Tenda N301 Tutorial
by: Micheal O.
Last Updated: May 5, 2017
Part 3: A Strange Bug and a Strange Problem
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While I was setting the router up, I encountered a strange bug. Being a longtime user of computers and a former CS major, I decided I would find a way to solve the problem. The problem is shown below:
Image of Tenda N301 Bug. This bug prevents you from entering your wireless key if it contains any characters that are not alphanumeric.
The problem is that the router's web interface refused to accept any wireless key with a character other than the ones in the set [0-9] and [a-b][A-B]. In other words, any wireless password with any symbols, such as "5%bArF0AFmicM4N" would be rejected because of the "%" symbol, even if the router you are connecting to has the symbol in it's key.
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The good news is that there is a simple fix to this problem; this will also work for any router that has a similar bug or refuses to accept your key properly.
DISCLAIMER: Although I have yet to run into problems setting up my Tenda N300 or other routers using this method, it is important to note that any mistake may result in damage to the router or other unforeseen behavior! Changing other settings besides the ones listed in this guide may also move your router out of spec; it is not advised that you modify anything but exactly what is shown below. As such, I offer this information with no warranties express or implied!
Step 1:
Recall the screen from above. If you have encountered this problem, then enter a dummy password like “myrouterpassword” into key field and hit apply for now.
At this screen, you should enter a dummy password like "myrouterpassword" and save it as your router's password.
Step 2:
Next, you must click the “Tools” tab at the top. You should see something similar to the image below:
Image of Tenda N301 Tools tab.
Step 3:
Next, you must click “Backup/Restore.” You must click “backup” on this page and then save the router’s *.cfg file. Make sure you save it in an easily accessible location.
Image of the Backup/Restore page on the Tenda N301's configuration website.
Step 4:
Next, navigate or open the *.cfg file with a text editor like Notepad, Notepad++, or GNU nano. Make sure the text editor saves in plain text. DO NOT USE MICROSOFT WORD or other Office suites. With the file opened, it should look similar to this:
Image of the N301's CFG file opened in Microsoft Notepad
Step 5:
Now, recall we typed in “myrouterpassword” into the password bar as a placeholder earlier. We will now search for it in the router’s configuration file that we have opened. To do this, hit CTRL + F, and type in “myrouterpassword” as seen below. Clicking once should take you to the area you want to edit.
Image of the opened router configuration file being searched in Notepad
Step 6:
Now you can type your the proper key of the router, in my case the key was &80bA50#F@T5O. Hit CTRL + S to save the file. Next return to the Backup/Restore window in your browser and select the file you want to restore, then hit “restore”. The router should reboot.
Image of the Backup/Restore page. This time you will upload your modified configuration file by selecting "restore" and choosing the modified file you have just modified in Notepad.
If all is successful and no other special configuration is needed, then you should see a screen like the one below and be able to browse the Internet! Congrats and enjoy using your router!
