TP-Link TL-WN881ND User manual

REV2.0.0 1910012142
User Guide
300Mbps Wireless N PCI Express Adapter
TL-WN881ND

Contents
About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 1. Get to Know About Your Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1. 1. Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1. 2. LED Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2. Connect to a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Chapter 3. Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3. 1. Install Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3. 2. Join a Wireless Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3. 3. Uninstall Driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 4. Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Appendix: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

1
About This Guide
This guide is a complement to Quick Installation Guide. The Quick Installation Guide
instructs you on quick installation, and this guide provides the product overview and
detailed instructions for each steps.
When using this guide, please notice that features of the adapter may vary slightly
depending on the model and software version you have. All screenshots, images,
parameters and descriptions documented in this guide are used for demonstration
only.
Conventions
In this guide, the following conventions are used:
Convention Description
Teal Italic Hyperlinks are in teal italic. You can click to redirect to a website or a specific
section.
Teal Contents to be emphasized and texts on the web page are in teal, including the
menus, items, buttons, etc.
Note: Ignoring this type of note might result in a malfunction or damage to the device.
Tips: Indicates important information that helps you make better use of your device.
More Info
• The latest driver can be found at Download Center at http://www.tp-link.com/support.
• The Quick Installation Guide (QIG) can be found where you find this guide or inside
the package of the product.
• Specifications can be found on the product page at http://www.tp-link.com.
• Our Technical Support contact information can be found at the Contact Technical
Support page at http://www.tp-link.com/support.

Chapter 1
Get to Know About Your
Adapter
This chapter introduces what the adapter can do and shows its appearance.
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Product Overview
• LED Status

3
Chapter 1 Get to Know about Your Adapter
1. 1. Product Overview
The TP-Link Wireless PCI Express Adapter connects your desktop computer to a
Wi-Fi network for lag-free video streaming, online gaming, secure internet surfing and
internet calls.
• Compatible with 802.11b/g/n products
• Supports ad-hoc and infrastructure mode
• Maximum speed of up to 300Mbps for 2.4GHz network
• 2×2 MIMO for more efficient data transfer
• Supports WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
• Supports Windows and Linux
1. 2. LED Status
You can check the adapter’s working status by following the LED Explanation table.
Status Indication
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.
Tips:
If the LED is off, try these troubleshooting tips:
1. Remove and reinstall the adapter.
2. Refer to Troubleshooting-T2 to check if the adapter is recognized and enabled. Reinstall the adapter software, if
necessary.

Chapter 2
Connect to a Computer
This chapter introduces how to install the adapter into your computer.

5
Chapter 2 Connect to a Computer
Follow the steps below to insert the adapter into your computer:
1. Turn off the computer, unplug the power cable and remove the case panel.
2. Locate an available PCI-E slot and carefully insert the adapter.

6
Chapter 2 Connect to a Computer
3. Connect the antennas to the adapter.
4. Replace the case panel, plug in the power cable and turn on your computer.
Note:
If the bracket is not suitable for your computer, detach it from the adapter’s board and replace it with the
low-profile bracket provided.
After connecting your adapter to the computer, please follow the instructions in the
appropriate chapter for your operating system: Windows,Linux.

Chapter 3
Windows
This chapter introduces how to install your adapter’s driver, use your adapter to join a
wireless network, and uninstall the driver in a Windows system.The adapter is equipped
with a setup wizard, which can guide you through the installation process.
This chapter includes the following sections:
• Install Driver
• Join a Wireless Network
• Uninstall Driver

8
Chapter 3 Windows
3. 1. Install Driver
Follow the steps below to set up your adapter:
1. Insert the resource CD into your CD drive and run the Autorun.exe.
Note:
You can also download the driver from the product’s Support page at www.tp-link.com.
2. Select TL-WN881ND and follow the instructions to continue the installation.
Note:
If you can’t install the driver successfully, disable the antivirus software and firewall, then try again.
3. When the following screen appears, the driver has been installed successfully.

9
Chapter 3 Windows
3. 2. Join a Wireless Network
You can join a wireless network via Windows Wireless Utility.
Follow the instructions below to use your computer system’s built-in wireless utility:
1. Click , or (Network icon) on the taskbar. Select the Wi-Fi network you want
to join, and click Connect. Enter the network password when prompted.
2. When the network icon changes to or , it indicates a successful network
connection.
Connections are available
Wireless Network Connection
Connect automatically Connect
√
TP-Link_XXXX
3. 3. Uninstall Driver
The software uninstallation steps vary a bit in different systems, please follow the
appropriate instructions for your Windows operating system: Windows 8/8.1/10,
Windows 7.
• Windows 8/8.1/10
Go to Start > Apps, find the TP-Link application. Click
Uninstall TP-Link TL-WN881ND
Driver, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.
• Windows 7
Go to Start > All Programs > TP-Link > Uninstall
TP-Link TL-WN881ND Driver. Follow the
on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.

Chapter 4
Linux

11
Chapter 4 Linux
Visit the TP-Link’s website at http://www.tp-link.com, and go to TL-WN881ND’s product
page. Then find the compatible version of driver in the support page. Download and
install the driver on your computer.

12
Appendix: Troubleshooting
T1.What should I do if the adapter is not detected?
• Make sure the adapter is securely located in the appropriate PCI-E slot.
• Make sure you meet the minimum system requirements for the adapter and that the
latest Windows and system updates are installed on your computer.
• Make sure you use the latest driver for your specific adapter. The latest drivers can
be found at the product’s Support page at http://www.tp-link.com.
• Try a different PCI-E slot on the computer.
• Try restarting the computer or try the adapter on a different computer.
T2.How to check if I have installed the driver for my adapter successfully
or not?
1. On your computer, please right click Computer icon and go to Manage;
2. Open the Device Manager and go to Network adapters, and then find the
corresponding TP-Link adapter, right click it and then go to Properties;

13
3. If you can see “This device is working properly.” in the red box, you have already
installed the driver successfully.
T3.What should I do if can’t connect to the Wi-Fi after installing the
driver?
• Refer to T2 to check if you have installed the driver for your adapter successfully .
• Disable the antivirus software and firewall, then try again.
• Make sure the adapter is securely located in the appropriate PCI-E slot.
• Try a different PCI-E slot on the computer.
• Restart your computer and try again.
• Re-install the driver and try again.

14
T4.How to find the hardware version of the adapter?
The hardware version printed on the product label on the package or the adapter.
There is a character string “Ver:X.Y” (for example, Ver:2.0) in the Serial Number field,
and the number X is the hardware version of the adapter.

15
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 © 2017 TP-Link Technologies
Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

16
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 RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment. This device and its antenna must not be co-located or
operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
“To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, this grant is applicable to
only Mobile Configurations. The antennas used for this transmitter must be installed to
provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-
located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.”

17
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.
OPERATING FREQUENCY(the maximum transmitted power)
2412MHz—2472MHz(20dBm)
EU declaration of conformity
TP-Link hereby declares that the device is in compliance with the essential requirements
and other relevant provisions of directives 2014/53/EU, 2009/125/EC and 2011/65/EU.
The original EU declaration of conformity may be found at http://www.tp-link.com/en/
ce
RF Exposure Information
This device meets the EU requirements (2014/53/EU Article 3.1a) on the limitation of
exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields by way of health protection.
The device complies with RF specifications when the device used at 20 cm from your
body.
Canadian Compliance Statement
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSSs. 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.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils
radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes :
1 ) l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage;
2 ) l’utilisateur de l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, meme
si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement.
This radio transmitter (IC: 8853A-WN881NDV2) has been approved by Industry Canada
to operate with the antenna types listed below with the maximum permissible gain
indicated. Antenna types not included in this list, having a gain greater than the
maximum gain indicated for that type, are strictly prohibited for use with this device.
Le présent émetteur radio (IC: 8853A-WN881NDV2) a été approuvé par Industrie
Canada pour fonctionner avec les types d’antenne énumérés ci-dessous et ayant un
gain admissible maximal d’antenne. Les types d’antenne non inclus dans cette liste,

18
ou dont le gain est supérieur au gain maximal indiqué, sont strictement interdits pour
l’exploitation de l’émetteur.
Ant. Brand P/N Antenna Type Connector Gain (dBi)
1 TP-Link 3101501266 Dipole Antenna Reversed-SMA 1.83
2 TP-Link 3101501266 Dipole Antenna Reversed-SMA 1.83
Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment.This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance
20cm between the radiator & your body.
Déclaration d’exposition aux radiations:
Cet équipement est conforme aux limites d’exposition aux rayonnements IC établies
pour un environnement non contrôlé. Cet équipement doit être installé et utilisé avec
un minimum de 20 cm de distance entre la source de rayonnement et votre corps.
Industry Canada Statement
CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)
Korea Warning Statements
당해 무선설비는 운용중 전파혼신 가능성이 있음.
NCC 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信；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。
BSMI Notice
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。