TP-Link Deco X73-DSL User manual

Deco X73-DSL
Superior Mesh Wi-Fi, Everywhere
User Guide
AX5400 Whole Home Mesh
Wi-Fi 6 Gateway
1910013065 REV1.0.0 © 2021 TP-Link

Contents
About This Guide ········································································································································································ 1
Appearance ··················································································································································································· 2
Before You Start ········································································································································································· 3
Set Up Your Deco for DSL Modem Router Mode ····································································································· 4
Set Up Your Deco for Wireless Router Mode ··········································································································· 10
Dashboard ··················································································································································································· 15
Add More Decos······································································································································································ 16
Check Deco Status ································································································································································ 17
Set Main Deco··········································································································································································· 19
Remove/Reboot Deco ·························································································································································· 20
Manage Connected Devices ············································································································································ 21
Sort Devices By Locations················································································································································· 25
Create a New Network·························································································································································· 26
Change Network Owner ······················································································································································ 28
Delete a Network ····································································································································································· 29

Add Smart Devices································································································································································· 30
Shortcut························································································································································································ 31
Automation·················································································································································································· 33
HomeShield ················································································································································································ 37
Wi-Fi Settings············································································································································································· 38
Guest Network ·········································································································································································· 39
Blacklist ························································································································································································· 40
Upgrade Your Deco ································································································································································ 41
Advanced Features ································································································································································ 42
WPS································································································································································································· 49
Managers ····················································································································································································· 50
Control Your Deco with Alexa············································································································································ 52
3G/4G Backup ··········································································································································································· 53
Telephony····················································································································································································· 55
USB Sharing ··············································································································································································· 70
Troubleshooting ······································································································································································· 75
Authentication··········································································································································································· 76

1
About This Guide
This guide provides a brief introduction to VDSL Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Modem Router and the Deco app, as well as regulatory information.
Features available in Deco may vary by model and software version. Deco availability may also vary by region or ISP. All images, steps, and descriptions
in this guide are only examples and may not reect your actual Deco experience.
Conventions
In this guide, the following conventions are used:
Convention Description
Deco Stands for Deco Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System/
Unit.
Underline Hyperlinks are in teal and underlined. You can click to
redirect to a website or a specic section.
Teal
Key information appears in teal, including
management page text such as menus, items,
buttons and so on.
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
• Specic product information can be found on the product page at
https://www.tp-link.com.
• A Technical Community is provided for you to discuss our products
at https://community.tp-link.com.
• Our Technical Support contact information can be found at the
Help center of the Deco app and the Contact Technical Support
page at https://www.tp-link.com/support.
Speed/Coverage/Device Quantity Disclaimer
Maximum wireless signal rates are the physical rates derived from IEEE
Standard 802.11 specications. Actual wireless data throughput and
wireless coverage, and quantity of connected devices are not guaranteed
and will vary as a result of network conditions, client limitations, and
environmental factors, including building materials, obstacles, volume and
density of trac, and client location.
Wi-Fi 6 Disclaimer
Use of Wi-Fi 6 and other features including OFDMA, MU-MIMO, 1024-
QAM, and BSS Color require clients to support the corresponding features.
Seamless Roaming Disclaimer
Clients need to support 802.11k/v/r and may require additional set up.
Performance may vary depending on the client device.
HomeShield Disclaimer
HomeShield includes the Free Basic Plan. Fees apply for the Pro Plan. Visit
https://www.tp-link.com/homeshield/ for more information.
WPA3 Disclaimer
Use of WPA3 encryption requires clients to also support the
corresponding feature.

2
Appearance
Each Deco has an LED that changes color according to its status, four RJ-45 Ethernet ports, two analog phone ports, a USB 3.0 port, a DSL port, a
power slot, and a Reset button.
Tip: The product label can be found at the bottom of the product.
Pulse yellow:
Deco is resetting.
Solid yellow:
Deco is starting up.
Pulse blue:
Deco is ready for setup
or WPS in progress.
Solid blue:
Deco is setting up.
Pulse green:
Deco is upgrading rmware.
Solid green:
Deco is all set up and connected.
Pulse red:
The satellite Deco is disconnected
from the main Deco.
Solid red:
Deco has an issue.
Gigabit Ethernet Ports:
For connecting to your modem, the Ethernet outlet, or for other internet services.
Note: All WAN/LAN ports will operate as either WAN or LAN p
orts. Only one port can serve as a WAN port at a time.
DSL Port:
For connecting Deco to the internet. Connect the port to the splitter or directly to the phone jack
via a phone cable.
USB 3.0 Port:
For connecting to a USB storage device.
Power Slot:
For connecting Deco to the power socket via the provided power adapter.
Analog Phone Ports (FXS):
For connecting to your analog phone. Up to 2 analog phones can be connected to the Deco.
Reset Button:
Press for 1 second and release to reset Deco to factory default settings.
The light changing from pulsing yellow to solid yellow indicates a successful reset.

3
Before You Start
You can set up your Deco as a DSL modem router or a wireless router to meet the needs of different network scenarios.
DSL Modem Router Mode
When working in DSL Modem Router mode, Deco connects to the internet via a phone cable.
Follow Set Up Your Deco for DSL Modem Router Mode to set up your Deco.
Wireless Router Mode
When working in Wireless Router mode, Deco connects to the internet via an Ethernet cable. If you already have a modem or your internet comes via
an Ethernet cable from the wall, you can set the Deco as a regular wireless router to share the internet.
Follow Set Up Your Deco for Wireless Router Mode to set up your Deco.

4
Set Up Your Deco for DSL Modem Router Mode
When working in DSL Modem Router mode, Deco connects to the internet via a phone cable. The intuitive Deco app guides you through an easy setup
process that gets each unit up and all your devices connected.
Follow the steps below to set up your Deco for DSL Modem Router mode.
1. Download and install the Deco app
Scan the QR code below or go to Google
Play or the App Store to download the Deco
app. Install the app on your Android or iOS
smartphone or tablet.
or
2. Log in with TP-Link ID
Open the app. Use your TP-Link ID to log in. If
you don’t have a TP-Link ID, sign up first.
Note: If you forgot your login password, tap Forgot Password?.
The Deco app will guide you through the rest.
3. Identify your Deco
Choose your Deco model.

5
4. Choose an operation mode
Select DSL Modem Router.
5. Connect the splitter
If you need phone service, connect your Deco
to the splitter and connect the DSL splitter to
the phone jack. If not, connect your Deco to
the phone jack with the provided phone cable.
6. Power on your Deco
Power on your Deco and wait until the LED
pulses blue.

6
7. Connet the analog phone
Connect the analog phone to the fxs port of
your Deco.
8. Connect to Deco's Wi-Fi
Find the Deco which is connected to the
splitter or the phone jack, then connect your
phone/tablet to the Deco's Wi-Fi using the
default SSID (Deco_XXXX) printed on the
product label.
9. Select a location
Select a location for Deco. If its location is not
listed, you can create a new one by choosing
Custom. This will be the name of your Deco.

7
10. Select your ISP
Choose your current region and ISP (Internet
Service Provider). If you can not find your ISP
in the list, select Other.
11. Select your DSL internet connection type
Select your DSL internet connection type. If
you are not sure, contact your ISP (Internet
Service Provider).
12. Set up internet connection
Select your internet connection type and enter
the necessary information. If you are not sure,
contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

8
13. Create your Wi-Fi network
Set a network name and a password. These
will be the name and password you use to
connect your devices to Wi-Fi.
14. Connect to your Wi-Fi network
Connect your smartphone/tablet to the
Deco's Wi-Fi.
15. Set VoIP
Add your telephone accounts to the Deco and
start making phone calls over the internet.

9
17. Setup complete
Your Deco network is now up. Connect all
devices to the network. You can also Add
More Decos to expand the Wi-Fi coverage.
16. Add telephone numbers
Add your telephone numbers to the Deco to
make phone calls over the internet.

10
Set Up Your Deco for Wireless Router Mode
When working in Wireless Router mode, Deco connects to the internet via an Ethernet cable. If you already have a modem or your internet comes via
an Ethernet cable from the wall, you can set the Deco as a regular wireless router to share the internet.
The intuitive Deco app guides you through an easy setup process that gets each unit up and all your devices connected. Follow the steps below to set
up your Deco for Wireless Router mode.
1. Download and install the Deco app
Scan the QR code below or go to Google
Play or the App Store to download the Deco
app. Install the app on your Android or iOS
smartphone or tablet.
or
2. Log in with TP-Link ID
Open the app. Use your TP-Link ID to log in. If
you don’t have a TP-Link ID, sign up first.
Note: If you forgot your login password, tap Forgot Password?.
The Deco app will guide you through the rest.
3. Identify your Deco
Choose your Deco model.

11
4. Choose an operation mode
Select Wireless Router.
5. Plug in your devices
Power off your modem. Connect your Deco to
the modem and power them both on.
If you don't have a modem, connect the
Ethernet outlet directly to your Deco.
6. Power on your Deco
Power on your Deco and wait until the LED
pulses blue.

12
7. Connet the analog phone
Connect the analog phone to the fxs port of
your Deco.
8. Connect to Deco's Wi-Fi
Find the Deco which is connected to the
splitter or the phone jack, then connect your
phone/tablet to the Deco's Wi-Fi using the
default SSID (Deco_XXXX) printed on the
product label.
9. Select a location
Select a location for Deco. If its location is not
listed, you can create a new one by choosing
Custom. This will be the name of your Deco.

13
10. Set up internet connection
Select the internet connection type and enter
the information. If you are not sure, contact
your internet service provider.
11. Create your Wi-Fi network
Set a network name and a password. These
will be the name and password you use to
connect your devices to Wi-Fi.
12. Connect to your Wi-Fi network
Connect your smartphone/tablet to the
Deco's Wi-Fi.

14
15. Setup complete
Your Deco network is now up. Connect all
devices to the network. You can also Add
More Decos to expand the Wi-Fi coverage.
14. Add telephone numbers
Add your telephone numbers to the Deco to
make phone calls over the internet.
13. Set VoIP
Add your telephone accounts to the Deco and
start making phone calls over the internet.

15
Dashboard
After you successfully set up your Deco network, you will see the dashboard of the Deco app. Here you can get an overview of the network status, find
your missed calls and unread voicemail quickly, create shortcut and automation, customize your home network with enhanced security using a kit of
features built to TP-Link HomeShield and set up various advanced features.
Tap to get an overview of the
network status and nd your missed
calls or unread voicemails.
Tap to create shortcut or
automation.
Tap to enter the HomeShield
page for enhanced security.
Tap for more features.

16
Add More Decos
After creating a Deco network, you can add more Decos to the network to expand the Wi-Fi coverage and manage them easily on your Deco app.
1. In Overview, tap +> DECOS.
2. Select the Deco model you want to add, and
follow app instructions to complete the setup.

17
Check Deco Status
In Overview, you can check the working status (online/offline) of all the Decos, check the details (speed/Deco's IP address & MAC address/connected
clients) of each Deco unit, change the Deco's location/name, and more.
Tap to check all Decos' status. Tap a Deco unit to check more details. Check download/upload speed of the Deco.