TP-Link Archer VR400 V3 Incompatible with PlusNet ADSL?

[#1]

The TP-Link Archer VR400 (V3) claims to be compatible with PlusNet ADSL. However, having tried it with the correct settings I find that it will not connect. My old router (TP-Link WD8960N) continues to work correctly with the same settings, so neither my settings nor my phone line are a problem.

The following (anonymised) settings should be correct but don't work:

  PlusNet ADSL
  PPPoA
  VPI 0, VCI 38
  VC/MUX
  ADSL Username xxx@plusdsl.net
  ADSL Password xxx

The DSL LED stays on but the Internet LED stays off. The router web page says it failed to connect.

Looking at the router log it's as if it's not responding correctly to CHAP challenges, despite using the correct ADSL username and password:

  PPP: ppp1 sent [CHAP Response id=0x1 <3c7cd4e19e198995a14917d4f9633e87>, name = "xxx@plusdsl.net"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [LCP EchoRep id=0x0 magic=0xee485b]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [LCP ConfReq id=0x23 <auth chap MD5> <magic 0x5a794602>]
  PPP: ppp1 LCP down
  PPP: ppp1 sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x2 <mru 1480> <magic 0x126a836a>]
  PPP: ppp1 sent [LCP ConfAck id=0x23 <auth chap MD5> <magic 0x5a794602>]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [LCP ConfAck id=0x2 <mru 1480> <magic 0x126a836a>]
  PPP: ppp1 sent [LCP EchoReq id=0x0 magic=0x126a836a]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x4d <66050e7128e1265c4b40bacddcc4e1069135d550d619903d882811>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [LCP EchoRep id=0x0 magic=0x5a794602]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x4e <84aeba3faa0db0157c47cac99d17d275fe02ec0ac4>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x4f <cdab426c33f773591cbde63a5c3afb9ce730>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x50 <5b8cda525868a304193c9d1083c061bbce>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x51 <f17f656e49385f57d0a5c82474d255ed>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x52 <404429730e59787910bfeb5ab7182647daaee342b1c2ec30f3b30817e7>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x53 <9da8e6473c15ab7e7df8314f5289f57d4d36cd11040c61b38470de>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x54 <f32adaae20152a3030d7851b9d85435a186a7c729f4379>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 sent [LCP EchoReq id=0x1 magic=0x126a836a]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [LCP EchoRep id=0x1 magic=0x5a794602]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x55 <0dd0b45843ba652d0e58239ba268e265bdd13391eeab10933916447faeba612c>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x56 <60d513129595c57ea7d65ffe0b45e022bd5fe9ca68d3c5933dea6467b055b3>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [CHAP Challenge id=0x57 <9ca47d5bab6cf63be49a758281f52916365a25ff880200>, name = "JUNOS"]
  PPP: ppp1 rcvd [LCP TermReq id=0x24]
  PPP: ppp1 LCP down

The router firmware version was already the latest one available from TP-Link.

This seems to be the same kind of failure previously reported on this forum:

  https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/Help-Setting-up-TP-Link-AC1200-Archer-VR400-Wireless-Dual-Ba... 

Any ideas? Thanks!

[#2]

Hi @kjt 

I use this router but with VDSL with no issues, I am very impressed with the wifi coverage compared to PlusNets offering.

A thought, does your password have any special characters? A suggestion would be to use only alpha or numeric characters, password changed via the members centre.

Dan.

[#3]

Many thanks for the suggestion about the ADSL password. I had a non-alphanumeric character which I have now removed. Unfortunately that didn't fix the problem.

I had a closer look at the router log. Initially the router responds to a CHAP challenge but then requests use of CHAP. The router then ignores all further CHAP challenges issued by PlusNet. I suspect that the router is not correctly operating the LCP/CHAP protocol.

In outline, here is one example from the router log of failure to connect:

  00:00:15 DSL training begins
  00:00:33 DSL training finishes successfully
  00:00:35 the router sends LCP configuration requests that are acknowledged by PlusNet
  00:00:35 PlusNet sends a CHAP challenge and this is responded to by the router
  00:00:35 the router sends an LCP configuration request for CHAP authentication that is acknowledged by PlusNet
  00:00:35 PlusNet sends a CHAP challenge that is not responded to by the router
  00:00:39 PlusNet sends further CHAP challenges every 4 seconds that are also ignored by the router
  00:02:20 PlusNet gives up after multiple attempts and issues an LCP termination request that is acknowledged by the router
 
I have reported this to TP-Link technical support.

[#4]

Hi @kjt

You could try using PPPoE to connect to Plusnet.

PPPoE is the normal method for FTTC connections and I used it when last on ADSL.

My understanding is the newer BT 21CN network will support either PPPoA or PPPoE for ADSL connections.

The (now very) old legacy BT network only supported PPPoA.

Richard

[#5]

Thanks for the suggestion of trying PPPoE. I deleted the default PPPoA connection and replaced it with a PPPoE one. The router connects at the physical level but fails to get any further. The router log shows multiple initiation requests for various host addresses without getting a response, e.g.:

  00:01:13 [5] System: DSL Training
  00:01:32 [5] System: DSL Link Up us/ds 888/11186 kbps Type ATM Annex A
  00:01:37 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PADI Host-Uniq(0x000003f6)]
  00:01:42 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PADI Host-Uniq(0x000003f6)]
  00:01:52 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PADI Host-Uniq(0x000003f6)]
  00:02:12 [3] PPP: ppp0 Timeout waiting for PADO packets

It may be that PPPoE isn't set up on the exchange side. AFAIK I've been using PPPoA to date.

[#6 · Accepted solution]

After several rounds with TP-Link technical support, they finally confirmed that this is a known problem with the firmware supplied (version 1.1.0). They provided a beta version of the firmware that solved the problem. In due course, I imagine that an official update will be made available for download.

Hmm. This could have been a whole lot more pleasant experience.

[#7]

Hi Bud,

We are having the same issue with a batch of V3 routers and TP-Link support are leading us round in circles.

Have you got a copy of the beta firmware still. If so can I have a copy please?

Kind Regards,

Daniel. 

[#8]

The beta supplied to me by TP-Link technical support is marked as "confidential and for test only", so I don't think I can properly pass it on. They told me that it will eventually be made public, but they want to complete testing first.

I think your best bet is to get TP-Link technical support to supply this to you. They were prompt in responding to my web enquiry, so I'm surprised you're not getting anywhere.. Admittedly, it was only when their first-line support person escalated my problem to a senior engineer that I was told about the fix. In case it helps, I was dealing with Fitz.Peng (Technical Support Engineer) at TP-Link. It might also help to mention that another customer (me) has been provided with the beta.

Good luck.

[#9]

Hi Kjt,

Thanks for the prompt resposne, we have 20 routers in the field with this issue and they are all brand new so hopefully they are prompt! I will see what I can do.

Thank you.

Kind Regards,

Daniel. 

[#10]

Hi

I can confirm that the factory supplied firmware on the VR400 has a bug that will prevent connection to Plusnet VDSL. I have spent the last two days with both Plusnet tech support (who were very helpful) and TP-link tech support.

The first contact with TP-link was via their web support chat who tried to help but the real success came via their telephone support. As soon as I mentioned I couldn't connect to Plusnet DSL they straight away said there is an issue with the firmware that prevents connection.

They emailed me a link to the latest Beta version and after installing that the router connected straight away. So if you have a TP-link VR400 and cannot get connected to the internet with Plusnet, call TP-link tech support.

[#11]

Thanks for helpful information guys, I've requested that the Mods pin this thread to the top of the board.

[#12]

I should add that the email I received said they are hoping to put the updated firmware on full release soon.

[#13]

I have bought the same router and cannot connect to VDSL with Plusnet 😞

I've tried an online chat with TP Link but not that helpful.

Do you have a link to the correct firmware at all. Plusnet technical support tried but didn't seem aware of a problem with this router.

[#14]

Try calling their help line, not the web chat. They answer quickly and were really prompt with the fix. It was about 5 minutes from start to finish for me.Failing that PM me on here.

[#15]

Hi @adamwhitham 

sorry for the slow reply.

My firmware version 1.0.0 0.9.1 v00a1.0 Build 200518 Rel.54121n, it is the version it came with.

Does your password have any special characters?

When I set it up I used 192.168.1.1 and Quick Setup, selected Plusnet_VDSL and just followed the instructions.

Have you made any changes in the advanced section?

Dan