Forum Discussion

Marlfox's avatar
Marlfox
Tuning in
3 months ago

Virgin Media Hub 3 + modem mode + TP-Link Archer C6 Router WiFi AC1200Mbps = not working

Like many, I have been using the regular hub 3 and finally got fed up because its wireless signal is just ... abysmal throughout the house. Extenders didn't work well, so I bought this TP-Link Archer C6 Router WiFi AC1200Mbps.

The idea was to retain the VM SSID as I got them now, password as is, so my devices would just connect to the known network - just with stronger coverage throughout the house.

I tried to follow some of the guidance I found online (none of them directly providing step-by-step guidance for my setup). Set up the TP-Link router as per instruction manual (and already didn't know whether to pick Router or Access Point mode there - I tried both). Put the hub 3 in modem mode, switched it off, connected the TP-Link Router to ethernet ports 1, 2, 3, 4 - reset devices - my VM SSID never reappeared.

After a few hours of fuitle effort, I gave up, put the hub 3 back into router mode, and factory reset the TP-Link router, so I'm back at square 1.

Is there anyone here who has the same (or similar) setup and can give me an idiot's guide, step-by-step, how I can get this working? Or know of any platform-groups (Discord, Reddit, etc.) that can help me work this out successfully, please? 

Big please?

Thank you for your time!

Marlfox

  • fuchsiashock's avatar
    fuchsiashock
    Settling in
    2 months ago

    I fixed mine by leaving the VM as a router (with WiFi) and setting the TP into Access Mode.

    Then plugged the TP blue socket into the VM (port 1, if that matters).

    The TP link then uses the VM for internet and you effectively have four WiFi networks (2x2.4, 2x5g).

    If you wanted, you could then turn off the VM ones. As the VM is still acting as the gateway, it's still accessible on 192.168.0.1.

    The TP can be accessed using tplinkwifi.net (if you first disconnect it from the VM, or by using the tp-link tether app.

    On the TP, you can edit the WiFi and rename it the same as the VM ones, but make sure you've turned off the VM ones on the VM hub first.

     

    • fuchsiashock's avatar
      fuchsiashock
      Settling in
      2 months ago

      Edit: "Then plugged the TP blue socket into the VM (port 1, if that matters)."

      SHOULD READ: "Then plugged the TP YELLOW/ethernet (NOT blue/wan) socket into the VM (mines actually in port 4).

    • Adduxi's avatar
      Adduxi
      Very Insightful Person
      2 months ago

      You don't need to switch off the VM Wifi. With the TP-Link in AP mode, you can have both systems using the same SSID and passwords and devices should roam between which ever one is giving the best signal.