This topic

VPN Blocked?

Nick_HF — Thu, 02 May 2024 08:50:41 GMT

I have just moved into a new property where BT is the existing provider. I use my PC extensively for work and use a VPN to access the work network.
The BT Hub is running firmware v0.42.00.10167-BT.
When connected via the hub, I cannot access the VPN at all. Only when I use my phone's hotspot instead can I connect, so the problem is linked to the BT Broadband. Do BT actively block use of VPNs, and is there any way to allow my work VPN to work?

Re: VPN Blocked?

licquorice — Thu, 02 May 2024 11:40:14 GMT

There is no such thing as an existing provider.

Unless you gave created an account with BT, you won't have any service.

Re: VPN Blocked?

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 02 May 2024 11:58:29 GMT

@Nick_HF

You also posted that you were a business user https://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Devices/BT-Guest-Wifi-via-Discs/m-p/2207050

I think you are probably asking on the wrong forum. Either way even if the building you are in now had broadband, it would almost certainly have been ceased, so you would have to raise a new order with BT Business.

https://business.bt.com/help/contact-us-business/

Forum is here https://business.forums.bt.com/

Re: VPN Blocked?

licquorice — Thu, 02 May 2024 12:02:02 GMT

I'm guessing that the OP is referring to 2 different locations with the posts, a residential property and a business property.

Re: VPN Blocked?

Nick_HF — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:12:12 GMT

For clarity.

I am now a residential user, and the account is residential. Totally unrelated to any previous posts I have ever made.

I have moved into a house where another person in the house has an existing BT Fibre Broadband service. (Thus I am not the account holder, but I have use of the Broadband in the house share).

So my query stands using the residential Fibre Broadband in my home, I cannot access my work VPN when connected via the Hub, only when I use my phone as a hotspot, so something related to either the Hub or the BT Fibre service is preventing the connection, so i wondered if anyone else has had similar issues as I didn't find much search back on the forum. Thanks.

Re: VPN Blocked?

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:16:43 GMT

@Nick_HF

Can you access the Internet normally, without the VPN?

Re: VPN Blocked?

Nick_HF — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:19:05 GMT

Yes, everything else works perfectly. Great speeds, can browse internet normally across multiple devices. It is purely the VPN which doesn't connect when using the Hub.

Re: VPN Blocked?

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:27:10 GMT

@Nick_HF

See this thread, as it mentions possible subnet issues towards the end.

https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-setup-Wi-Fi-network/VPN-not-working-from-BT-internet/m-p/2338209#M207002

If the hub is on the same subnet as the office, then its not going to work.

Re: VPN Blocked?

Nick_HF — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:54:55 GMT

I have seen that but it doesn't seem to give me much help. In my instance, the VPN (using the inbuilt windows VPN client) isn't even establishing connection in the first place, it just fails (stating the network connection between your computer and the VPN server could not be established), so there is something preventing it doing so.

Re: VPN Blocked?

licquorice — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:56:18 GMT

Do you have parental controls or web protect enabled?

Re: VPN Blocked?

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:56:54 GMT

Possibly BT Web protect, or BT Parental controls.

You could try using different DNS settings on your computer, as suggested in that thread.

Re: VPN Blocked?

Nick_HF — Thu, 02 May 2024 15:03:07 GMT

I've tried manually setting the DNS to use Google's 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4 and disabled IPV6 too, but no change. I'll ask the account holder to log into the account and check the BT Web Protect or Parental controls.

Re: VPN Blocked?

Crimliar — Thu, 02 May 2024 19:46:04 GMT

Just quickly:
You are connecting directly to the BT HomeHub either via a cable or WiFi, and there is not a secondary router between you and the internet?

Re: VPN Blocked?

Nick_HF — Fri, 03 May 2024 11:07:24 GMT

Yes, in fact I've two windows 11 PCs, one is connected directly to the WiFi from the Hub, and the Laptop I have connected directly by cable to the Hub. The Hub is connected directly to the BT Fibre. Neither will connect to the VPN when using the Hub, both connect to the VPN just fine when using my mobile hotspot.

Re: VPN Blocked?

countrypaul — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:29:16 GMT

Have you tried connecting your laptop directly to the ONT so missing out the BT router - there are instructions for doing that on other threads if you need them? This would establish whether it is something within the router causing the issue or elsewhere.

Re: VPN Blocked?

Graham18 — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:49:42 GMT

Is this a possibility?

Microsoft confesses April Windows update breaks some VPN connections

https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/01/microsoft_windows_vpn_problems/?td=rt-4a

Re: VPN Blocked?

Nick_HF — Fri, 03 May 2024 14:45:24 GMT

I checked and that KB5036893 installed on 22/04/2024, however the problem has been present since I first connected to this broadband about 6 weeks before. I uninstalled the update to try that and no change.

Additionally, the VPN still works perfectly when I use my phone hotspot, so it certainly seems related to either the Hub itself or something within the BT service.

Re: VPN Blocked?

Nick_HF — Fri, 03 May 2024 14:58:26 GMT

Ok yes, I have just setup connecting my laptop directly to the ONT, so bypassing the BT router altogether. I was able to connect and get online, however the VPN still would not connect, so this seems to indicate it's not the hub causing the issue.

Re: VPN Blocked?

licquorice — Fri, 03 May 2024 15:04:41 GMT

You haven't said if you checked if web protect is enabled.

Re: VPN Blocked?

Nick_HF — Fri, 03 May 2024 15:11:15 GMT

Sorry,

I checked. Both Web Protect and Parental Controls are off.