topic Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions in My Router

Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

orrery — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 13:54:08 GMT

I've just had FTTP connected and am up and running with my Hub 2 router. Pretty much everything in the house is WiFi connected, so I need to set the WiFi to the same SSID and password as I had previously. And there's the problem...

The Hub 2 prevents me from entering my previous password, which is 19 characters mixed upper and lower case. It declares it too weak and doesn't let me change it.

If I choose a new password then I have to access every device in the house and change the settings. Why oh why oh why can't the router warn me that it doesn't like my WiFi password and then let me change it if I insist?

Anyone have any ideas?

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:06:20 GMT

Taken from the hubs help; The options for the password

Wireless security password This is the password that other devices will need to use when connecting to the Plusnet Hub via wireless. The default password is also on the settings card on the back of the Hub. To help make your password as secure as possible, please make sure that it: ● is at least 14 characters long, but no more than 63 ● is a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters and numbers ● is not a name or a dictionary word ● is not a commonly used password like 'admin', 'abc123', 'welcome1', etc ● is not the same as information given elsewhere on your Plusnet Hub (e.g. the default or current Hub's wireless key, serial number, MAC address or wireless network name)

From this I expect is it may not like special characters but should include Upper, Lower case and Numbers.

My password is just numbers, I set this is with the first firmware version

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

orrery — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:20:57 GMT

Yes, they obviously tightened the requirements with a version update. I've been through exactly this with my daughter's new router and service with Virgin. The job turned from a 30 minute router swap to an all-day marathon swapping all the passwords on all her devices.

My point is - people need flexibility in their passwords. Mine exceeds the 14 character minimum length but still only gets an 'orange' rating.

I ditched the Hub 1 after a few days and I've just ordered a new router to replace the Hub 2, so two brand new routers in the corner of the loft (only retained in case I have issues). The other restriction I couldn't live with was the inability to split the two WiFi bands with different SSIDs and passwords.

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

Baldrick1 — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:23:05 GMT

@orrery wrote:
The Hub 2 prevents me from entering my previous password, which is 19 characters mixed upper and lower case. It declares it too weak and doesn't let me change it.

Are you using any special characters?

@orrery wrote:

. Why oh why oh why can't the router warn me that it doesn't like my WiFi password and then let me change it if I insist?

If it’s refusing to accept your new password then surely that’s telling you that it doesn’t like it?

Mine is running with a 10 character mixed case letter and numbers password.

Sorry if I’m stating the obvious but you are attempting to change it in the Advanced settings after entering the admin password?

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

orrery — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:37:01 GMT

No special characters.

Yes, it is specifically throwing up a box telling me that it isn't secure enough. My point is that it is 19 characters long, lower and upper case - two words followed by a set of all caps.

It then gives me two options, to go back and change it or continue. If I continue, it doesn't update the SSID and password - both buttons effectively just drop me back to change the entries.

I am indeed in admin settings, having entered the admin password. I can change lots of parameters, all fine, but it just wont accept my existing WiFi password.

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

HPsauce — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:39:59 GMT

Strange @orrery my Hub2 gives the same INFORMATION as @Dan_the_Van quoted but doesn't enforce it.

I've change my router admin password too and that also doesn't exactly follow the recommendations either.

My WiFi (SSID) name has been changed and the password is 10 characters long, a mix of letters and numbers to match my previous router. My Hub2 is just over 6 months old and is Firmware version:v0.10.00.04201-PN.

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

Baldrick1 — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:43:30 GMT

Maybe it’s sulking because there’s no number?

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

Champnet — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:52:31 GMT

From @Dan_the_Van 's post above.

● is not a name or a dictionary word

Remove the two words from your password how many characters are left ? Also they're all uppercase.....

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

orrery — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 16:36:03 GMT

@HPsauce wrote:

I've change my router admin password too and that also doesn't exactly follow the recommendations either.

My WiFi (SSID) name has been changed and the password is 10 characters long, a mix of letters and numbers to match my previous router. My Hub2 is just over 6 months old and is Firmware version:v0.10.00.04201-PN.

It is indeed strange. I changed the admin password without issue. The version is the same = v0.10.00.04201-PN

So, I've just run it through again and the detailed behaviour is very odd:

Enter new SSID and new p/w
Click Save
Box warns of insecure password, but gives option to go-ahead, so I go-ahead
New box appears warning that devices will be disconnected, but gives option to go ahead, so I do
Save process apparently completes OK
Settings screen now contains new SSID and p/w
WiFi Analyser on my phone shows no change in SSID
Refreshing the control screen by clicking away and back to it shows old settings

Bug maybe? I do have the 5G band WiFi turned off. Ho hum.

So, fancy new router with more aerials than I can shake a stick at is on order. We'll see how that works out.

I'm not playing around with different password variants (although it would be an interesting exercise) as the SSID and the p/w has to be the same as the old config.

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

HPsauce — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 16:57:44 GMT

I'd turn the 5Mhz band back on, do it again and reboot too for good measure, could be a firmware bug?

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

Baldrick1 — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:57:13 GMT

@orrery

Have you tried selecting 'Save' after each separate parameter change? For some reason the non volatile memory in the hub is clearly failing to save ..

Rather that a reboot of the hun I would suggest a factory reset to see if that kicks it into life. This should, I imagine, rewrite the pre-programmed SSID and Password back into this memory..

I have always considered the list of password requirements to be advisory, not mandatory.

Re: Hub 2 WiFi password restrictions

orrery — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 08:26:14 GMT

@HPsauce wrote:

I'd turn the 5Mhz band back on, do it again and reboot too for good measure, could be a firmware bug?

Tried that, doesn't work.

Interestingly, entering my usual WiFi p/w then padding with additional characters never makes it acceptable (it stays orange).