Important — Download the Deco App Before You Begin

The Deco M5 is configured through the TP-Link Deco App. You’ll need a smartphone or tablet to complete setup.

We recommend downloading the Deco App before disconnecting your existing Internet equipment whenever possible.

If the temporary Deco network does not provide Internet access, use mobile data or temporarily connect to another available Internet connection to download the Deco App.

Before You Begin

Make sure you have:

• Your TP-Link Deco M5 unit or units
• A smartphone or tablet
• Your Wakey Internet modem or active Ethernet Internet connection
• An Ethernet cable
• The TP-Link Deco App
• A free TP-Link account

For iPhone and iPad users, make sure the Deco App has permission to access your Local Network when prompted.

What Your Setup Will Look Like

Your modem provides the Internet connection. Your Deco M5 takes that connection and creates your home Wi-Fi network.

Get the Deco App

Android:
Download the Deco App from the Google Play Store.

iPhone / iPad:
Download the Deco App from the Apple App Store.

Once installed, open the app and allow any required Bluetooth or Local Network permissions requested by your device.

Sign In or Create Your Account

Already have a TP-Link account?
Sign in using your existing TP-Link ID.

New to TP-Link?
Tap “Don’t have an Account” and follow the prompts to create a free account.

If you’ve forgotten your password, select Forgot Password and follow the recovery instructions.

Get Your Deco Ready for Setup

1 — Connect Power

Plug your Deco M5 into power and allow it a couple of minutes to start up.

2 — Look for a Flashing Blue Light

When the Deco M5 is ready for initial setup, its LED should be flashing/pulsing blue.

Once the light is flashing blue, your Deco should also begin broadcasting its temporary Deco_XXXX setup network.

Not Flashing Blue?

If your Deco M5 is not flashing blue, it may still have a previous configuration stored and may need to be reset before setup.

Reset the Deco M5:

1. Keep the Deco connected to power.
2. Locate the recessed RESET button on the unit.
3. Using a paper clip or pin, press and hold the RESET button for approximately 15 seconds.
4. Release the button. The Deco will power-cycle and restart automatically.
5. Allow the unit a couple of minutes to restart.

You should also see the temporary Deco_XXXX Wi-Fi network become available on your phone, tablet or computer.

See Deco_XXXX? You’re Ready!

The temporary Deco_XXXX network should normally be open by default during initial setup.

You can connect your phone or tablet to this network to continue configuring your Deco.

If your Wakey modem is already online and connected to the Deco, you may also be able to use this temporary connection to download the Deco App first and configure your permanent Wi-Fi name and password afterward.

In the Deco App

Tap “Let’s Begin”

Option A — Connect by Wi-Fi

Your phone may automatically connect to the Deco’s temporary setup network.

If your phone doesn’t connect automatically:

1. Open the Wi-Fi settings on your phone or tablet.
2. Look for the Deco network shown on the label underneath the unit.
3. Connect to that network.
4. Return to the Deco App.

Option B — Bluetooth Discovery

Depending on your phone and app version, the Deco App may also discover the Deco M5 using Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled and allow the Deco App to use it if prompted.

Connect the Modem & Deco

1 — Turn Off the Modem

Disconnect your Wakey modem from power.

2 — Connect Ethernet

Connect an Ethernet cable from:

3 — Turn the Modem Back On

Reconnect power to your modem.

4 — Wait for the Modem

Allow the modem to fully reconnect to the Wakey network before continuing.

Important — Your Deco Should Be the Only Device Connected to the Modem

For Wakey standalone cable modems, connect your main Deco to LAN Port 1 on the modem.

Do not connect another computer, router or device to the modem’s second Ethernet port. Your main Deco should be the only device connected directly to the modem.

Name the Room

You can select a location such as:

• Living Room
• Office
• Bedroom
• Basement
• Another custom location

This simply helps identify the Deco inside the app. It does not affect your Internet connection or Wi-Fi performance.

Wakey Cable Internet

Select: Dynamic IP

Dynamic IP is the correct option for nearly all Wakey Cable Internet connections.

Choose Your Wi-Fi Name

Your Wi-Fi name, also called an SSID, is the network name your devices will see.

Create Your Wi-Fi Password

Choose a secure password containing at least 8 characters.

You’ll use this password to connect your phones, computers, televisions and other wireless devices.

Changing From an Existing Router?

If you reuse your previous Wi-Fi network name and password exactly, some of your existing devices may reconnect automatically. Otherwise, you’ll need to reconnect each device using your new Wi-Fi credentials.

Your Deco Will Now Configure Itself

After saving your Wi-Fi settings:

1. The Deco M5 will apply your configuration.
2. Your phone or tablet may temporarily disconnect.
3. Open your device’s Wi-Fi settings.
4. Select the Wi-Fi network you just created.
5. Enter your new Wi-Fi password.
6. Return to the Deco App to complete setup.

A brief disconnection during this step is completely normal.

Your Deco M5 Is Ready to Go

Your Deco M5 should now be online and broadcasting your new Wi-Fi network.

You can begin connecting your phones, computers, televisions, streaming devices and other Wi-Fi equipment using the network name and password you created.

Modem  →  Deco  →  Wi-Fi  →  You’re Online!

Add Another Deco

1 — Start Nearby

For initial setup, place the additional Deco M5 in the same room as your main Deco.

2 — Connect Power

Plug the additional Deco into power and give it approximately two minutes to start.

3 — Add or Discover the Deco

Follow the prompts in the Deco App to add the additional unit to your existing Deco network.

4 — Move It Into Position

Once the additional Deco has joined your network, move it to the area where you need additional coverage and give it a few minutes to reconnect.

Good Deco Placement

• Place Deco units in open areas.
• Keep them away from microwaves and other sources of wireless interference.
• Position additional Decos between the main Deco and the area needing better coverage.
• Keep them elevated where practical.
• Try to minimize the number of walls and floors between Deco units.

Your additional Deco needs a good connection back to the rest of the mesh network in order to provide a good connection to your devices.

Avoid These Locations

• Inside closets
• Inside or beside metal cabinets
• Behind televisions
• Directly beside large appliances
• At the far edge of an area where the existing Wi-Fi signal is already extremely weak

Don’t place an additional Deco directly inside a Wi-Fi dead zone. Place it between the main Deco and the weak area so it can maintain a strong connection to the mesh.

Deco Isn’t Ready for Setup?

If the Deco has previously been configured or isn’t entering setup mode, you may need to reset it before starting again.

Locate the RESET button on the Deco M5 and follow the reset process, then allow approximately two minutes for the unit to restart.

When the LED is pulsing blue, the Deco is ready to be configured in the Deco App.

No Internet After Setup?

Check these items first:

1. Make sure the Wakey modem is fully online.
2. Make sure the main Deco is connected to LAN Port 1 on the modem.
3. Verify the Ethernet cable is securely connected at both ends.
4. Confirm Dynamic IP was selected for your Wakey Cable Internet connection.
5. Restart the modem.
6. Wait for the modem to fully reconnect.
7. Restart the main Deco M5.

Try a Clean Restart

If everything appears connected correctly but you still don’t have Internet, restart the equipment in this order:

This allows the modem to establish the Internet connection before the Deco requests connectivity from it.

Restarting and Factory Resetting Are Different

For most problems, start by restarting the modem and Deco rather than factory resetting them.

A factory reset removes the Deco’s existing configuration and may require you to set up the unit again through the Deco App.

The Wakey Crew Is Here to Help

If your Deco M5 still isn’t connecting after following the steps above, reach out to the Wakey Crew.

Before contacting us, it’s helpful to check:

• What colour the Deco LED is showing
• Whether your modem is fully online
• Whether the Deco is connected to LAN Port 1 on the modem
• Whether the issue affects all devices or only one device

That information helps us get to the next troubleshooting step faster.