TP-Link TL-WN821N User manual

TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
TL-WN821N TL-WN821NC
Rev: 4.2.0
191001
1080

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Specifications are subject to change without notice. is a registered trademark of
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Other brands and product names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.
No part of the specifications may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make
any derivative such as translation, transformation, or adaptation without permission from
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Copyright © 2014 TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
All rights reserved.
http://www.tp-link.com

FCC STATEMENT
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/ TV technician for help.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
1) This device may not cause harmful interference.
2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note: The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by
unauthorized modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.
FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. End users must follow the specific operating instructions for satisfying RF
exposure compliance. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with
any other antenna or transmitter. This equipment has been SAR-evaluated for use in hand.
SAR measurements are based on a 5mm spacing from the body and that compliance is
achieved at that distance.

CE Mark Warning
This is a class B product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference,
in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
Canadian Compliance Statement
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
(1)This device may not cause interference, and
(2)This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Cet appareil est conforme aux norms CNR exemptes de licence d’Industrie Canada. Le
fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes:
(1)cet appareil ne doit pas provoquer d’interférences et
(2)cet appareil doit accepter toute interférence, y compris celles susceptibles de provoquer un
fonctionnement non souhaité de l’appareil.
Industry Canada Statement
Complies with the Canadian ICES-003 Class B specifications.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
This device complies with RSS 210 of Industry Canada. This Class B device meets all the
requirements of the Canadian interference-causing equipment regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la Classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le
matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Korea Warning Statements
당해 무선설비는 운용중 전파혼신 가능성이 있음.
NCC Notice & BSMI Notice
注意！
依據 低功率電波輻射性電機管理辦法
第十二條 經型式認證合格之低功率射頻電機，非經許可，公司、商號或使用者均不得擅自變更頻
率、加大功率或變更原設計之特性或功能。
第十四條 低功率射頻電機之使用不得影響飛航安全及干擾合法通行；經發現有干擾現象時，應立

即停用，並改善至無干擾時方得繼續使用。前項合法通信，指依電信規定作業之無線電信。低功
率射頻電機需忍受合法通信或工業、科學以及醫療用電波輻射性電機設備之干擾。
減少電磁波影響，請妥適使用。
安全諮詢及注意事項
●請使用原裝電源供應器或只能按照本產品注明的電源類型使用本產品。
●清潔本產品之前請先拔掉電源線。請勿使用液體、噴霧清潔劑或濕布進行清潔。
●注意防潮，請勿將水或其他液體潑灑到本產品上。
●插槽與開口供通風使用，以確保本產品的操作可靠並防止過熱，請勿堵塞或覆蓋開口。
●請勿將本產品置放於靠近熱源的地方。除非有正常的通風，否則不可放在密閉位置中。
●請不要私自打開機殼，不要嘗試自行維修本產品，請由授權的專業人士進行此項工作。
Продукт сертифіковано згідно с правилами системи УкрСЕПРО на відповідність вимогам
нормативних документів та вимогам, що передбачені чинними законодавчими актами
України.
Safety Information
When product has power button, the power button is one of the way to shut off the product;
when there is no power button, the only way to completely shut off power is to disconnect the
product or the power adapter from the power source.
Don’t disassemble the product, or make repairs yourself. You run the risk of electric shock
and voiding the limited warranty. If you need service, please contact us.
Avoid water and wet locations.
This product can be used in the following countries:
AT BG BY CA CZ DE DK EE
ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT
LT LV MT NL NO PL PT RO
RU SE SK TR UA US

TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
For the following equipment:
Product Description: 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Model No.: TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC
Trademark: TP-LINK
We declare under our own responsibility that the above products satisfy all the technical
regulations applicable to the product within the scope of Council Directives:
Directives 1999/5/EC, Directives 2006/95/EC, Directives 1999/519/EC, Directives 2011/65/EU
The above product is in conformity with the following standards or other normative documents:
EN 300 328 V1.8.1
EN 301 489-1 V1.9.2 & EN 301 489-17 V2.2.1
EN 60950-1: 2006 + A11: 2009 + A1: 2010 + A12: 2011
EN 50566: 2013
The product carries the CE Mark:
Person responsible for marking this declaration:
Yang Hongliang
Product Manager of International Business
Date of issue: 2014
TP-LINK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
Building 24 (floors 1, 3, 4, 5), and 28 (floors 1-4) Central Science and Technology Park,
Shennan Rd, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China

CONTENTS
Package Contents .................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 1 Product Overview ................................................................................. 2
1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................2
1.2 Features.....................................................................................................................2
1.3 Hardware Overview ...................................................................................................3
Chapter 2 Installation............................................................................................. 4
2.1 Hardware Installation.................................................................................................4
2.2 Software Installation ..................................................................................................4
Chapter 3 Connect to a Wireless Network ........................................................... 9
3.1 To connect using TWCU (not available in Windows 8.1).......................................... 9
3.2 To connect using WPS............................................................................................ 13
3.2.1 PBC (Push Button Configuration) method ................................................. 13
3.2.2 PIN method.................................................................................................15
3.3 To connect using Windows built-in wireless utility .................................................. 18
3.3.1 In Windows 7 .............................................................................................. 18
3.3.2 In Windows 8 .............................................................................................. 19
3.3.3 In Windows Vista........................................................................................21
3.3.4 In Windows XP ...........................................................................................23
3.3.5In Windows 8.1........................................................................................... 25
Chapter 4 Management........................................................................................ 29
4.1 Profile.......................................................................................................................29
4.1.1 Add a profile ............................................................................................... 29
4.1.2 Modify a profile ...........................................................................................33
4.1.3 Delete a profile ...........................................................................................34
4.2 Advanced................................................................................................................. 34
4.3 About .......................................................................................................................35
Chapter 5 AP Mode .............................................................................................. 36
Chapter 6 Uninstall Software............................................................................... 38
6.1 In Windows XP/Vista/7 ............................................................................................ 38
6.1.1 Uninstall the utility software from your PC ................................................. 38
6.1.2 Uninstall the driver software from your PC ................................................ 39
6.2 In Windows 8/8.1 .....................................................................................................40
6.2.1 Uninstall the utility software from your PC ................................................. 40
6.2.2 Uninstall the driver software from your PC ................................................ 41
Appendix A: Specifications................................................................................... 44
Appendix B: Glossary............................................................................................ 45

TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Package Contents
Please verify that all the package contents below are available.
One TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC 300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Quick Installation Guide
One USB cable or USB cradle
One Resource CD for TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC, including:
•TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility (TWCU) and Drivers
•User Guide
•Other helpful information
Make sure that the above items are contained in the package. If any of the above items are
damaged or missing, please contact your distributor.

Note:
The ‘adapter’ mentioned in this User Guide stands for TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC 300Mbps
High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter without any explanation.TL-WN821N and TL-WN821NC
are sharing this User Guide. For simplicity, we will take TL-WN821N for example throughout
this User Guide. TL-WN821N and TL-WN821NC just differ in the packing materials, so all
figures in this User Guide are those of TL-WN821N.
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Chapter 1 Product Overview
1.1 Introduction
The adapter is a 802.11n client device designed to deliver a high-speed and unrivaled wireless
performance for your desktop. With a faster wireless connection, you can get a better Internet
experience, such as downloading, gaming, video streaming.
With the 802.11n technology, higher throughput improvements using MIMO (multiple input,
multiple output antennas), the adapter’s auto-sensing capability allows high packet transfer rate of
up to 300Mbps for maximum throughput. It has good capability on anti-jamming, and it can also
interoperate with other wireless (802.11b) products. The adapter supports WEP, WPA and WPA2
encryption to prevent outside intrusion and protect your personal information from being exposed.
The adapter is easy to install and manage with the Quick Setup Wizard guiding you step-by-step
through the installation process and the TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility instructing you to
quickly set up a wireless connection.
With unmatched wireless performance, reception, and security protection, the adapter is the best
choice for easily adding or upgrading wireless connectivity to your desktop.
1.2 Features
Complies with IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b standards
Supports WPA/WPA2 data security, IEEE802.1x authentication, TKIP/AES encryption,
WEP encryption
Supports high rate of up to 300Mbps for maximum throughput, supports automatically
adjust to lower speeds due to distance or other operating limitations
Provides USB 2.0 interface
Supports Ad Hoc and Infrastructure modes
Good capability on anti-jamming
Supports roaming between access points when configured under Infrastructure mode
Easy to configure and provides monitoring information
Supports Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 32/64bit
Provides internal antennas
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
1.3 Hardware Overview
LED status:
Status Working Status
Off
The driver has not been installed;
The adapter's radio has been disabled.
Flashing Slowly The driver has been installed but no data is
being transmitted or
received.
Flashing Quickly Data is being transmitted or received.

Note:
When the card failed to connect to a wireless network, the LED may be off. Please choose your
network and try to connect again.
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Chapter 2 Installation
2.1 Hardware Installation
1. Locate an available USB interface on your computer.
2. Connect the adapter and your computer with the USB cable contained in the package.

Note:
The prompted Found New Hardware Wizard screen will pop up when the adapter is installed
correctly. Click Cancel.
2.2 Software Installation
The adapter’s Setup Wizard will guide you through the installation procedures for Windows 7,
Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. The procedures in different
systems are quite similar, therefore here takes the procedures in Windows 7 for example.
1. Insert the Resource CD into your CD-ROM drive, and the window below will appear. Select
model TL-WN821N.There will be a menu including: Install Driver&Utility and User
Guide. Click Install Driver&Utility to begin.
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Figure 2-1
2. The InstallShield Wizard window will appear. Click Next to continue.
Figure 2-2
3. Choose a setup type. It is recommended to select Install TP-LINK Wireless
Configuration Utility and Driver. Selecting Install Driver Only will only install driver.
Click Next to continue.
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Figure 2-3
4. Click Change…to specify the destination location for the software or you can leave it
default. Click Next in the screen below to continue.
Figure 2-4
5. Click Install to continue the setup.
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Figure 2-5
6. The utility and drivers will install. This may take 1~2 minutes.
Figure 2-6
7. After all the steps above, you will see the screen below. Click Finish to complete the setup.
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Figure 2-7
8. After installation, the utility configuration page will automatically pop up as shown in the
following figure and the icon will appear in your system tray. To connect to a network,
please refer to Chapter 3 Connect to a Wireless Network.
Figure 2-8
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Chapter 3 Connect to a Wireless Network
With both the hardware and software successfully installed into your computer, you can quickly
connect to a wireless network using one of the following methods.
Method One:
To connect using TWCU (TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility)
TL-WN821N/TL-WN821NC uses the TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility as the
management software. The utility provides you an easy interface to connect to a network and to
change any settings related to the wireless adapter.
Method Two:
To connect using WPS
By this method, you can connect to your network quickly on the condition that your router or
access point supports QSS or WPS as is called by some other brands.
Method Three:
To connect using Windows built-in wireless utility
Windows users may use the built-in wireless utility to connect to a wireless network. For specific
operations, please go to To connect using Windows built-in wireless utility.
3.1 To connect using TWCU (not available in Windows 8.1)

Note:
For win 8.1 users, please refer to 3.3.5 In Windows 8.1.
1. After installation, the utility configuration page will automatically pop up on the screen. If the
utility page does not pop up, you can also launch the utility by double-clicking on the
icon on your desktop or the icon in your system tray.
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Figure 3-1
2. The Network page will display all wireless networks that are available in your area. To
connect to a network, simply highlight the wireless network name (SSID) and click
Connect. If you tick Connect automatically, the adapter will automatically connect to your
target network next time.
Figure 3-2
3. You will be prompted different windows when you choose wireless network of different
security types.
1) Wireless network of WPA/WPA2-Personal
If you selected a wireless network of the security type WPA/WPA2-Personal, you will be
prompted to enter the password in the security key field, as shown in Figure 3-3. Or you
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
can push the WPS/QSS button on your Router (if it features the WPS/QSS function) to
quickly build a connection without entering the security key (password).
Figure 3-3

Note:
The security key (password) can be found on the configuration page of your Router or Access
Point.
2) Wireless network of WPA/WPA2-Enterprise
If you selected a wireless network of the security type WPA/WPA2-Enterprise, you will be
prompted to choose a type of authentication, either certificate or password. With
Certificate as your authentication, you need to select one specific certificate from the
drop-down list, as shown in Figure 3-4. With Password as your authentication, you should
enter the right user name and password in the corresponding field, as shown in Figure 3-5.
Figure 3-4
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
Figure 3-5
3) Wireless network of None
If you selected a wireless network of None (that is, no security is set.), you can get directly
connected to this network without any further configuration.
4. Please wait a few minutes for the connection process.
Figure 3-6
5. You have now successfully connected to your network. Click Close to enjoy the Internet.
Figure 3-7
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TL-WN821N/ TL-WN821NC
300Mbps High Gain Wireless N USB Adapter
6. To view more information about the network currently connected, click Status in the tools
section and the page will display information such as the network type, link quality and
wireless mode.
Figure 3-8
3.2 To connect using WPS
WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) function allows you to add a new wireless device to an existing
network quickly.
If the wireless router supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) or QSS, you can establish a
wireless connection between wireless card and router using either Push Button Configuration
(PBC) method or PIN method.

Note:
For win 8.1 users, please refer to 3.3.5 In Windows 8.1.
3.2.1 PBC (Push Button Configuration) method
1. Press the WPS/RESET button for 2~3 seconds on the back panel of the router. Here takes
router TL-WR841ND for example.
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