Google's OnHub Router, made by TP-Link, aims to take the hassle out of setting up a Wi-Fi network. It streamlines the process but also removes a lot of customizability along the way. If you're looking for a powerful, simple router for multiple wireless devices and you don't need advanced configuration or more than one ethernet port, OnHub might be right for you.
Similarly to our other recommended hardware, the OnHub sports dual-band wireless networking using the 802.11ac specification and has 13 MIMO antennas to back it up. The 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) network will support older b,g, and n devices at up to 100 Mbps while the 5 GHz network will provide the best experience for newer AC and N devices at up to 300 Mbps. For the fastest speed, we recommend using Cat6 Ethernet to connect your most important device to the gigabit ethernet port whenever possible.
Features
Setup
Using the Google On App
No Internet Connection
Slow Connection / Packet Loss
Forgotten Network Password
Deciphering LED Patterns
Features
- Auto channel-select every 5 minutes to improve signal strength in crowded areas
- 13 MIMO antennas
- Automatic QoS for your most bandwidth-hungry devices
- Automatic firmware updates
- Only a single LAN Eth port. Best suited to Wi-Fi only uses
- Bluetooth and Zigbee hardware support
- Built-in speaker for notifications and android pairing
Setup
Before proceeding with setting up the OnHub, ensure it is connected to power and the WAN ethernet port is connected to the LAN ethernet port on your Ting Internet Box (ONT).
Using the Google On App for Android
- Download and install the Google On app
- The app will automatically locate the onhub using an audio tone and your phone’s microphone – turn off your music for a couple minutes while this magic happens
- Once the phone detects the OnHub, tap connect
- If the audio connect doesn’t work, you can manually enter the network name and setup code from the bottom of the OnHub
- Once the connection is established, the app will walk you through the setup process where you’ll create a network name and password
- During the setup process, the OnHub may need to download a firmware upgrade. This will happen automatically and may take up to 15 minutes
Using the Google On App for iOS
- Download and install the Google On App
- Find the setup name and code printed on the bottom of the OnHub.
- Open your wireless settings menu and tap on the OnHub’s network name in the devices list
- Enter the code when prompted
- Open the Google On app – your IOS device will automatically be paired to the OnHub
- The app will walk you through setting your network name and password
- During the setup process, the OnHub may need to download a firmware upgrade. This will happen automatically and may take up to 15 minutes
Troubleshooting
No Internet
- Open the On app
- In the overview screen, tap the network check icon in the bottom-right corner
- The app will perform a check for your down, up, and Wi-Fi speeds. This should take 30-40 seconds
- When it’s done, you’ll see the results along with a brief explanation
- Ensure the ONT and the OnHub both have power
- Attempt a direct wired connection to the OnHub
- Ensure the client device is getting an IP address from the OnHub
On a Mac:
- Open terminal (CMD + Space to open spotlight, then type terminal)
- Run ifconfig
- Ensure there is a value for inet and it is in the same subnet as the OnHub
On Windows
- Using Command Prompt:
- Win+R to open run prompt
- Type cmd and press enter
- Run ipconfig
- Find the appropriate interface’s heading. For a wired connection, it will look something like Ethernet Adapter Local Connection or for a Wi-Fi connection, Wireless LAN adapter. There will likely be a lot of text and you may have to scroll with your mouse wheel to find the right one.
- Ensure there is a value for IPV4 address and it is within the same subnet as the gateway. Hint: look at the first three octets; make sure those of the gateway match those of the client device
- Using Network Properties:
- Right click on the network icon in the system tray
- Select Open Network and Sharing Center
- Under View your active networks, click on the Local Area Connection link for the ZyXel connection
- Click Details
- Ensure IPv4 address has a value (not null) and that it is within the subnet of the gateway
Slow connection / Packet loss
- If you are using a corporate firewall or Antivirus, remove these from the equation while testing. Reboot your test machine into safe mode with networking and bypass all network equipment apart from the provided ONT.
- Note: Pings to Google.com or Google's DNS servers may be filtered out as DoS traffic. If you're performing a pingtest, choose a different IP or host (such as charlottesville.speedtest.ting.com).
- If your tests are successful when you remove the OnHub, check your DHCP configuration, and replace any network cables between the OnHub and your client devices.
Forgotten Network Password
- Open the On app
- On the overview screen, tap the Wi-Fi access tab
- tap the share password button in the lower-right corner. This will give you the option to share via email, SMS, or any other messaging app you please.
- See Google's help page for more information and screenshots of this process
Deciphering LED Patterns
| Color | What it means | What to do about it |
| No Light | The OnHub has no power or the light was turned off in the app | Ensure the OnHub is plugged in with the provided power supply and enable the light through the Google On App |
| solid Teal | All systems go! | Bask in the glory of crazy fast fiber internet |
| Blue Pulse | OnHub is ready for setup or downloading an update | Check out the Google On App to complete setup or check the update status |
| Solid Blue | Onhub is undergoing a full factory reset | Wait about 5 minutes until the light changes to flashing blue. Then go through the setup process from the beginning |
| Amber Pulse | OnHub has no Internet Connection | Double-check the ethernet cable from the Ting Internet Box (ONT) to the OnHub. Replace that cable then refer to the "No Internet Connection" section above |
| Red Pulse | OnHub has a problem | Get in touch with Google to seek assistance |