topic Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7 in My Router

Upgrading to WiFi 7

Surfer — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:30:22 GMT

It is my understanding that at present no Wifi 7 router has a built in modem therefore one needs to use the Plusnet Hub 2 as the modem and one needs to do some sort of bridging exercise in Advanced settings for the two to connect. If we instal a VPN on the WiFi 7 router, can we switch to using the Hub two without VPN if necessary?

Every now and then our Hub two shuts down for no reason, but strangely only when there is no data being passed i.e. we are out and about. To resolve the issue I simply unplug the Hub and plug it in again. This may happen every few days or even weeks. When it shuts down, we have no phones.

I am thinking of initially combining the Hub 2 with a WiFi 6e or Wifi 7 with Ethernet port speed up to 2.5Gb to get the initial feel of the two working together before buying a separate modem if the Hub 2 continues to shut down. More future proofing than anything else. We have 4K capable TVs and a 4k Firestick.

Just looking for some input and pointers as I am a total novice at some things. Thanks.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

PhilipHeyes — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:18:12 GMT

Before splashing cash and being deeply disappointed it is worth reading up to considerably to exceed the novice state. Having enough Wi-Fi coverage around the home is far more important than having the latests little used standards.

Wi-Fi 6 & beyond were designed to solve problems that are not really present at home, such as serving very high numbers of client devices in public conference halls or in airport departure lounges.

There are many Wi-Fi 6 & 7 Wireless Access points available and you also need to have client devices that support the same standards & bands to even connect at those levels, let alone find benefits.

One trap to be aware of is Wi-Fi 6 ( 802.11ax ) and later on the 2.4Ghz band, this has the potential to not work with Wi-Fi 4 IoTs e.g. CCTV / Smart Switches / Wi-Fi Printers and the like. Be sure to research what Wi-Fi 6 and later settings would need to be disabled for good backward compatibility with Wi-Fi 4 single band devices.

Truth is Wi-Fi 4 devices enjoy the best compatibility and performance with low cost Wi-Fi 4 Access Points.

Take a look at the type of options on : https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/

Be very clear what problem needs to be solved.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

Surfer — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:48:38 GMT

Thanks very helpful reply. Just to explain a bit more. My laptop is Wifi 6 and also the Firestick 4K Max. Our main Tv has a direct ethernet connection and is a 4K/UHD TV. Both our Samsung phones are Wifi 6. We do not have a phone and use the Hub 2 for calls.

As said the main reason is the Hub 2 switching off occasionally for no reason and also wifi dropping out on occasion. With the Wifi dropping out I am not sure whether it is the Wifi or the stream coming from the cabinet as we are FTTC connected.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

bmc — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:54:44 GMT

@Surfer

PN have always been happy for customers to use their own equipment so if you find a router / modem that suits your needs you can remove the Hub2 from the setup.

Brian

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

MisterW — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:55:12 GMT

@Surfer

With the Wifi dropping out I am not sure whether it is the Wifi or the stream coming from the cabinet as we are FTTC connected.

Reviewing the Hub 2 event log will help determining that

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

PhilipHeyes — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:57:18 GMT

With FTTC there is zero value to be found past a Wi-Fi 4 / 5 system.

When you say Hub 2 is switching off ... do you mean that literally i.e. it is a HUB Power Supply issue or an internal fault ?

Solve the Hub 2 issue first.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

Surfer — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:45:39 GMT

Please clarify how I would access the event log on the router and what would I be looking for? When the router shuts down, it is as if it is unplugged. I will disconnect the UPS to which it is plugged into to make sure there is no issue with the UPS as it was a cheapie.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

PhilipHeyes — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:54:29 GMT

"When the router shuts down, it is as if it is unplugged"

Are we to read this as: .... The lights go out on the Hub 2 ?

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

jab1 — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:55:53 GMT

@Surfer You will find the event log on the page displayed in the attached screenshot.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

Baldrick1 — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 22:55:39 GMT

@Surfer wrote:

Just to explain a bit more. My laptop is Wifi 6 and also the Firestick 4K Max. Our main Tv has a direct ethernet connection and is a 4K/UHD TV. Both our Samsung phones are Wifi 6. We do not have a phone and use the Hub 2 for calls.

To get this into context, streaming 4K/UHD needs no more than 30Mbps. Decent WiFi distribution is more important than an extremely fast single router. Spend your money on a WiFi 5/6 mesh setup.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

Surfer — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 07:38:33 GMT

Taking into account all the valuable information received, I think it would be best to replace the possibly faulty Plusnet WiFi5 router with a decent reliable Wifi 6 router and forget about VPN on the router. Probably best to have the VPN on the laptop only. Now need to find a decent Wifi 6 router.

Just to add, when the current router shuts down, it is totally dead i.e. no power until I unplug it and then plug it in again. I have removed the cheapie UPS out of circuit to see if this is affecting the router? However it could take days or even weeks before I will know.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

jab1 — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 07:48:29 GMT

As said above, @Surfer , sight of the full event log would be extremely useful, although it sounds like a PSU issue.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

PhilipHeyes — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 09:40:44 GMT

@jab1

Are you able to post the URL for the PN Hub 2 menu and give the navigation to the event log ?

If needed, where is the Hub 2 password found - is there a sticker or similar ?

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

jab1 — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 09:50:52 GMT

@PhilipHeyes Sorry, I have never used a Hub2 - I left a Plusnet ADSL connection for FTTC with another ISP.

The URL and all other required details for access to the management interface are provided on a pull-out card supplied with the Hub.

I would have thought anyone should be able to navigate from the Hubs 'Home'/overview page.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

mystreet1 — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 10:11:40 GMT

Flint 2 (only wifi 6) or the newer v3 which is wifi 7.

Wait until the 20th and see what is on amazon, price wise

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

MaxSync — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 19:30:03 GMT

@Surfer wrote:

It is my understanding that at present no Wifi 7 router has a built in modem ...

I agree that they are rare, however the AVM FRITZ!Box 7690 can do FTTC and Wifi 7.

@Surfer

Given that your FTTC will be replaced by FTTP probably within the next two years, you might be better off "future proofing" by buying a router (without built in modem) that fits your networking requirements and has a WiFi standard that matches the devices you have or anticipate owning.

While waiting for Openreach to deploy FTTP, use an external dedicated VDSL2 modem such as a DrayTek Vigor 130 or Vigor 167 (both cheap on eBay) which will provide superior connection stability and speed on your copper landline, that can simply be removed when you upgrade to full fibre.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

Surfer — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 07:14:30 GMT

Thanks for the suggestions and I think that the modem and a router is the way forward for us if we are moving to FTTP next year?

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

jab1 — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 07:42:22 GMT

@Surfer 'I think that the modem and a router is the way forward for us if we are moving to FTTP next year?'

NO. If you provide the error log, as has been requested numerous times in this topic, I suspect we will discover you have defective kit.

The Hub2 is perfectly capable of dealing with FTTP, as it only functions as a router - the modem on that system is in the ONT which will be installed as a part of the upgrade installation.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

Dan_the_Van — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 08:18:11 GMT

@Surfer

To retrieve the Hub Two event log, for simplicity this should be performed on a PC. via WiFi or wired connection

Provided you are running the default IP Address range,click on http://192.168.1.254 this will take you to the hubs landing page 'Home'

Navigate >Home >Advanced settings >Technical log >Event log Use the Export option to download the event log to your PC download folder.

↓ use the paper clip found below the post window, once attached it can be checked.

Re: Upgrading to WiFi 7

jab1 — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 08:20:12 GMT

@Dan_the_Van Thanks. I sometimes forget we don't all have the same knowledge.