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John999's avatar
John999
Aspirant
Jan 06, 2019

PLW1010 PowerLine WiFi no ethernet light

I just purchased today a set of two PowerLine adapters model PLW1010-100NAS and I am having problems with the Wi-Fi unit not receiving Ethernet.   I have the Netgear "sending" unit (without anten...
Installation
John999's avatar
John999
Aspirant
Jan 06, 2019

UPDATE

My Powerline Wi-Fi extender is working fine.

 

The Quick Start guide for the Powerline WiFi products is unclear..  


When you only use Wi-Fi in the receiving unit, the Ethernet LED does not light, but the internet is still connected. The receiving unit LED only illuminates when it connected to a device using an Ethernet cable.

 

If the instructions had made this clear, it would have saved me a lot of time!

  • michaelkenward's avatar
    michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jan 07, 2019
    It could be clearer, you are not the first person confused by that, but the manual does say:
     
    Ethernet LED         Solid. The Ethernet port is linked.
                                   Off. No Ethernet connection is detected.
     
    It is the blue wifi LED that tells you the state of the wireless.
     

    There is support and a manual for the PLW1010 somewhere at the end of this link:

     

    >>>> PLW1010 | Product | Support | NETGEAR <<<<

     

    See the section Meet Your Adapters.

     
    • schumaku's avatar
      schumaku
      Guru - Experienced User
      Jan 07, 2019

      Can't see anything wrong.

       

      Ethernet <> Internet ... definitively two different items. 

       

      Except that some docs are over-texted. As such a device does establish pure Layer 2 communication, does not "connect" to the Internet in any way, I can't see why thee should be an Internet LED or why one should describe anything about Internet connectivity.

      An over-texted thing is the "Pick a plug LED" in my opinion.

       

      Such a device has three network interfaces, and three associated LED:

      • Powerline  (with the "Pick a plug LED")
      • Wireless (with the Wireless LED)
      • Ethernet (with the Ethernet link and activity LED)

      With Ethernet not connected to another active Ethernet device, the Ethernet LED is off.

       

      The Troubleshooting Tips clearly say:

       

      Ethernet LED is off. • Make sure that the Ethernet cables are working and securely plugged into the devices.

       

      Granted: There is only one Ethernet port so it's a little bit difficult to plug multiple cables and devices.