WiFi connection keeps dropping

[GSte]

Contacted Sky tech support over the phone who have sent out a replacement 4.2 router and the problem persists sadly. The chap I spoke to advised that the wifi Max router may be needed to solve this issue, but that this would cost an extra £4/month. A bit reluctant to have to pay extra for hardware to make a (fairly expensive gigafast) service work properly.

Does anyone know how hard it would be to set up and use a third party router instead, e.g. TP-Link Archer AX18?

[JimM1]

@GSte Third party can be as simple as connect and go, do you require to have a landline phone connected to the sky Hub? That is always the relevant question!

[GSte]

No landline needed, no.... I've read that third party routers need to be compatible with Sky's 'option 61' authentication method but it seems like most modern routers should be okay so perhaps I'll try one of the TP-Links and see how it goes...

[JimM1]

@GSte NO forget about option 61 dont go there, you are connecting on a full fibre connection! Let's clear this up, do you plug the sky hub into an OR Phone Master socket or direct into a Full Fibre ONT modem connection? Link is about ONT and what they look like!

Optical Network Terminal | Sky Help | Sky.com | Sky Help | Sky.com

[GSte]

Thanks Jim - it's a Nokia ONT, the first one in the list with the curved groove in the pastic face ('Power - LOS - PON -LAN')

[JimM1]

@GSte Ok that Tp-Link you quoted is wan capable just was not that 100% sure if you had the ONT or not, Tp's can be that little bit temperamental getting on so it's a try and see and following any guide, BUT do forget about the option 61 until all else is tried, fibre connection is way different now and you may not even need it! I dont for sure but an Asus user straight connection and NO need for MER in any way!

[GSte]

Very helpful - many thanks. I could get an ASUS RT-AX52 (AX1800) for £10 more if you think it's a better chance of working without too much jiggery pokery?

[JimM1]

@GSte That's like asking a ferrari driver does he like the Jag, with Asus there is never ever anything extra required that's why they cost more. Choice is all yours not going to influence either way! Download each others manuals and see what is best for you!

ASUS RT-AX52 (AX1800) Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router | WiFi Routers | ASUS UK

Download for Archer AX18 | TP-Link United Kingdom

[2muchTV]

@GSte if push comes to shove you can always turn the Wi-Fi off the Sky Hub and use either of the routers in access point mode.

My XT9s can work direct from the ONT but I have a Zyxel connected to the ONT and it  assigns the IP addresses to all devices. 

Fortunately I can hide the Zyxel at the bottom of a shoe cabinet in the hallway, with the first XT9 on top. 

 

[JimM1]

@2muchTV With you but i would honestly never push an excellent Asus router to be hindered so much in AP mode!

[2muchTV]

---

@JimM1 wrote:

@2muchTV With you but i would honestly never push an excellent Asus router to be hindered so much in AP mode!

---

Fair point... Guilty as charged 😊

I do like that the XT9s are not having to work hard and network has been ultra reliable 

 

[JimM1]

@2muchTV Had my XT8's even though they have been behind the EE and the SR but always routed with them, never found anything double NAT that upset apart from printing, just a hassle, so printer off the primary hub and dropped back to that to do as needed. XT8 now hanging off the ONT direct, and SR will come out it's box if ever needed, but hell will freeze over before that is required.

Nearly threw the SR on the other day with all these issues going on connections, did it FW updated to the latest and pulled it back off. Just could not take the thought off an issue if it occured and the ear bashing verbal from the good lady!

Cannot beat the Asus up steady and just never misses a beat!

[GSte]

Huge thanks Jim, the links were super helpful. 👍 I've ordered the TP-Link one and will report back in due course!