topic Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75 in My Router

Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

dallyish — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 08:26:01 GMT

I set up the hub in Bridge mode and connected to my Deco XE75 router via Ethernet. I have FTTC and a BT box on the wall.

In the Deco config I set Connection Type to PPPoE username and password matching what I log in to the member area. DNS as Auto and nothing else. There is no option for VLAN or anything.

The Deco didn't seem to do anything and the Hub2 didn't appear to connect to the internet at all. I tried the ethernet in all of the 4 ports (3 not labelled and 1 WAN)

Any suggestions on what needs to be done to get it working?

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

Dan_the_Van — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 08:35:42 GMT

@dallyish welcome to the forum.

I have FTTC and a BT box on the wall

What exactly do you mean by a BT box on the wall?

For a Hub two in bridge mode the light will be a Pink colour, is this so? If it flashing orange there is NO DSL connection.

If you are FTTC the the Deco XE75 will connect to the WAN port of the Hub

EDIT: the PPPoE username is youraccountname@plusdsl.net

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

Dan_the_Van — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 08:54:41 GMT

@dallyish

**************** CORRECTION ******************

I mean connect to any three of the LAN ports

Thanks to @MisterW for noticing my error

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

dallyish — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:01:38 GMT

The box on the wall is the openreach master socket. So the Hub 2 is wired to that. When I put it in Bridge mode I'm pretty sure it just flashed orange. I believe I need to configure the Deco to make the connection?

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

markhawkin — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:06:06 GMT

@dallyish

This might help, you can follow the BT instructions except you need to use your Plusnet username and password. The VLAN ID is 101.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/support/faq/3855/

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

Baldrick1 — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:17:38 GMT

@markhawkin wrote:

@dallyish . The VLAN ID is 101.

NO. When using a Hub 2 in bridge mode, the hub provides the VLAN input.

The Mesh router VLAN should be off or blank

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

Baldrick1 — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:16:53 GMT

@dallyish wrote:

. When I put it in Bridge mode I'm pretty sure it just flashed orange.

In this case it’s not in bridge mode. Did you save the settings?

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

dallyish — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:30:14 GMT

The BT FTTC instructions at this link imply that the PlusNet Hub provides an IP address to the Deco Router as the connection type is 'Dynamic IP', so there is double NAT. That is how I have it set up today when the Plusnet hub is NOT in bridge mode.

I thought the purpose of bridge mode was that the Deco router did all the IP address allocation and routing and made the connection to the internet using PPPoE with the plusnet hub acting solely as a modem.

There is no VLAN options in the Deco configuration screen - see attached image of config options

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

MisterW — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:31:34 GMT

@Baldrick1 I don't know for sure, but would it still flash orange while it's trying to sync then only go pink once synched ?

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

Baldrick1 — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 11:00:32 GMT

@MisterW

You have inspired me to look by connecting a hub 2 to the mains with no input.

On booting it flashed orange. I changed it to bridge mode and on saving the lights immediately changed to pinkymauve. So no.

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

Dan_the_Van — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 11:26:02 GMT

@Baldrick1

Hub Two Firmware: 0.10.00.04201-PN

I beg to differ

If the Hub is put into bridge mode the light does go pink, but if you reboot it the it will flash orange. On reboot it will auto senses the connection to determine if ADSL or VDSL and connects accordingly.

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

Baldrick1 — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:41:53 GMT

@Dan_the_Van

We seem to.be at cross purposes here. The question I was answering I interpreted as being.: On changing the hub settings to Bridge mode, does the light turn pink or continue flashing orange until there’s a network connection, presumably by syncing to the incoming dsl.

I did not consider the effect of rebooting a hub in bridge mode, but am a bit surprised that it causes a reset. Obviously I would expect a reset to do so.

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

dallyish — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:38:06 GMT

I'm going have another go over the weekend when noone is using it. I'm sure I saved it in Bridge mode, but wasn't looking at the box when I did so didn't watch the lights change.

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

Dan_the_Van — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:16:11 GMT

@Baldrick1

On any significant change to the Hub I would always reboot it, seeing it as best practice.

I did not perform a factory reset prior to converting to 'Bridge Mode' which would probably be best advice.

Other than being pink I would not expect the behaviour of the Hub light to change.

Flashing Orange there is likely be no DSL connection or Solid orange if there is a upstream network related issue.

@dallyish

You might find it easier to configure the Deco using a browser

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

outcast — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:34:41 GMT

@dallyish

If you continue to struggle with getting your Plusnet Hub-2 to work in 'bridge mode',

you might want to consider getting hold of a dedicated modem that was designed for exactly your use case.

On eBay the second hand price of VDSL2 modems has plummeted now that many broadband enthusiasts are now selling their business grade VDSL modems - as they upgrade from FTTC to Full Fibre and are selling off their kit before it becomes worthless due to obsolescence by 2030 when the copper network is retired.

For example,

- you should be able to get a DrayTek Vigor 130 for around £10 + p&p,

- or a DrayTek Vigor 167 for about £15 + p&p.

If you do go for a Vigor 167, ensure you get one that is intended for UK usage, this should be indicated on the box, and/or the label underneath the modem should say something like "Applied Area : UK". Unfortunately a few years ago there were a load of cheap German imports that had the DSL port hardware optimised for European lines, but perform poorly on UK Openreach FTTC. These early imported models gave the Vigor 167 a bad reputation, however the more recent official UK versions are great - especially with the latest v5.2.7 UK BT optimised firmware.

(don't bother with the Vigor 166, it looks good on paper but in reality it is quite poor performing)

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

Baldrick1 — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:30:45 GMT

@Dan_the_Van

I see where you are coming from. Not having a broadband connection, I can only check with no input, but after putting it into bridge mode and getting a pink light, as you say, after a reboot it reverts to a flashing orange light.

However, I note that there is no wireless access (I haven't checked hard wired), so I assume that it's still in bridge mode, but with an irritating flashing orange, rather than a constant pink light.

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

dallyish — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:33:06 GMT

Thanks for that idea - I hadn't looked in a long while but for a tenner or so worth trying!

Re: Config Hub2 in Bridge Mode with Deco XE75

outcast — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:53:38 GMT

Yeah, this time last year the lowest prices for the same modems were typically £30 to £45.

I use both the 130 and 167 modems, each have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on how nerdy you are.