---
title: "FCC Finds New Grounds to Ban TP-Link Routers: Power Limit Exceeded"
description: "The FCC has sent letters to TP-Link regarding power limit violations in four router models and a potential sales ban. The company calls these isolated deviations and promises to re-verify the data by October 30."
date: 2026-10-28T17:41:26.970Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/fcc-warning-tplink-router-power-limits-exceeded
tags: [fcc, tp-link, routers, wifi, usa, cybersecurity, hardware]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# FCC Finds New Grounds to Ban TP-Link Routers: Power Limit Exceeded

![Black modern TP-Link router with multiple antennas standing on a white background](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/28/fcc-uprezhdenie-tplink-prevyshenie-moshchnosti-routerov/fcc-uprezhdenie-tplink-prevyshenie-moshchnosti-routerov-1.webp)

## Key Points

- The FCC informed TP-Link that three out of four router models exceeded power limits and that certification applications contained false information
- The deadline for submitting a response and documentation is October 30; national security specialists have been brought into the correspondence
- TP-Link calls the situation "isolated deviations" and notes that these devices account for less than 0.33% of U.S. sales
- Amid a March import ban on foreign routers without waivers, TP-Link is ready to invest $1 billion in U.S. manufacturing

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has sent two letters to the California-based division of TP-Link Systems, in which the regulator's Office of Engineering and Technology reports that several of the company's router models have exceeded established power limits. According to preliminary FCC data, TP-Link "provided false or inaccurate information in certification applications" for four models, three of which testing showed went beyond acceptable power thresholds. Experts note that this could serve as grounds for banning the sale of even those devices already on the market.

### Which Models Are Affected by the Audit

According to the regulator, a wide range of products is involved: from a premium Archer-series gaming router retailing for around $600 to a compact entry-level travel device costing roughly $140. In letters dated October 15, the FCC demands that TP-Link "provide a detailed response with supporting documentation by October 30," while also involving the agency's national security specialists in the correspondence.

### TP-Link's Position: "Isolated Deviations"

A TP-Link representative stated that the company will review the router data, retest them if necessary, and take corrective action if a problem is found. According to the representative, potential violations of this nature should be viewed merely as "isolated deviations from the norm." They also emphasized that these four devices collectively account for less than 0.33% of the company's total U.S. sales this year.

### Context: Company Split and Security Concerns

TP-Link, founded in China three decades ago, completed its split into two independent structures in 2024: an American division headquartered in Irvine, California, and a Chinese division based in Shenzhen. The U.S. company has sought to distance itself from its Chinese counterpart; however, according to a Bloomberg investigation last year, it still maintains extensive operations in mainland China. Some U.S. officials express concern that the Chinese government might attempt to co-opt TP-Link into cyberattacks, though the company itself rejects such suggestions.

### What's Next: Import Ban and Push for U.S. Manufacturing

In March, the FCC imposed a ban on the sale of all new foreign-made router models unless a company obtains a special waiver. TP-Link's competitors—Netgear, Eero (owned by Amazon.com), and Asustek Computer—have already secured such waivers, whereas TP-Link has not. Recently, the company expressed readiness to invest $1 billion in establishing manufacturing facilities in the United States, hoping to secure regulatory approval this way. The outcome of the correspondence with FCC, which must conclude by October 30, could determine whether TP-Link remains in the U.S. market or yields it to competitors who have already completed the certification process.

## Accounts differ

### Nature and severity of identified power deviations

- **FCC (Office of Engineering and Technology):** The company provided false or inaccurate information in certification applications for four router models. ([3dnews.ru](https://3dnews.ru/1150498/ssha-nashli-noviy-povod-zapretit-routeri-tplink-oni-slishkom-moshchnie))
- **TP-Link:** Potential violations of this nature should be viewed merely as isolated deviations from the norm; the company will review data and retest devices if necessary. ([3dnews.ru](https://3dnews.ru/1150498/ssha-nashli-noviy-povod-zapretit-routeri-tplink-oni-slishkom-moshchnie))

*Where they agree:* FCC testing confirmed that three out of four TP-Link router models exceeded permissible power limits.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [США нашли новый повод запретить роутеры TP-Link — они слишком мощные window-new](https://3dnews.ru/1150498/ssha-nashli-noviy-povod-zapretit-routeri-tplink-oni-slishkom-moshchnie) - Primary source: FCC letters dated October 15, power violations in 3 of 4 models, response deadline October 30, TP-Link's stance, company split, March ban, $1 billion investment.

## FAQ

### What specifically did the FCC accuse TP-Link of?

According to preliminary FCC data, TP-Link provided false or inaccurate information in certification applications for four router models, three of which exceeded permissible power limits during testing.

### Which models are affected?

Products ranging from a premium Archer-series gaming router (around $600) to a compact entry-level travel device (around $140).

### How did TP-Link react?

The company stated it will review the data, retest devices if necessary, and fix the issue, calling the situation "isolated deviations from the norm." These four devices account for less than 0.33% of U.S. sales.

### What are the response deadlines?

The FCC demands a detailed response with supporting documentation by October 30, with national security specialists involved in the correspondence.

### Could this lead to a sales ban?

Experts believe that exceeding power limits could become grounds for banning the sale of models already on the market. The outcome depends on TP-Link's response and the regulator's stance.