This topic

Replacing a BTHUB6

pintokitkat — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 14:53:19 GMT

I'm on my sencond BTHUB6 (Fibre 2) and the wifi is feeble and the hub drops connection to the internet regulalry (once or twice a week - always when it's needed most!)

So I decided to swap it and looking through this community's messages thought I had worked out what was needed. So I bought a tp-link AC1900 (Archer C80) router from BT.

It arrived today and looking at the connections on the back, there isn't anywhere to plug in the RJ11 plug from the Openreach socket, and the intructions say 'unplug your modem from the current router and plug it into this new one' or words to that effect.

I don't have a modem any longer. I used to have one of the white ones, but that disappeared when my router was replaced by BT some years ago.

Have I bought the wrong router? Do I need to buy a reconditioned openreach modem as well?

Or does the RJ45 on the Openreach socket plug into the WAN port on the new router?

ADSL, VDSL phone-line connections - argh! Brain has gone to mush.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Andy

Re: Replacing a BTHUB6

imjolly — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 14:59:01 GMT

you have bought a router not a modem/router hence why you cannot connect the rj11 can you not return it and get the modem/router version

Re: Replacing a BTHUB6

pintokitkat — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 10:55:15 GMT

Thank you for the prompt response.

I contacted BT and told them what happened, and I asked them for their recommendation of a suitable alternative for the Bthub6. They told me that they aren't trained in the products they sell and that I'd need to research it for myself.

So in the face of that wonderful customer service, I'm again asking for help.

I just want a reliable modem router:

that doesn't randomly drop the connection to the internet;
with wifi that will reach through a couple of stud walls;
which doesn't forget the SSID and password I've set whenever the mood takes it; and
that allows me to use channels other than 1, 6 or 11, which are crammed full by the neighbours.

Budget isn't too relevant just as long as I get what I need.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Andy

Re: Replacing a BTHUB6

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 10:58:02 GMT

@pintokitkat

This one is very popular, and works with all BT services.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/dsl-modem-router/archer-vr400/v2/

Re: Replacing a BTHUB6

CJT80 — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:24:44 GMT

@pintokitkat

Also have a check here on returning it to BT - Returning Goods - Our Returns Policy | BT Shop

Re: Replacing a BTHUB6

TimCurtis — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:25:32 GMT

@Keith_Beddoe

Is the VR400 V2 preferred to the V3 version? I'm asking out of total ignorance btw.

Re: Replacing a BTHUB6

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:32:30 GMT

@TimCurtis wrote:

@Keith_Beddoe

Is the VR400 V2 preferred to the V3 version? I'm asking out of total ignorance btw.

The V3 is only needed if you intend to add TP Link`s mesh system, otherwise the V2 is fine.

Whole-Home Coverage with OneMesh^TM – Works alongside TP-Link OneMesh^TM products to create a flexible Mesh network"

Re: Replacing a BTHUB6

pintokitkat — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:46:19 GMT

Everyone, thank you so much. Absolutely brilliant responses. Speedy, unambiguous and helpful.

I'll order the router today.

Andy

Re: Replacing a BTHUB6

pintokitkat — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:47:38 GMT

Bt have sent me a returns number so I can send the other router back.

Thanks,

Andy

Re: Replacing a BTHUB6

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:50:33 GMT

@pintokitkat

It has a simple setup wizard, and all you need to enter in, is the login details.

username of bthomehub@btbroadband.com

Password BT

Here is the software emulator, which you can play around with, to see the options available.

https://emulator.tp-link.com/Archer_VR400(EU)_V2/index.htm

Re: Replacing a BTHUB6

pintokitkat — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 20:04:39 GMT

Everyone, thanks again for all your advice.

I ordered the modem router and it arrived today. I set it up and everything went according to the instructions.

Sadly that's where the good times ended.

The connection to the internet drops regularly - I get ten minutes at most before the revolving circles of time advertise the information super highway has turned left at the traffic lights. WiFi is also terrible. I have not had chance to see if it extends further than the Bthub as the passwords are rejected, rejected, rejected, then accepted, then rejected...and the connection to my Oculus Quest2 flits between the 2.4 and 5KHz bands seemingly at random for its own amusement.

Trying to watch you tube for example and I get a minute of video followed by a few seconds black screen and then the video picks up where it left off. This repeats until I get bored.

I'm reasonably intelligent and have played with computers for forty years, but this is driving me crackers. I've put the BT hub back on and things are as they were ie working much better than the tp- link, but I'm still feeling I should be getting better wifi/internet than I am.

Do you think I simply have a faulty tp-link router or am I expecting to much?

Andy