Power Hub Split WiFi problems

[savereo_john]

Hello all

I’ve recently switched to Vodafone from EE (better deal) and am on the Full Fibre 500 plan. I’m having some issues with my power hub and was hoping the panel could help out. Im a semi-retired IT professional and, whilst definitely not a networking expert, I’m comfortable with technical detail.

Activation occurred yesterday and went well. I read the Power Hub manual in advance and successfully used the web interface to reset the UI password, set the WiFi SSID and reset the WiFi password. I also disabled Guest Wi-Fi and enabled Compatibility Mode, as one of my older devices wouldn’t connect without it. I use TP-Link Power Line switches for Ethernet round the house and they are working fine. I checked the Firmware version -   22.1.0404-6421030 – and it’s up to date.

The problem –

I did all this using Basic Mode. Now I need to Split the WiFi bands into 2.4 and 5 ghz bands, for which I need Expert Mode – and that’s where the problem is. When I go to WiFi Settings/General and select Expert Mode nothing happens, the display stays the same. I tried switching back and forth, refreshing the screen, switching back and forth between tabs and eventually after about 10 attempts I got the expert mode settings to appear, but they didn’t work. I could see the Split WiFi toggle, as per the manual, but it didn’t work, clicking on it does nothing and it stays greyed out. The fields below to name the two SSIDs were there, but they don’t work

Since then Ive been unable to get the additional options to display again, even though it says Expert Mode in the drop down.

Ive also tried the phone app, but there is no option to split wi-fi that I can see

Has anyone seen this before or know a fix ?

[thompsi]

Whilst many people, including myself, have slagged off the PowerHub router it is of course the interface that Vodafone have supplied that is the problem. There are options which are permanently “Grayed out” and others which you can change but the “Apply” button does not apply! My desktop measures 150 Mb download at 5Ghz and 60 Mb at 2.4GHz. The wireless adapter in my desktop is a Realtek 8821CE. Normally I would use different SSIDs for the two frequencies and thus ensure I always attach to the 5GHz network. However, this is not possible with Vodafone’s interface tantalisingly showing an option to split SSIDs but leaving it permanently “grayed out”. My desktop’s integrated wireless adapter’s device driver does not allow you to do anything remotely useful in this situation. Whenever I powered on I would sometimes get a 2.4GHz connection and at other times 5 GHz. By disconnecting and reconnecting I would eventually get 5GHz. I spoke to technical support at Vodafone who told me that the router knew better than I did the best frequency to choose and did so and so there was no need to split SSIDs. They then claimed to have remotely made a code change within my router which “would help” after rebooting it! They then said that they would call me back a couple of days later to review the situation. That was two weeks ago and I’m still waiting – and nothing had changed. However, the breakthrough came when I discovered that the Realtek 8832BU adapter has some interesting driver settings readily accessible via the device manager within the control panel. I bought a USB attached wireless adapter from Amazon for circa £18. There is an option within the driver settings to disable the 2.4GHz network for the adapter. I chose this and I always get 5GHz now. I disabled the integrated wireless adapter within my desktop of course. I’ve been running with this adapter for a couple of weeks and so far so good! Having said all that the adapter I bought does sometimes have an issue with the cable to the adapter coming loose and it might be worth spending a bit more – but remember Realtek 8832BU!

[mwilku]

Hi Everyone,

Just spent over 30m with customer service to find out that those options have been disabled as customers have been confused with them so Vodafone decided to block them instead of make interface more user friendly.

Long story short, my Power Hub router, for unknown reason, selecting the same 2.4GHz channel as all my neighbours routers causing drop WiFi connection every 2-15 minutes. I'm unable to change my router's channel as this been blocked by Vodafone latest firmware.

In this case, Vodafone Power Hub is completely useless for me. 

Not great Vodafone...

[Jayach]

If you know what channel you wish to use, Vodafone should be able to set it for you, at least they could with the previous THG3000 router.

However I very much doubt the fact it's using the same channel as other routers will be causing it to drop.

[johndhaive]

I tried to chat with them too regarding this matter the day I got connected with them. They seem to be giving me stories to get rid of me. Told them splitting SSID should be there and it is a need for more advanced customers, explained to them what I have done, but they ignore it. They claim that the router is smart enough to choose which frequency they connect to. I told the guy that I have a preference, but he said it is what it is. 

My PC tends to connect to 2.4 GHz as well, so I changed preference in Device Manager to connect to 5 GHz only and it somehow solved my PC problem. Now, my Xbox downloads at a turtle speed of 30 MBPS and checking on the hub UI, the XBOX is connected to 5 GHz and it is only across the living room about 4-5 metres away. I don't know if it is an XBOX problem.. So I instead bought a 7m ethernet cable to use with my XBOX, download went up to 200-250 MBPS. 

I really think it needs a firmware update. But if they will not do something about this, I will probably just buy a cheap router that has the features I want. 

[Ripshod]

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@johndhaive wrote:

I really think it needs a firmware update. But if they will not do something about this, I will probably just buy a cheap router that has the features I want. 

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Be careful. The last firmware update just dumbed it down worse than it was.

The only way to get your own way with this service, and the best of this service, is to indeed use your own router. Some will disagree, but if one wants proper access to useful settings and real power the vodafone routers just don't cut the mustard.

[Keeboudi]

Is there a router one can get that preserves the landline (Voip) connectivity?

[johndhaive]

Hi everyone,

I just discovered it this morning. What we do at home is we turn off / unplug both devices, hub and ONT, every night. This morning, my daughter turned them on / plugged them back in, there was white light on the hub but no WIFI. I restarted the hub again, same thing, no WIFI, I connected via LAN and there is internet. Checked the hub UI and saw that the WIFI Network under WI-FI/ General has been turned off. 

How did it turn off? Is there another way to turn on/ off without accessing the UI? Or is it really a firmware issue same as Splitting SSID feature problem that won't take the changed settings when hitting Apply button.  

I don't know but I really think this router has lots of issues! Can we demand for them to provide us another router that suits our needs? 

By the way, today is just the second day after getting connected with Vodafone and getting too many issues already.

[ashyt16]

I wouldn't keep turning off the ONT or in fact the router.

The equipment at the exchange may think you have an issue and start messing with your connection.

[Ripshod]

FTTP doesn't operate in that manner. There may be a flag go up with openreach/Cityfibre but they won't change anything without checking the full length of the fibre first, including a visit to the home. Fibre doesn't go intermittent, it either works or it doesn't. 

You're possibly thinking of FTTC (VDSL) (?). 

[Ripshod]

If I remeber right there's a button on the router that turns wifi on/off. Likely you or your daughter accidentally pressed it.