Blink Camera Set-up issues with power hub

[Markthompson973]

So I've just moved to Vodafone and they've provided me with a power hub, this doesn't seem to work with Amazon Blink Camera and lots of the router settings seem to be greyed out, been on chat with an expert who says it a blink issue? Can anyone help?

[CrimsonLiar]

So, unless it's changed the VF Router WEB-UI is a bit messy!  To get some of those options that you see grayed out you might want to look for an option in the top-right the router web page, and change the user-level to expert (or something similar)!
That still might not help you with the camera though.  The problem here is that during set up it's often necessary to have the camera and device you are using to set it up, not just on the same network, but on the same band.  Even on routers where you cant split the SSIDs (WiFi names) there are things you can do, though it's not as straightforward as it should be.  My current favourite method is to set up a portable WiFi hotspot on a phone that mimics the router settings but just using 2.4GHz WiFi, turn the router off and then perform the setup using the hotspot.  Once setup simply turn the router back on and the hotspot off.  *Unless the camera is a grey import and won't use channels 12 & 13 that should work.
*This technique can also help if you need to make minor adjustments to your home network without causing tantrums!

[Markthompson973]

Hi expert modes shows more screens but the important setting are still greyed out. How would mimic the router with a phone WiFi hotspot please?

[Cynric]

@Markthompson973  This old thread may provide another solution, if a bit odd.

https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Other-broadband-queries/Amazon-Blink-Camera-Not-Working-With-Vodafon...

[Markthompson973]

Hi thanks for the info, had a read through but won't work in this situation. Thanks again for trying though. 👍

[CrimsonLiar]

The first thing you need to do is copy the WiFi SSID and WiFi password that the router uses.  Then on a mobile phone (Android though Apple should be similar) you'll need to open the settings and look/search for "Portable Hotspot" and in the submenu "Set up portable hotspot".  Then use the SSID as the "Network name" and the Wifi password that you noted down earlier.  Crucially you'll want to set "Select AP band" to 2.4GHz.
Now you should test the settings, by turning off the router and enabling the portable hotspot on your mobile - if it's set up correctly you should see your WiFi clients that would normally connect to the router now connecting to your mobile.  If everything is working you should be able to set up your Blink camera either using the mobile running the portable hotspot or any other suitable device that that can connect to the hotspot on your mobile.  When it's all done don't forget to turn off the hotspot and turn the router back on!

[Markthompson973]

Thanks for the detailed info. Replicated what you described no issue with other devices (fire stick) but the Blink cameras still get the red light of doom. Yet connects to old talk talk router no problem every time. Could you suggest anything else please?

[Cynric]

@Markthompson973 In the old router turn off DNS and DHCP. Change the mode to Access Point. Plug an ethernet lead from the old router WAN/LAN port into a LAN port on the VF router. On the old one turn on the WiFi leaving the settings how they used to be. The devices should connect, but you will be doing something called "double NAT" which may (or not) be an issue.