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Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

tjb1508 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 19:50:03 GMT

I'm having trouble setting up my new modem/router that I have just bought to replace my 3rd BT Smart Hub. After receiving it today and expecting an easy set up like everybody else I'm having issues connecting to the Internet 🙄

I've followed the set up instructions for both BT VDSL as my old hub listed the connection as being, and ADSL just in case but still no luck.

I've used the standard "bthomehub@btbroadband.com" and "bt" username and password as well, I've tried more times than I can count now after factory resetting multiple times.

Can someone please help, I definitely don't have superfast fibre as we don't even have proper fibre here yet 🥴

Thanks for your help

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

Keith_Beddoe — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 20:07:24 GMT

@tjb1508

It should be very easy.

Have you plugged the grey DSL lead that came with the router, into your microfilter, or the filtered socket, if you have that type?

Do you have a VDSL or an ADSL connection?

Does the DSL light come on?

What does the status page show?

Can you confirm that its this model you have?

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

tjb1508 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 20:22:31 GMT

Hi Keith, thanks for your reply,

I have plugged in both the new DSL Lead into the master socket and also tried the old one just in case.

According to the old homehub advanced page, I have a VDSL connection, and I'm pretty sure that the light is on, however its either the flashing light or the red one, I'd assume the red one 😕

Yes that's the model that I have, I'm really hoping that this is an easy fix or that I've just missed something somewhere

Thanks again

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

Keith_Beddoe — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 20:39:31 GMT

It must be something really basic that you have missed, as its very easy to setup if you follow the setup wizard.

Perhaps someone with that model can assist?

What speed Internet connection do you have?

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

tjb1508 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 20:43:05 GMT

Thats what I'm hoping, but I've been through nearly everything. I've seen other people have issues but its usually cause by them having superfast broadband or choosing the wrong setup mode.

As for speed, I usually only get around 12mbps, but can go up to around 20 when I'm lucky.

This is pretty much my last resort as I've been searching for about 3 hours now for a possible fix and the house is currently without Internet so I have an unhappy family 🤣

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

Keith_Beddoe — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 20:51:33 GMT

Does the home hub still work?

If so, put that back until you can figure out what you were doing wrong.

The status screen should show something similar to the one on this post, by someone using the same router.

https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-setup-Wi-Fi-network/Modem-replacement-for-FTTC-or-put-homehub-5-into-modem-mode/m-p/2135028#M185305

But your speed would be slower.

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

tjb1508 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:01:09 GMT

The old hub still works, it just disconnects after around 30 minutes, the other 2 I've had also did the same thing hence why I got a new one.

The status screen shows that the DSL connection is initializing constantly until it gives up and fails, I'm guessing that I'm on the correct setup mode, as ADSL for example will just fail instantly. Apologises, I forgot to include the status screen info in my last post

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

Keith_Beddoe — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:04:07 GMT

@tjb1508 wrote:

The old hub still works, it just disconnects after around 30 minutes, the other 2 I've had also did the same thing hence why I got a new one.

Then you have a problem with your phone line, if the home hub disconnects.

Is there any noise on your phone calls? Dial 17070 and select option 2, there should be no noise between the announcements.

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

tjb1508 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:13:00 GMT

Thats what I thought, but BT report no issues with the line and there is no noise when using that service, its pretty much crystal clear. I checked last night for a line issue using BT's line checker tool and it came back clear, and I also checked for noise last night and just now but still nothing 😕

Mabye I'll try again tomorrow after work and hope that it works this time

Thanks for your help tonight,

Tobi

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

Keith_Beddoe — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:17:58 GMT

Possibly a bad connection somewhere, as more than one home hub would not fail.

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

tjb1508 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 08:51:08 GMT

Just an update, getting in touch with BT today to get them to do a thorough check of the line and ask them why they think the router may not be working. Fingers crossed they can help 😁

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 08:55:47 GMT

@tjb1508 wrote:

Just an update, getting in touch with BT today to get them to do a thorough check of the line and ask them why they think the router may not be working. Fingers crossed they can help 😁

Its quite possible that the problem is something with the way you have your broadband connected, so that would be the first thing to check, especially as the home hubs drop out.

What does your master phone socket look like?

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

tjb1508 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 12:03:12 GMT

The socket I have is 7, again it was something else the engineer installed last time he came to try and fix the issue, everything was fine up until about a month or two ago

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 12:10:25 GMT

@tjb1508 wrote:

The socket I have is 7, again it was something else the engineer installed last time he came to try and fix the issue, everything was fine up until about a month or two ago

Those sockets suffer from bad connections, its a known issue.

You need to connect things up as shown below, and see if you still get the disconnections. You may find that the TP link will work there.

NTE 5C Test socket check

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

tjb1508 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 12:11:14 GMT

Okay thanks, thats handy to know, I'll give it a go as soon as I'm home from work and update the thread.

Thanks again 😁

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 12:14:32 GMT

@tjb1508 wrote:

Okay thanks, thats handy to know, I'll give it a go as soon as I'm home from work and update the thread.

Thanks again 😁

Its to do with the poor alignment, and the fact that the clips are not good enough.

I will try to find where it was mentioned.

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 12:26:01 GMT

It was here https://community.bt.com/t5/Landline/2019-Master-Socket-kit-loose/m-p/1985566#M67755

A bad contact will distort the digital signal, preventing a reliable connection.

Connecting to the test socket will at least eliminate that possibility.

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

tjb1508 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:36:11 GMT

Update:

After trying the test socket with another filter, I still wasn't able to set up the new router/modem so i reconnected the old hub. Everything looked good until about an hour ago when it decided to start disconnecting again every 10 minutes or so.

When I rang BT earlier they said there was nothing wrong with the line but they noticed the 62 disconnects yesterday. Told me that they can send an engineer out at some point but to wait until Friday to see what happens 😕 They also said that if they find nothing it'll be my fault and that I'll have to pay around £85ish which doesn't surprise me.

Any more suggestions? I'm completely out of ideas

Thanks for your help so far regardless 😁

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:43:15 GMT

There is not normally a charge for a fault not found. The charge only applies if they find something wrong with your internal wiring, or the way you have things connected up.

I assume you only have the single phone socket?

As this appears to be a repeat fault, with no resolution, I will ask a moderator to comment.

Re: Issues setting up a TP Link Archer VR600 as Modem/Router

tjb1508 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:52:43 GMT

Oh I see, thanks for the clarification.

Yes we only have the master socket, no others.

Brilliant thank you 😁