@PeppeB  Hello, 

Thank you for your valuable feedback, as far as we know only IOS devices will warn weak security for non WPA2 AES encryption, does Windows computer aslo have the same warning? Here is the related FAQ: 

https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/2943/

Please ensure TL-WA1201 use a different SSID from router's wifi name to isloate the issue can you share a photo of the weak security Error on your devices? Thank you. 

May I know the model of your router and the network topology, eg: Router Archer C7 <wireless> TL-WA1201 (RE Mode)? Can you share with us a photo of the wireless security settings on main router,  and what are the devices (model and OS) that reports weak security, thank you. 

@Solla-topee Hi,

Thank you for your speedy reply. The warning is shown on both Windows and Apple devices. My OS versions are 

• macOs Big Sur 11.5
• iPhone 14.7.1
• Windows 10 Pro 21H1

Unfortunately, I can’t take any screenshots since I decided to go back to my old extender (a TP-Link powerline extender), that I can easily configure to only use WPA2-PSK AES and consequently no warning messages occur. I bought the TL-WA1201 in order to use the 5GHz band but the signal is too weak anyway. 

I believe it would be a good thing if the TL-WA1201 could be configured to only use WPA2-PSK AES when used as a range extender. This is possible if you use it in client mode or in multi-SSID. 

@PeppeB Thanks for the further information, it is pretty weird that Windows also reports the weak security error, WA1201 should also support WPA2-PSK AES as my understanding,may I have a chance to know the model of your router by the way, and we would also keep attention to similar feedback ,thank you very much. 

@Solla-topee Hello,

My router is an Arris Mitrastar GPT-2541GNAC for fiber optics. It’s configured to use WPA2-PSK AES on both bands (2.4 GHz / 5GHz). It doesn’t support WPA3.

The TL-WA1201, if used as a range extender, can only be configured with WPA/WPA2-PSK personal and you cannot choose between AES and TKIP. Both Windows and Apple devices show the weak security warning.

My old AV500 Powerline (TL-WPA4226) can be configured to only use WPA2-PSK AES. No warning messages on Windows nor Apple. However, only works well on Apple, is very unstable on Windows with this security.

Incidentally, I also have a RE580D and it can be configured to use only WPA2, but you cannot choose between AES or TKIP encryption. With this range extender I don’t get any warning message on Windows, but I still do on all Apple devices. The RE580D v1.0 gives me a very stable connection. (FW 20171220 rel. 57215(EU)) and is clearly the best solution at the time being.

If I connect directly to the Mitrastar router, without any range extender, no warning messages are shown on any device regardless OS.

Below a screenshot of the warning message when connected to RE580D on my Mac. Weak security (WPA) despite the fact that it is configured with WPA2?

@PeppeB 

Thank you for the further information, we would share this TL-WA1201 case to our team to double-check.

IOS 14 and above only recognized AES of WPA2 or WPA3, RE580D could not sync the AES only encryption, so IOS says weak security.

As the model is pretty old the related firmware is still under evaluation, thank you for your feedback.