topic Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today in Broadband

Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

ColdharbourDave — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:05:11 GMT

I have had connection problems for several weeks after YEARS of stable connection.

The PlusNet support person claimed it must be my TP Link router (PlusNet had never given me a wi-fi router since the Alcarel "Rayfish" in 2003 ADSL days - so I had bought a BVelkin, then a better TP Link.

Support sent me the new approved PlusNet router with the art deco roundel which is normally surrounded by blue LED light (or turquoise?). In periods of instability it goes orange (for OFF) or flashing orange for off as far as all intents and purposes.

My trouble today started when I tried to log into my bank account.

They have remote verificatrion - you have to type in a number as shown on the screen when they call your phoneline.

Every time I type in the number the website (and PlusNet) goes off line.

Thanks mate!

Less seriously previously I have had such "crashes" when searching on Google.

Typically the DNS cannot be found and you get at least several minutes of disconnection.

The customer services guy today says my line is "unstable" and he hopes to get it stabilised within 3 days.

Why is PlusNet's service quality now so poor?

I'm beginning to wonder if one of the new fibre providers such a G Network is the way to go.

At least you don't then have to negotiate with BT Openreach (and possibly now EE)

I've been with Force9/PlusNet since 1994. I can feel a change coming on!

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

jab1 — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:14:00 GMT

@ColdharbourDave The PN Hub2 you have has an informative Error Log - could you export that and attach the resulting .csv file to a post please.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

ColdharbourDave — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 19:03:22 GMT

I have Hub Two.

I can show you manager screen as jpg

and a sample page of 217 pages as jpg

No obvious means of Exporting - the Export button simply kicks you back into the manager screen

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

jab1 — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 19:09:31 GMT

Have you checked your 'downloads' folder for the csv file? As I have never used the Hub2, I don't know where it goes after an 'export' function, but I do know many users have successfully produced the required file.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

outcast — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 19:48:40 GMT

@ColdharbourDave wrote:

The PlusNet support person claimed it must be my TP Link router

Well they would wouldn't they ! - anything to avoid spending time testing your connection

@ColdharbourDave wrote:

... so I had bought a Belkin, then a better TP Link.

@ColdharbourDave

So are you saying that you have a new Belkin and TP-Link, both being currently available models ?

If so what are their model numbers ? (just in case they are more useful than the Plusnet Hub2 for diagnosing your line fault).

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

outcast — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 19:48:06 GMT

@ColdharbourDave wrote:

I've been with Force9/PlusNet since 1994.

@ColdharbourDave

As you've been here so long, do you happen to have a STATIC IP address ? (as many of us had from back then).

If you do have a STATIC IP address, then it might be useful to setup a ThinkBroadband Broadband Quality Monitor

which after a day of logging, might give some clue as to what your line problems are ?.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

jab1 — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 19:54:13 GMT

I find the error log from the Hub2 decidedly more useful than a number of after-market units - at least the error log is comprehensive, and usually more useful that produced (even if it is available) by TP/Belkin kit.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

outcast — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 19:59:39 GMT

@ColdharbourDave

Have you tried getting the Plusnet automated fault diagnostic bot, to see whether it can identify any problems ?

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

ColdharbourDave — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 19:59:48 GMT

I had a Belkin I bought in 2010. I was given the TP Link as a cast-off about 5 years ago. This was dual frquency, and when I had connectivity issues a couple of years agio I tried the TP Link which seems to work happily.

Now I'm getting connectivity issues again PlusNet are saying they can't disgnose the line unless I use a PlusNet router - which they send next day free of charge - and I am using it.

The poster above you in the queue asked me to post up a csv file of the technical data.

My router does not do data export apparently - although it has an export button

See the image files in my reply on the data export.

I doubt the Belkin or TP link are as good as the Plusnet router. The Belkin is an antique single frequency (2.4GHz) model. And the TP link is at least 5 years old, notwithstanding it is dual frquency.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

MisterW — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:03:51 GMT

If the Hub 2 is flashing orange ,then it's losing DSL sync. That would indicate a line problem. Looking at one of the attachments posted it shows a log entry WAN3_INTERNET_ATM_0_38 which to me would suggest an ADSL connection ?

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

jab1 — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:03:24 GMT

@ColdharbourDave Yours is the first Hub2 I have known from users that doesn't do 'data export'. Have you checked your down loads folder as I suggested above?

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

ColdharbourDave — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:08:26 GMT

Nothing in downloads.

Was thinking of searching *.csv - but the export button does not offer a save ass option at all. or seem to do anything.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

ColdharbourDave — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:09:02 GMT

This is adsl - I am on copper.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

ColdharbourDave — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:10:15 GMT

I can't remember setting up a static IP address - but 2003 is a long time ago.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

jab1 — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:13:20 GMT

@ColdharbourDave wrote:

Nothing in downloads.

Was thinking of searching *.csv - but the export button does not offer a save ass option at all. or seem to do anything.

Strange. I will refrain from further comment - for the moment - and leave this to @MisterW , who knows a bit more than I do.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

outcast — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:13:27 GMT

@ColdharbourDave wrote:

This is adsl - I am on copper.

Do you still use a landline telephone with that ?

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

ColdharbourDave — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:17:54 GMT

Yes - I am on a landline.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

outcast — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:35:16 GMT

@ColdharbourDave

Have you checked to see whether you can upgrade from ADSL to "WBC SOGEA" or "WBC FTTP" ?

Enter your phone number in to the BT Broadband Availability Checker

It would be helpful if you could post here a screenshot of the result table and the text below it,

but being careful to not show your telephone phone number (just above the table).

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

outcast — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:45:47 GMT

@ColdharbourDave wrote:

I had a Belkin I bought in 2010. ... ... The Belkin is an antique single frequency (2.4GHz)

Ok so we'll disregard the Belkin

@ColdharbourDave wrote:

I was given the TP Link as a cast-off about 5 years ago. This was dual frequency, and when I had connectivity issues a couple of years ago I tried the TP Link which seems to work happily.

I'd still be interested to know what we've got to work with here, so knowing the model of TP-Link would be useful.

@ColdharbourDave wrote:

I doubt the Belkin or TP link are as good as the Plusnet router.

The Plusnet Hub2 is one of the worst routers to use on an ADSL line, so I'm hoping you have a better TP-Link.

Re: Connection goes on and off like a set of Christmas tree lights today

ColdharbourDave — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:47:15 GMT

Not sure what you are suggesting here.

I am on a copper landline to minimise cost - and being deaf it just so happens I have a BT 200 phone for the deaf.

I appreciate this will not be an option when copper ceases - but I am a (STATE) pensioner and trying to keep costs down.