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Tplink VR2100 as Router with Home Hub 2 - problems with internet connection - password??

trevowmike — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 23:43:11 GMT

I've searched the forum for this and found a link that does describe most of my problem but doesnt seem to solve it. Hopefully someone can help.

I have a newly installed Home Hub 2 as the switchover to digital voice has meant I have to. So my TP-;link Archer VR2100 which was being the modem and router is now to be demoted to router only. It connects to a mesh network so I'm keen to keep this all working.

I've followed the tp-link instructions and that on the board here to switch the operation mode over and that is all fine and the connection from the tp-link router to the bt modem is fine. It's ust the internet connection that doesn't work.

I have the operation mode to router only, i have the wan cable into the wan/port4 and the wan on the back of the home hub.

On the 'Internet Connection' tab on the tp-link app I have the connection type set to PPPoE and username as bthomehub@btbroadband.com and the password set to BT. I have tried this but no connection. I have also tried to check the VLAN box and add value of 101 also to no avail.

When I login to my bt account it looks like this password should be six characters ****** is what I can see. Is this the missing link? the password?

Any help gratefully received. Mike

Re: Tplink VR2100 as Router with Home Hub 2 - problems with internet connection - password??

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:00:24 GMT

You ideally want the Archer in access point mode, not a second router. In this configuration all authentication & DHCP is taken care of by the SH2.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/support/faq/2655/

As for the mesh, no idea as you've given no details of what it is or how it's connected.

Re: Tplink VR2100 as Router with Home Hub 2 - problems with internet connection - password??

licquorice — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 07:12:34 GMT

If you do want to use the TP Link in router mode, you need to connect the TP Link WAN port to a hub LAN port for a start.

The TP Link needs to be in a different subnet to the hub, set it's WAN port to a fixed IP outside of the DHCP range of the hub and gateway to 192.168.254. The PPPoE credentials are taken care of by the hub.

Re: Tplink VR2100 as Router with Home Hub 2 - problems with internet connection - password??

trevowmike — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 07:16:10 GMT

thanks @licquorice

I definitely have it plugged into the wan port

When you say the range of the hub and gateway do you mean the range of the Home Hub 2? SO go check those settings and set it outside of that range on the tp-link?

Re: Tplink VR2100 as Router with Home Hub 2 - problems with internet connection - password??

licquorice — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 07:23:00 GMT

But make sure it is a LAN port on the hub.

The hub IP range outside of the DHCP server is 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.63 so you can use any of those addresses for the TP Link WAN port

However, if your TP link also uses the 192.168.1.xxx subnet, you will either have to change it to something else or alternatively change the IP range of the hub. If you do that you will need to set the TP Link WAN port to suit.

Re: Tplink VR2100 as Router with Home Hub 2 - problems with internet connection - password??

trevowmike — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 07:41:06 GMT

Thanks @licquorice

I did have it on the wan port on. the hh2 so changed that.

I'm still a bit confused about what or more specifically where I am needing to make changes.

I have the Router (Archer VR2100) in 'Router' operation mode.

This is my LAN settings in the advanced tab so is this where I change the subnet - where it says 'subnet mask'?

and... do I disable DHCP? as @Anonymous suggested for access mode or am I leaving that enabled?

I'm also confused as to which setting (in router mode) to leave the 'Internet Connection' set to. If the hh2 is dealing with it which setting below do I select 'Dynamic IP'? or do I put it to PPPoE and put in my credentials? I'm guessing dynamic IP as pictured ?

Thanks for your help!

Re: Tplink VR2100 as Router with Home Hub 2 - problems with internet connection - password??

licquorice — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 08:53:42 GMT

Ok, your TP Link is using the same subnet as the hub so either you need to change the TP Link range to, say, 192.168.2.xxx or change the hub range.

The TP Link WAN connection type needs to be Static IP and then give it the address of 192.168.1.xxx (if you change the TP Link range) or 192.168.2.xxx if you change the hub range with a gateway of 192.168.1.254 (if you leave the hub as default) or 192.168.2.254 if you change the range on the hub.

Re: Tplink VR2100 as Router with Home Hub 2 - problems with internet connection - password??

trevowmike — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 11:28:17 GMT

Thanks @licquorice

Got it working and then re-setup the mesh so all happy. Appreciate your advice and time.

Re: Tplink VR2100 as Router with Home Hub 2 - problems with internet connection - password??

licquorice — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 11:29:37 GMT

Glad you got it working, thanks for the update.