topic Trying to use a different router! in My Router

Trying to use a different router!

timbo49 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:39:06 GMT

I have a hub2 but wish to upgrade to a more modern router having wifi7, WPA3 etc.

I have a TP-Link BE3600 which I am struggling to connect to the internet.

I thought it would be as simple as connecting the cable from my Hub2 WAN to the WAN socket on the BE3600, but no!

Surely I do not have to put the hub2 into Bridge mode and connect from one of the Lan Sockets to the BE3600 WAN socket?

Even after entering my Plusnet ID and wireless password, choosing PPPOE, VLAN 101 and priority 0, I have had no success.

I have tried watching videos showing how easy it should be!

I would be grateful for an idiots guide!

Re: Trying to use a different router!

Baldrick1 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:53:42 GMT

Moderator's note:
Thread moved from Broadband to My Router

Re: Trying to use a different router!

MisterW — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:01:43 GMT

@timbo49

thought it would be as simple as connecting the cable from my Hub2 WAN to the WAN socket on the BE3600, but no!

Surely I do not have to put the hub2 into Bridge mode and connect from one of the Lan Sockets to the BE3600 WAN socket?

If you dont want double NAT , then yes , you put the Hub 2 in bridge mode and connect a LAN port to the BE3600 WAN

Even after entering my Plusnet ID and wireless password, choosing PPPOE, VLAN 101 and priority 0, I have had no success.

You need to disable VLAN ID (or set to 0), the Hub 2 in bridge mode will handle the VLAN requirement

and Plusnet ID is <youraccountname>@plusdsl.net and the password is the one you use to access the portal www.plus.net/login

Re: Trying to use a different router!

Baldrick1 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:01:38 GMT

@timbo49 Welcome to the Plusnet Community Fora.

If you are on FTTC then you must use the Plusnet Hub in bridge mode. If it's Full Fibre Then you enter PPPoE, your Account Usename and Account (NOT WiFi) password. VLAN must be blank if you have the option or else 0 for Full Fibre to work NOT 101.

Re: Trying to use a different router!

RealAleMadrid — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:08:19 GMT

@timbo49 If you are on FTTC or SOGEA (part fibre)i.e. then "Surely I do not have to put the hub2 into Bridge mode and connect from one of the Lan Sockets to the BE3600 WAN socket?" is exactly what you have to do!

However on Full Fibre (FTTP) you can connect the TP-Link WAN socket directly to the Openreach ONT (Hub2 not required)

TP-Link needs a PPPoE connection with your "username@plusdsl.net" and your Account password, not Wireless password.

Also no VLAN ID is required the HUB2 or ONT deals with the VLAN

Edit: Thanks to @Baldrick1 my original post was lost when the thread was moved, which is rather annoying.😡

Re: Trying to use a different router!

timbo49 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:24:30 GMT

My apologies that I did not clarify that I have fibre service (Full Fibre 500).

So direct connection between the ONT and the WAN socket on the BE3600 is correct.

I have entered my Plusnet ID (username) and the password used to access the Plusnet portal and have disabled VLAN ID - still no connection!

Have been at this for hours, so must take a break!

Re: Trying to use a different router!

timbo49 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:29:28 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for your help. I have full fibre, so have connected the ONT direct to the BE3600 WAN socket.

Have set PPPOE, and my Plusnet ID and the password used to access my Plusnet account. I have ignored VLAN.

The Tether app just keeps telling me "no internet connection".

At 77, I seem to have reached my capability limit!

Re: Trying to use a different router!

MisterW — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:32:19 GMT

have entered my Plusnet ID (username)

have you added the @plusdsl.net to the end of your username ?

Re: Trying to use a different router!

timbo49 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:47:34 GMT

Yes!
having connected ONT to the BE3600, of course I then have no internet connection - so using Tether on my iphone is the approach I have been using to try to connect the BE3600 to my Plusnet service.
But then I seem to get mixed up in trying to connect to a TP-Link network which seems then to want to connect to the Plusnet service I use with the Hub2.

its too much for this knackered old brain!

Re: Trying to use a different router!

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:22:12 GMT

@timbo49

Hopefully the procedure is the same as my TP-Link router. I would image your mobile device is selecting the Hub two as it has previously used it.

Before using the tether app turn the Hub Two OFF. I would reset the TP-Link and start again.

On the mobile device you should be able to connect to the BE3600 default WiFi. make sure the WAN port is connected to the ONT.

If I recall, on first switch on and connected to the BE3600 WiFi it prompts you setup a admin password.

->More --> Quick Setup is where I would configure the PPPoE connection

Next takes you to the WiFi setup screen, here you could change the defaults to match the Hub Two.

Re: Trying to use a different router!

timbo49 — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:48:02 GMT

Hi, I have tried the following:

Turned off the hub2

Reset the BE3600, turned on and waited for three white leds to light continuously and the red internet light to light continuously

Opened Tether on my iphone

Tried to scan the QR code on the BE3600 but got message "unable to join the network TP-Link_C488"

Tried to join the network manually but got message "could not find the network"

So I remain unable to configure the PPPOE connection with my usrename and the password I use to access the Plusnet portal.

I reckon I have exhausted my options, so must unfortunately return the BE3600 and stick with my hub2.

Thanks to all of you who have tried to help.

Re: Trying to use a different router!

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:00:48 GMT

@timbo49

IT might be possible to set the device up using a PC browser and connecting to it's IP Address using a wired connection.

That will remove the need to use WiFi

The BE 3600 IP is likely to be 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1

Re: Trying to use a different router!

timbo49 — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:15:43 GMT

I have tried using a wired connection, again with no success.

My head struggles with the fact that when I fire up the BE3600 and the leds are stable, the led for Internet stays red (ie unconnected) and I cant see why any network including the TP-Link_C488 network can then connect!

When I put my plugs back into the hub2 and fire that up, I am back online straight away.

Whatever I am missing is beyond me!

Re: Trying to use a different router!

MisterW — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:22:12 GMT

The BE 3600 IP is likely to be 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1

I'm fairly sure I read somewhere its 192.168.0.1 but accrding to the manual

https://static.tp-link.com/upload/manual/2025/202508/20250815/1910013637_Archer%20BE230&BE3600_UG_REV1.0.0.pdf

you should be able to use http://tplinkwifi.net/

The internet light WILL be red until you've configured the BE3600 with your Plusnet details. However you don't need an internet connection to configure it. You are connecting locally to the router , you don't need an internet connection to do that.

Re: Trying to use a different router!

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:25:55 GMT

@timbo49

Are you happy to give it one more try?

There is a System log which might indicate what is happening ->Advanced -->System --->System log

Save to local device and attach the file to a post.

The system log is reset to null on a reboot or switched off

Re: Trying to use a different router!

Baldrick1 — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:28:51 GMT

@timbo49 wrote:

Tried to scan the QR code on the BE3600 but got message "unable to join the network TP-Link_C488"

Tried to join the network manually but got message "could not find the network"

If you go to your phone WiFi available networks settings can you not 'see' the TP-Link WiFi transmission? If so, can you not slect it then connect? Obviously then enter the WiFi password.