Problems With Hub 4 Modem Mode Using TP-Link M5

[Bazzy]

Hi All,

We have got some TP-Link M5 Mesh Units. I tried my best to follow guides as best possible but despite very best efforts I just cannot get the M5's to connect to the internet with the Hub 4 in Modem Mode?

I spent quite a long time with TP-Link Tech Support & even they were at a loss since their efforts too failed. In the end, we were able to get all the Deco M5's connected with another WiFi Network created in the Deco App but this was only possible after I had to take the Hub 4 out of Modem Mode & back in to Router Mode which I believe is not correct as all seem to say put the Virgin Router into Modem Mode for best performance.

I put it in Modem mode by following Virgin's own video guide by connecting an ethernet cable between my Mac Laptop & The Hub 4. I then logged into my Virgin Account 192.168.01 & selected Modem Mode. After ensuring that Modem Mode was selected, I then attempted to set up the main Deco M5 but the process always failed at the "attempting to establish an internet connection stage. I tried at least 6 times with rebooting the Deco M5 each time as it would get stuck on the red light.

The TP Link tech said to connect the Deco M5 to the first ethernet port of the Hub 4 but even then we encountered the same issue many times. 

So right now, all my Deco M5's are connected & running under a new WiFi Network but the Virgin Router is NOT in Modem Mode & also running as per normal which I believe is not best practice.

As I have all my Deco M5's all set up & running - can I keep them as they are & enable Modem Mode on the Hub 4? I am hoping to avoid the nightmare of them  not connecting to the internet again as have spent two days on this. Even tried swapping Deco units & new cables etc.

Can I simply change my Hub 4 Router Settings to Modem Mode via WiFi or must it be done by ethernet connection between the Hub 4 & my Mac Laptop? How does one know via the Hub 4 lights, when it is in Modem Mode as the light stays white - the same as it does in normal operation?

If not, what is the exact step by step process I should follow in order to get the Deco M5's to connect to the internet when the Hub 4 is put in Modem Mode please?

At what stage (& how) in the process should the Hub 4 be put in Modem Mode please? 

Really grateful for any/all help to resolve!

Many Thanks.

[Tudor]

See below, this has worked many times for me.

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. 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

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

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 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

[carl_pearce]

If you didn't reboot the HUB following the move from your device to TP-Link the HUB will still be 'latched' onto the MAC address of the ethernet adapter in your device!

The HUB can only provide internet access to one device at any one time when in modem mode, however you MUST reboot the HUB when switching which device requires internet access, in this case the TP-Link.

Reboot the HUB (Put back in modem mode!) with only the TP-Link connected and see what happens.

[Bazzy]

Hi Tudor,

Thanks for the reply! I am really not too savvy on these things so please bear with me! 

3) Fully initialise your own router or mesh master unit and make sure the WAN port is set to DHCP - Please can you explain what you mean by initialise my mesh master unit (Deco M5 in my case)? How do I make sure that the WAN Port is set to DHCP? Where do I find the WAN Port & settings section in order to do this?

Note1: this only needs doing once for each new router or VM changes your WAN IP address. - When you say only needs doing once for each new router - do you mean my main master Deco M5 unit? What if my main master Mesh unit & all other Deco M5's are already set up & running? Will I need to set them all up again?

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 - Please can you tell me how I can check if my own router (Deco M5 I presume?) is on 192.168.01? 

Many Thanks!

[Bazzy]

Hi carl_pearce!

Thanks for the reply! I do not think that I did reboot the VM Hub 4 after the Master Deco M5 was set up as the TP-Link Tech Support person talked me through things. After the master Deco M5 was set up (NOT in Modem Mode), I then just added the other 6 x Deco M5's that I had.

Reboot the HUB (Put back in modem mode!) with only the TP-Link connected and see what happens. 

I must admit that this putting the HUB 4 into Modem Mode is where I get confused as I am not sure the exact sequence to follow. 

Is Rebooting The VM Hub4 the same as Resetting it via the Reset Button on the Hub 4 or is Rebooting simply switching it off & then on again?

A) Do I connect my laptop to the VM Hub 4 via Ethernet Cable > Log into Virgin Router > Select Modem Mode > Apply Changes > When Shown That Modem Mode is Selected > Then Switch Off Router & Restart (Rebooting)?

or 

B) Do I Reboot the Hub 4 first & then Log in to Virgin Router & then put in Modem Mode? 

When you say do this with only TP-Link Deco M5 connected, do mean only the main master Deco M5 or all of them that are currently in operation please?

Many Thanks!

[Tudor]

All your questions require you to go into the settings of the M5. As I do not have one it cannot specify the exact actions to take. There is usually either a web page or app to setup equipment. Perhaps other users of the M5 on the board may be able to help.

[carl_pearce]

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@Bazzy wrote:

Hi carl_pearce!

Thanks for the reply! I do not think that I did reboot the VM Hub 4 after the Master Deco M5 was set up as the TP-Link Tech Support person talked me through things. After the master Deco M5 was set up (NOT in Modem Mode), I then just added the other 6 x Deco M5's that I had.

Reboot the HUB (Put back in modem mode!) with only the TP-Link connected and see what happens. 

I must admit that this putting the HUB 4 into Modem Mode is where I get confused as I am not sure the exact sequence to follow. 

Is Rebooting The VM Hub4 the same as Resetting it via the Reset Button on the Hub 4 or is Rebooting simply switching it off & then on again?

A) Do I connect my laptop to the VM Hub 4 via Ethernet Cable > Log into Virgin Router > Select Modem Mode > Apply Changes > When Shown That Modem Mode is Selected > Then Switch Off Router & Restart (Rebooting)?

or 

B) Do I Reboot the Hub 4 first & then Log in to Virgin Router & then put in Modem Mode? 

When you say do this with only TP-Link Deco M5 connected, do mean only the main master Deco M5 or all of them that are currently in operation please?

Many Thanks!

---

Option A THEN unplug the laptop, plug in the TP-Link, then reboot the HUB a second time (literally switch off from the back then switch back on!).

[Adduxi]

I believe there is a gotcha with the Deco units, in that the first one has to be setup with the Hub in Router Mode, using the Deco app.?

Once this is done, the Hub can be set to Modem mode as per above instructions.

[jbrennand]

Yes - Adduxi is correct you need to register the first unit on the TP link web site and then it will lead you into an auto set up process.