Hub 3 Unable to access after placing in Modem Mode

[mermaids]

Hub 3 placed in Modem mode using my Mac in order to connect a third party mesh system (TP-Link Deco S4). Hub 3 WiFi disabled and I am still able to access the internet via the Hub 3 LAN port with my Mac as expected albeit the Hub 3 did take an age to settle after rebooting into Modem mode with a Red LED - checked here in the community and this is not a fault but a quirk of the LED colourings and should be Magenta.

Given that I was then unable to successfully connect to the internet with my iPhone via the WiFi of the main Deco unit (this was connected to a LAN port on the the Hub 3 via ethernet cabling), I needed to access and check the Hub 3 settings against those of the Deco unit.

I am unable to access the Hub 3 despite using the Modem address 192.168.100.1. As I couldn't access the Hub 3 I cycled power to the Hub 3 in the hope that a re-boot may of enabled a successful connection of the third party mesh system. The re-boot resulted in the Hub 3 simply cycling though a loop for a period of +27 minutes and would not settle into Modem mode. I removed the power for a period of one minute and after powering up the Hub 3 again took an age to settle into Modem mode.

Again I am unsuccessful in connecting my third party mesh system despite checks and changes to  some settings on the Deco side.

Next step was to re-set the Hub 3, once reset back into Router mode I accessed the Hub 3 to place it back into Modem mode. Again a repeat of the above.

To summarise I think I have an issue with the Hub 3 and / or possible VM constraints on the Hub.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Client62]

VM notes on Modem mode for a Hub 3.

https://www.virginmedia.com/content/virginmedia/dotcom/en/myvmapp/help/help_l3_t4_s8_a1.html

[legacy1]

Test with just your Mac with hub in modem mode power off for 2mins turn on and unplug replug Ethernet till you get internet.

You can then try again power 2mins but don't have devices connected to the Deco with the Deco to the hub wait 5mins unplug replug Ethernet and then connect devices to Deco and check you have a WAN IP. If no internet change the WAN MAC on the Deco try again.

[Tudor]

How to put a VM hub into modem mode:

1) Access your hub on 192.168.0.1, sign on and put it into modem mode. On the Hub3 the bottom LED will change to magenta, on a Hub4 the LED band will be green, on a Hub5 the LED will be green. Best done from a wired connection.

2) Turn off the hub and disconnect any Ethernet cables

3) Fully initialise your own router or mesh master unit and make sure the WAN port is set to DHCP (for some routers or mesh this may have to be done in router mode before entering modem mode)

4) Connect your router or mesh master unit to the VM hub with an Ethernet cable, Cat5e or Cat6, any higher specification is a waste of money. On a Hub5 use port 4.

5) Turn on the VM hub.

6) You should now be able to access the internet and the hub will now be on 192.168.100.1

Note1: this only needs doing once for each new router or when VM changes your WAN IP address.

Note2: If you have a Hub4 and your own router is NOT 192.168.0.1 then it’s possible that you can still access the VM hub on 192.168.0.1

[mermaids]

People - thanks for taking the time to reply. After my post I returned the Hub 3 to router mode and deliberately walked away from the issue for 24 hours or so. Sunday when my team went 3-0 down I decided to re-investigate the issue and by chance stumbled on varying similar lines of action to those mentioned here. I would like to point out that the root cause of my issue was my Hub 3 indicating it was in Modem mode when it wasn't - powering down and up on more than once occasion by fluke actually placed the Hub into Modem Mode (LAN port 1 only providing internet access, Red / Magenta LED ON, access to the config menu via address 198.168.100.1)

My fix was this -

Step 1 - Hub 3 in router mode all LAN ports able to access the internet (Mac connected to LAN port 1). No cycling of power of the Hub

Step 2 - I disconnected the Mac from the Hub and and connected LAN port 1 of the main Deco S4 unit into LAN port 1 of the Hub 3 LAN and powered up the main Deco

Step 3 - Connected the Mac into the LAN port 2 of the main Deco

Step 4 - Used the Deco app on my iPhone to register the main Deco - Default configuration on the app for the Deco S4 used. Mac able to surf the internet.

Step 5 - Connected the Mac back into LAN port 2 on the Hub and placed it into Modem mode - no other changes made to the Hub 3 configuration.

Step 6 - Disconnected the Mac from the Hub and re-connected back into LAN port 2 of the Deco

Step 7 - Allowed the Hub to change into Modem mode. On receiving a steady Red/Magenta LED I cycled power and waited until once again I received a steady Red/Magenta LED.

Step 8 - Main Deco and the Mac connected to it will not connect to the internet.

Step 9 - Cycled the power to the Hub 3 once again and waited for a steady Red / Magenta LED - STILL Main Deco and the Mac connected to it will not connect to the internet.

Step 10 - Cycled power to the main Deco -STILL Main Deco and the Mac connected to it will not connect to the internet.

Step 10 - Getting annoyed and by chance repeated step 9 and this time - Mac connected to the internet.

It's possible I may not of cycled power to the Hub and/or the main Deco in the correct sequence but I'm now good thanks and have no problem with anyone pointing to the error of my ways. Satellite Deco units connected in minutes and WiFi dead spots eliminated.

[Adduxi]

Glad you got it sorted.  Modem mode can be problematic as the Hub/CMTS remembers the last devices MAC address that was  connected and takes a while to forget it.  So when you were swapping between your MAC and Deco, the system got confused and it took the several reboots to sort it all out.

It  should remain stable between reboots in future as long as the Deco is not swapped out for something else, and then it's back to square one  🙂

[mermaids]

People help and advice required once again with the Hub3 modem mode. After the successful resolution to my initial problem on or around  3/3/23 the Hub modem mode behaved itself and the 3rd party router TP-Link Deco S4 providing improved WiFi speed and reception to all house areas, speed typically 130Mbps recorded on the 4K Firestick speed test. Broadband speed into the property 183Mbps.

In June reduced WiFi speeds were noted via the Firestick 10-18Mbps! Internet speed to the property was not the issue this was as expected around 183Mbps download. The issue is with the Hub 3 in that although when logged into the hub it says it is in modem mode. All 4 hub ethernet ports now provide internet access and hub WiFi is off - a "hybrid" mode.

No configuration changes to the TP-Link Deco S4 and no additional WiFi devices. No changes to the Hub 3. No property power interruptions and no loss of broadband service.

When the hub is in modem mode and working correctly just port 1 provides the internet access (the TP-Link Deco S4 connects to this port) and ports 2,3 and 4 are disabled along with the hubs WiFi.

To remedy the situation I am having to cycle power 2 or 3 times to get the hub to behave correctly and everything back to normal. Unfortunately this issue is occurring more frequently and on each occasion I am having to repeatedly cycle power to the Hub3. The last occasion was Saturday 15th July and the hub behaved for less that 24 hours so I left the hub as it was and called VM support on Monday morning - oh how I wished I hadn't. The support was based in India so lots of me asking for things to be repeated log support red 08000147398 - first chap did various things his end to then tell me my hub is in modem mode! Next I'm asked to unplug the third party router from the hub, he then does other things at his end and asks me to connect my iMac to port 1 on the hub and see if I can access the internet which I am unable to. Whilst he's doing further things at his end he tells me if I upgrade my package I can get a new hub. Next we check DHCP via the iMac system preferences/network/advanced followed by the Network Utility program to undertake a ping check. Address provided "No Route to Host". The issue is outside his scope and I'm transferred to the Gadget Rescue Team and I have to repeat my issue and what his previous colleague has done. Talk about a cost to have an engineer visit the premises etc - as this department cannot solve the issue I'm to be passed to Technical Support ??

I'm listening to music for an age before "Welcome to Virgin Media" and I'm back where I started but persist in the hope the system recognises me! No it doesn't and once again I'm through to the original department once more and treated as a new issue. I clarify my previous call and are transferred to the Gadget Rescue Team for a second time. I repeat my issue and situation and quote my Support Call Ref 08000147398. The reference is validated and I am passed on to the Technical Support team once more where I enjoy more music before "Welcome to Virgin Media" - words fail me, I was on the phone for 1hr 53 minutes and achieved no resolution to the issue and ended up with no internet and with potential cost for a possible engineering visit!!!

As I no have no internet connection I power off the hub and go and make a coffee. Approximately 15 minutes later I cycle power to the hub and yes you've guessed the hub is behaving normally in modem mode and everything is good once more - for how long I cannot say.

Bottom line is 1) The hub3 in modem mode is unstable and unpredictable 2) Please don't not call VM support