Hub 3 Modem mode started blocking certain IPs

[thedarkerpath]

Hi all,

I have a Hub 3 and I've run it in Modem mode for years so I can use Google Wifi as my router/mesh. I'm on M500 and my service has been very stable the whole time I've used it. Yesterday (1 June 2024) I started having connectivity issues from all the devices on my LAN. Specifically, certain external sites couldn't be reached (including but not limited to) Epic Games, Ubisoft and even the website of my own company. The connections timed out rather than being actively blocked with an Essential Safety notification page. Not just web traffic was timing out, ssh connections to my webserver were also dropped. These sites were reachable via mobile data and from other friends' networks (including someone also on VM) so the issue was specific to my network. DNS resolution was working properly but even ssh directly to my server's IP timed out. Puzzlingly, most other sites continued to work normally though sometimes a bit slowly.

No line issues or works were showing when I ran VM's test so I followed the advice to reset my Hub 3. I did this and noticed that when my laptop was wired to the freshly reset Hub 3 (in Router mode) I could once again connect to the previously blocked sites. I set the Hub 3 back to Modem mode following the correct procedure (removing the ethernet cable, waiting for the Hub to finish going to Modem mode before reconnecting my Google Wifi Router). I was dismayed to find the exact same connectivity issues even after the Hub reset. I repeated the Hub reset and also factory reset my Google Wifi router before going through the same procedure to get the Hub back into Modem mode. Same issue recurred as soon as the Hub was in Modem mode.

Don't know what changed with the Hub 3 or on VM's network to cause this issue after years of Modem mode working flawlessly with the exact same Router and network kit. My current workaround is to run the Hub 3 in Router mode with the Wifi turned off. This works but is obviously not ideal given that I'm running Double NAT. I'm considering trying an upgrade to a Hub 5 to see if Modem mode works correctly on it but that seems like grasping at straws.

Any suggestions for further troubleshooting I could try? Anyone had similar issues running Hub 3 in Modem mode?

[ALF28]

I have had similar issues with the hub 3, It might be an issue with the IP address or connectivity issue with your own router. Also sometimes using a VPN can cause issues.

If you have an option on your own router to run as an access point, with the hub in router mode this will change the IP address and therefore may solve the issue.

After a few weeks try switching back to modem mode and your own router switched back as a router and a new IP address would be generated, it may need a hub pin reset prior to the change, mine did.

VM have been re-organising the network and IP geo-locations can be varied and may have caused the issue, or your current IP address in modem mode may be blacklisted., worth a check.

It could also be connectivity issues so check if your own router  wi-fi signal is strong or try an ethernet cable connection and do a broadband speed check. While in VM hub 3 router mode, do the VM hub check from the VM service status page.

I went through this and am now back in modem mode and it is working now with good connection.

[Sephiroth]

You said:

" I set the Hub 3 back to Modem mode following the correct procedure (removing the ethernet cable, waiting for the Hub to finish going to Modem mode before reconnecting my Google Wifi Router)."

The correct procedure is to have the hub (already in modem mode) & router off.  Then connect them and turn the router on.  When the router has settled, turn the hub on and it will find the router in a state of grace and provide an IP address for things to work.

Let us know how it then works out.

[Client62 · Accepted solution]

Any chance you are based in / near Belfast where there were similar VM network issues reported yesterday ?

[legacy1]

All things being equal😲 this could of happened in router mode due to a IP change

use modem mode and connect a PC to the hub and see if a new IP works

[thedarkerpath]

Yes, I am in Belfast! What was the nature of the issue and is it resolved? Didn't see any chat about Belfast VM issues online. When I ran the VM service checker it gave me the unhelpful message along the lines of "Can't currently check the status of your internet connection"

[thedarkerpath]

Thanks for this. I'll wait a few weeks and try again using the procedure you outlined.

[thedarkerpath]

Thanks for this info. I'll wait a few weeks and try again.

[Client62]

A very recent Belfast thread :

https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Networking-and-WiFi/Network-Routing-problem/td-p/5529071

[thedarkerpath]

People on the threads you linked mentioned that connectivity was restored in Belfast yesterday so I put the Hub back into modem mode. Everything is working again - thanks so much for your help! In future I'll know to check these forums if I run into issues rather than just using VM's own connection checker.