TL-WPA8630P WiFi Extender makes main router SSID disappear

[retsigam]

I recently bought a TP-LINK TL-WPA8630P WiFi Extender to extend the WiFi signal at my house. My main router, located in the back of the house, is a TL-WR1043ND. I went through the setup process of plugging both units into the wall, getting them paired (everything went fine) and then connecting the non-AP end into my main router. Then, I took the other part of the WiFi Extender (the AP) to the other side of my house, where it is happily transmitting and connectable.

The only problem is, for some reason that I cannot fathom, my main router is no longer broadcasting its SSID. I've tried power cycling the router, rebooting it via the web interface and factory resetting the router. Each time, the SSID appears for a minute or so and then vanishes (confirmed with WiFi Analyzer app for Android).

I've tried making the WiFi Extender have the same SSID/password as the router.
I've tried making the WiFi Extender have a different SSID/password than the router.
I've tried manually entering the not-broadcasted-SSID/password in my phone to try to connect. No dice.
I've tried factory resetting the WiFi Extender AP.
I've tried disabling the 5GHz radio on the WiFi Extender AP.
I've confirmed via the main router's web interface that the 2.4GHz radio reports being ON.
I've confirmed that the firmware is up to date on both devices.

I can find nothing online about this. Somehow, just having the WiFi Extender configured and plugged into my router makes the router give up on life and refuse to broadcast its SSID.

This is frustrating the heck out of me. If anyone can help me with this, I would be extremely appreciative! I'm perfectly happy to answer or provide any further detail anyone might need.

Thanks for your time!

 

[retsigam]

Update:

I was in communication with TP-LINK and was going around gathering information they requested. At one point, I unplugged the Wifi extender's AP unit from A/C power and when it came back online this time, the main house router's SSID didn't disappear. I have no idea why. I had previously factory reset the wifi extender AP unit, which I would have thought would be the same or better than physically power cycling it. In total, all I did was:

1. Unplug wifi extender AP unit from A/C power
2. Reboot router via web interface
3. Plug wifi extender AP unit back into the wall

For now, both SSIDs are up. Hopefully it lasts and the problem was some weird electro-mechanical thing that required a hard power cycling...

Thanks to everyone who at least read my question! I hope my stumbling "answer" helps someone else out in the future.