Forum Discussion

Bobbykins's avatar
Bobbykins
Tuning in
2 years ago
Solved

Tapo devices not connecting to Virgin router

Hi,

I have read a few posts from people asking similar questions but none seem to have a solution, and none seems not match my experience.

I have a couple of Tapo bulbs, two sockets and a camera. Until about 10 days ago they were all successfully working, having been set up about 12 months ago, or more.

Then about 10 days ago, I could no longer contact any of the devices using the Tapo app.

I made no changes to the environment between a working/not working configuration.

I have since tried deleting a couple of devices and reconnecting. Each refused to connect to the router. Each type of device has a slightly different procedure for reset and connection so I have paid particular attention to each step.

I have since tried using the devices I deleted from my Virgin router by connecting to a friends Sky router. All connected successfully. So the devices are not a problem. Nor is my Tapo account or the phone hosting the app.

  • Yes, I have to disable 'Mobile data' on my phone 
  • Yes, I have tried a different device (tablet) to perform the setup.
  • Yes, I have read the f manual. 
  • Yes I have tried rebooting the router
  • Yes, I am using the correct password 
  • Yes, I have been through the setup process a number of times.
  • Yes, the router seems to behave normally in all other respects.

Yes, I have to admit I have Hub 2. I saw no reason to change (if ain't bust...). Indeed another correspondent on this forum went down the upgrade route but it didn't solve their problem.

One suggestion in the Tapo documentation is "are the devices on a blocked list". My examination of the router says no. As stated I haven't made any changes.

I'm thinking that maybe the Virgin router has been

  • remotely updated without my knowledge (does this happen?),
  • is work being carried out to deliberately degrade 'obsolete' routers?
  • hacked in a way I cannot detect?
  • router has developed a very specific fault

Anyone had similar problem and found a solution?

TIA

  • Using a free Wi-Fi analyser app check if the Hub 2 still broadcasting the expected SSIDs on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz  Wi-Fi bands.

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta

    Using a free Wi-Fi analyser app check if the Hub 2 still broadcasting the expected SSIDs on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz  Wi-Fi bands.

    • Bobbykins's avatar
      Bobbykins
      Tuning in

      Sorry, somehow managed to flag this as accepted solution (just wanted to add kudos). Not solved yet 🤔

      • Kain_W's avatar
        Kain_W
        Forum Team (Retired)

        Hi Bobbykins,

        Thanks for your post and welcome back to the community.

        Sincere apologies for any issues faced with this particular device, can I ask through the Hub settings page, is the device showing through there at all?

        Also is there an error message popping up at all?

        Let us know,


  • Bobbykins 

    I'm thinking that maybe the Virgin router has been

    • remotely updated without my knowledge (does this happen?),
      Yes it absolutely does happen, the hub is not yours it’s their’s, you rent it, and VM reserve the right to do whatever that want with it, whenever they want. Now obviously they aren’t going to be deliberately annoying customers so these updates tend to happen in the early hours. Also the Hub 2 is well out of support so I’d be astonished if they were even bothering to deploy any updates for it.
    • is work being carried out to deliberately degrade 'obsolete' routers?
    • No, why would they? From a commercial perspective, they are more than happy for people to continue to use obsolete equipment otherwise it costs them to replace it! They don’t want to support it, so if you have an issue, it’ll be replaced, but they have not reason to want to accelerate this - it cost money!

    • hacked in a way I cannot detect?
    • Maybe, but probably not, or it is the world’s least useful hack!

    • router has developed a very specific fault
    • Ah yes now this is more likely, as mentioned below, it is quite possible that the hub is no longer broadcasting on the 2.4 GHz bands which a lot of IoT stuff uses. As I said the hub is old, so this certainly cannot be ruled out. As Client62 says, you need to check this with a WiFi analyser application.

    Anyone had similar problem and found a solution?

    TIA


     

    • Bobbykins's avatar
      Bobbykins
      Tuning in

      Thank you for quick and detailed response. Haven't been in position to try anything until today.

      I'm aware these things use 2.4 Ghz and saw that service being available for connection so assumed it was ok.. But I have since tried a net analyser and can see the -2G SSID. And have made doubly sure the phone is on that network at the appropriate time.

      Furthermore I have since added an ESP WROOM 32 device which can successfully connect to the same LAN (and internet) and I believe also uses the 2.4 Ghz band.  Very puzzled.

      Thanks

  • I’m having the same problem now. I was with Vodafone and had all my devices connected without any problem. I recently moved to Virgin and my TP link light strip won’t connect. The links to the Virgin help pages kindly shared here state that ‘Older Hubs can struggle with a large number of devices’ - does this mean I can no longer use my devices for the duration of my contract with Virgin? Surely this can’t be right? If so shouldn’t prospective customers be warned of this before they sign up? 

    • Gareth_L's avatar
      Gareth_L
      Forum Team

      Hello Laura8719.

      Thanks for your first post and welcome to our community.

      Sorry to hear your having an issue connecting your TP link light strip to the Hubs WIFI.

      Would you be okay if we sent you a private message to take a look at this in a bit more depth.

      If you can check the envelope top right of your screen that would be great. 
      Regards     
      Gareth_L