Admin password blocked turning on WiFi

[#1]

I usually use a LAN cable for the Internet but needed to switch on WiFi for a a freind. First I got notice saying it was an unstable connection, but then 'Help'  revealed PlusNet says it is OK to go ahead. I then had to put in an Admin password but when I try to do this it says I have to wait 4 mins 59 secs. If I do that though, I get the same message and am told login is blocked. So basically I want to know how to turn on the WiFi. I have a PlusNet Hub Two. Thank you

[#2]

@sheilajlister 

My thinking is the message was not a secure connection not unstable?

Does this help explain https://www.plus.net/help/hubgui/hub-warning/ 

[#3]

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@sheilajlister wrote:

I then had to put in an Admin password but when I try to do this it says I have to wait 4 mins 59 secs. If I do that though, I get the same message and am told login is blocked. 

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Weird. I just tried logging in with an incorrect admin password three times (over Wi-Fi) and every time just got the message:

! Error - the admin password is incorrect

After then putting in the correct password I logged in as usual. No such message about needing to wait.

How many times did you try logging in? What browser are you using?

[#4]

@sheilajlister 

Are you completely sure you really are trying to log in to your own Plusnet Hub 2 router? Because it doesn't sound like it to me.

Aha! Confusion reigns... Admin password or Wi-Fi password? (Answer from BT Community - for BT Home Hub)

Solved: Hub Admin Password Fails - BT Community

The default Plusnet Hub 2 Admin (and Wi-Fi) passwords are both on the slide out plastic tab at the rear of the router - unless passwords have since been changed from the default by the user. If changed, this would require a reset of the router to start again.

[#5]

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@sheilajlister wrote:
 So basically I want to know how to turn on the WiFi. I have a PlusNet Hub Two. Thank you

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The Hub 2 comes with Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) both ON by default. So, unless one or both has been turned off by the user, nothing in the Hub should need turning ON or require the Hub's Admin password. To check this, go to your Hub Manager page in your browser - just bang on through the HTTPS messages as explained in post above. You will see a block "Wireless". Under this it will show the Hub's wireless status for each band:

2.4 GHz status: On/Off
5 GHz status: On/Off

Both are ON by default - if both are OFF then you will have to use Admin to turn one or both on, as required.

IMO, what you need to do is let the guest have the password for the Hub 2 Wi-Fi (NOT Admin). They can then enter this on their device when asked for the password to log their device on to your Hub 2 by Wi-Fi. This always seems the simplest way to me. (Unfortunately there is no 'Guest' account on the Hub 2)

I take it you were using the WPS button at the side of the Hub 2 to initiate 'auto' Wi-Fi password log in - this is presumably where this "Delay x minutes" comes from. Personally, I have never used this method. I can't therefore say now if the WPS password blocking does mean that now the 'normal' method won't work either. You'll just have to try for now and go from their.

[#6]

@sheilajlister 

 I then had to put in an Admin password but when I try to do this it says I have to wait 4 mins 59 secs.

If you repeatedly enter the incorrect password for admin, the "Admin login denied" message will appear.

The denied time increases each time you use the incorrect password.

You are using the admin password NOT the wireless password to gain admin access? The admin password is 8 characters and found on the removal card.

[#7]

@Dan_the_Van 

"If you repeatedly enter the incorrect password for admin, the "Admin login denied" message will appear.

The denied time increases each time you use the incorrect password."

How many times does it have to be incorrect for this to happen? It doesn't happen after three incorrect tries.

[#8]

@pvmb 

For me the fourth fifth incorrect password, gave me the Admin login denied message, with a 60 seconds countdown, after many more incorrect password attempts I'm at this point

Once I used the correct Admin password for Hub manager I gained access to the Hub.

Edit: corrected wrong password count to five.

[#9]

If some-one has been tinkering and changed the Admin password then factory reset the hub by pushing a paperclip or similar in the reset hole. Hold the switch closed until you get a green light on a Hob 2, otherwise about 30 seconds. This will return the password to that on the label.

[#10]

@Baldrick1 

"If some-one has been tinkering and changed the Admin password then factory reset the hub by pushing a paperclip or similar in the reset hole"

I think it's still very confusing as to what is going on here:

Are the Hub 2 Router's Wi-Fi channels ON or OFF - First thing to check IMO. Look at status at Hub Manager. No password required.

1. If ON, no need for Admin password - just need to supply Wi-Fi (not Admin) password to device user.
2. If OFF, used Admin (not Wi-Fi) password to log on to Router to turn them on. Then goto 1 above.

If Admin (not Wi-Fi) password does not allow logon to router then default password must have been changed - so reset router as explained above. In which case router will be restored to default password and, presumably, both Wi-Fi channels will now be on! So goto 1.

[#11]

@pvmb 

To me I think it is very clear what is needed

"I usually use a LAN cable for the Internet but needed to switch on WiFi for a a freind"

So the OP is looking to enable the WiFi, they are having issues with the Hub admin password. to gain access to the Admin screen.

My comments are based around this assumption.

If the Hub has had the latest Firmware update, then a password will be required to gain access to the Hub manager.

[#12]

"To me I think it is very clear what is needed

"I usually use a LAN cable for the Internet but needed to switch on WiFi for a a freind"

So the OP is looking to enable the WiFi, they are having issues with the Hub admin password. to gain access to the Admin screen."

Quite so, it was kind of my assumption too. But it might not mean that. 🙂

Why does the Hub 2's Wi-Fi need to be turned ON? It's usually ON by default - so, if OFF, it has previously been turned off, by Admin access. So why the difficulty with Admin access now?

Perhaps "switch on Wi-Fi" means enable Wi-Fi access for another device? It seems to, as the OP doesn't seem to use Wi-Fi, so perhaps wants friend to use Wi-Fi, which only requires Admin access if Wi-Fi is turned OFF... etc.

[#13]

@pvmb 

Not sure why you need to make it so complicated. Best leave it now for @sheilajlister to come back for more assistance if required, until then I will make no further comment on this thread.

[#14]

Thank you for all replies - I have been out all day.

Normally I have WiFi disabled in the Hub 2 manager on my laptop, because, as I explained, I prefer using a LAN cable. (So not disabled in the Router.)

Prevoulsy I have been able to turn WiFi it on in the Hub Manager by clicking a grey box that says Wirelss Disabled and then I go through quite a long procedure to enable it.  However now, and I have done nothing for this change to occur. I now get this message: 

Secure Connection Required

Access to the Hub Manager now requires a secure HTTPS connection.

⚠ You might see a browser certificate warning - what do I do?

If I press Help it says not to worry about a secure connection, So I then click 'Switch to HTTPS' but then I get the problem where I am told I can't log in with the Admin password.   I didn't mention being asked to switch to HTTPS in my first message. Maybe it is to do with that? 

[#15]

Thanks. I have tried maybe six seven times to log in and now it is says Admin Log Denied and I have to wait 7 mins 57 secs.  In the Hub Manager one of the red boxes says ' Restart Hub Manager '. I wonder what that would do?!