move from one wifi covered area to another and your devices will automatically connect to the strongest signal. You can always change the SSID from Zyxel to the name of your current network if you wish, but it doesn't change the behavior of your network if the names are completely different or exactly the same.

The password "1234" is actually used to access the Zyxel's GUI; it's not the wifi password. You'll need to plug a PC directly in to the Zyxel and configure the wifi parameters.

ftp://ftp.zyxel.com/PLA4231/user_guide/PLA4231_.pdf

(Repeaters are actually inferior to access points, since they have the effect of halving wifi throughput. While repeaters seem to extend your network with the same SSID, they can actually have a detrimental effect on wifi speeds.)
 
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Solution
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daf999999

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Sorry for all the questions -- but I can't figure it out from the manual. I have located the screen that allows me to change the IP address. Currently the static IP box is checked, there is an IP address filled in (192.168.1.2) and a subnet mask filled in (255.255.255.0) Gateway IP address is blank. The first, second and third DNS Server boxes say "obtained from ISP" and then there is a blank box next to them.

So, what do I put in all of these boxes - the IP address and subnet from my router? And, if so, my router software shows several IP addresses:



and


Thanks for any help you can give. If you were here, I'd offer you a beer or two.
 
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BuddhaSkoota

BuddhaSkoota

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You should be able to change the static IP to "dynamic", "DHCP", or "Automatic". If any of those choices are offered, select it and the Zyxel should obtain all IP address information automatically.

P.S. You should remove from your post the IP addresses that start with 108.x.x.x, as these addresses should not be posted due to security concerns.
 
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daf999999

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Thanks -- it did obtain an IP address that is almost identical to the network except the network has two additional numbers in the last spot - .2 on the power line extender and .2XX on the network. Subnet matches exactly. But the zyxel network is still showing up separately on WiFi Analyzer - and I still can measure them separately. And, ATT is still weak in the room with the Zyxel and the Zyxel is strong in the room with the Zyxel. So, apparently, I haven't done enough to make it extend the network.

Any further advice?

Thanks
 
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BuddhaSkoota

BuddhaSkoota

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If you now have Internet access through the Zyxel, then your network should be properly configured. You won't see a single (ATT) network while using the Zyxel. That's not a problem since most devices will automatically connect to the strongest wifi signal without your intervention. So you shouldn't worry about seeing two different wifi networks (actually access points).
 
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daf999999

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Just an FYI to anyone else using powerline and uverse. My setup worked fine for a couple of days (thanks to BuddhaSkoota) and was a simple powerline adaptor to uverse gateway, powerline to second powerline hard wired to STB, and powerline to powerline wireless extender. Then, for no reason, I couldn't get a tv signal anywhere in the house - had terrible noise readings according to the tech. When I removed the powerline, tv was fine. When I plugged powerline back in, tv went bad. Moral of the story - at least in my house with my wiring, powerline adatpters are not compatible with uverse.
 
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christinebcw

christinebcw

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Your powerline(s) unit may have died, too. Fried. I occasionally see a 'quick death' in a few days or a week, and then sometimes electrical storms knock them out. Some only need to be reset, others are just, well, fried. You might experiment plugging units into different rooms (or the same room - not network connected, just plug them in to see if they recognize each other. Then maybe check on the TV's 'noise level'.

These devices should not be on the same 'channels' by the way, so "noise killing one device or another" might be bad devices, not necessarily bad wiring.
 
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bob sanders

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hey i'm having the same issue. wifi seems to be on, i can pick it up on my phone and lap top... but the ZyXEL network requires a security key, and I have no idea what that is. 1234 doesn't work. Can anyone please help?!?! PLEASE




 
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Michael_127

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I'm having problems with linking a PLA4231 to an existing powerline setup using PLA407s. Got the wired connection but can't access the wifi from the 4231. I'm on MAc OS X El Capitan and all the instructions are focused on WIndows utilities. My ZyXEL wifi shows up as a network but then asks for a WPA pw. I used to the DAK off the 4231 to no avail. Using the Mac OS configuration utility I can't seem to enter any DAK numbers into the devices on the Configuration page list. My 4231 MAC does show up, but I can only modify the name. Do I use the name as the pw?
Any ideas? Thanks
 
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