Many CenturyLink users ask the question of how to resolve blinking lights, which are an indicator that the Wi-Fi connection is not working. Maximizing the technical efficiency of routers and modems is a growing concern, as technology continues to push its boundaries and presents new challenges to you when you encounter slower internet speeds or lower bandwidth than you prefer.

Causes of CenturyLink Wi-Fi failing to work efficiently

This problem can be due to several causes, but solving the issue will need you to pinpoint the exact cause on your hands. It is worth noting that you may experience some challenges in your Wi-Fi usage, and it helps to remember them when diagnosing the problem.

These problems include:

Slow speeds

You may notice your router’s indicator light blinking blue after picking up that your streaming speeds have reduced, and your online videos are buffering. Other things to notice is when pages begin loading slower than usual even when there is a Wi-Fi connection, and your digital devices such as your smartphone show there is a low-level signal on their indicators.

Network outages

Another common problem that may cause your router’s indicator light to blink blue for an extended period is when there is a network outage. This can occur due to sudden errors on CenturyLink’s end, cable cuts, and bad weather.

Unstable connections

It is important to consider solving unstable internet connections as soon as possible, as they will disrupt your internet access.

Troubleshooting your router

Before doing this, cross-check with near friends who use CenturyLink or your neighbor to see if they are facing the same problem or not, as this will help you know if your router is the issue or whether it is a network problem.

If you find out that the issue is common to your area, you can go ahead to raise a complaint with CenturyLink and wait for them to solve the problem. If it is only affecting you, there are some troubleshooting methods you can apply, which we will outline below.

Solving slow speeds

• Check the speed – Always examine the speed of wired connections before starting to troubleshoot. You can do so through numerous free online speed meters.
• Adjust the position of the modem – you can move the modem closer to your device or main computer. While doing so, ensure its position allows it to receive plenty of air ventilation. You can also place it at a centralized location or high place to cover a larger space. Alternatively, you can buy a Wi-Fi extender to broaden the network’s reach.

Disconnecting internet

If your internet connection repeatedly disconnects, you can:

• Switch to Ethernet – wired connections help in strengthening broadband connections, so you can buy an Ethernet cable to connect some devices.
• Reboot the router – to refresh the router settings, reboot it. You should also ensure the router runs on the latest firmware and update it if it is not.
• Remove devices that cause Electromagnetic interference – these devices include Bluetooth devices, cellphones, treadmills, TVs, speakers, surveillance cameras, and automatic garage doors. When positioning your router, avoid placing it near these devices, especially when they are on.
• Get a Wi-Fi extender – This should help if parts of your house get poor or unstable Wi-Fi signals.

Inability to connect to the internet

If the previous Wi-Fi connection attempts fail to work, there are some ways you can solve the problem:

• Remove the router from its DHCP reservation list
• Open an additional Wi-Fi SSID and choose a WEP security format for the devices having trouble connecting to the internet
• Change the power setting of the device to ‘High Performance’ or ‘Always On’.
• Ensure you connect to the right network

If the Wi-Fi network still fails

If the connection still fails after all the troubleshooting attempts, then the last resort is to reset the modem to its factory setting.

However, attempt to see if there are any changes by rebooting the modem. Once you activate the factory settings, your devices will forget all customized settings, including the router password, DNS, static IP address setups, and customized settings; so ensure you note all this data before resetting the modem.

Resetting the modem

When all the methods above fail to work or your internet still presents issues, you will then reset the router using these steps:

1. Press the reset button on the modem for about 15 seconds until you see the power light blinking red or orange.
2. Wait for up to five minutes, until the light changes to amber.
3. Go through the activation process of the modem.
4. The power light should turn green or a solid blue color if the internet connection becomes stable.
5. Connect your devices to the Wi-Fi network as though it is a new one.

If none of these solutions work, then your modem may be experiencing a technical problem, and you will need to replace it with a new one.

Different lights on a CenturyLink modem and their meanings

Conclusion

If you notice the CenturyLink modem light is blinking blue, there are a number of solutions you can implement, or opt to call customer support if you need additional assistance.

FAQs

Why is the blue light flashing on my modem?

It can indicate two things: the router is rebooting, or there is a problem with the Wi-Fi connection or the modem itself.

Why is my DSL light blinking on my CenturyLink modem?

The DSL light will blink when it detects equipment and is establishing a connection. This should not take more than 5 minutes – otherwise, this will indicate a greater problem.

What to do if CenturyLink Wi-Fi isn’t working?

Check the modem settings to see if the network information is present, check the SSID on the modem’s label, or remove saved Wi-Fi networks on your device then attempt to reconnect.

The post Why is my CenturyLink modem blinking blue? appeared first on Techprojournal.

If you are a user of an Actiontec or Zyxel CenturyLink modem, you may see a ‘weak security’ notification at times when connecting an Apple device or iPhone to your Wi-Fi network, especially if it uses iOS 14 and above. This message appears mainly because the iOS system notices your network security settings are not set to WPA3 OR WPA2 (AES). Fortunately, there are methods you can use to increase your wireless security.

First, a breakdown of how Wi-Fi works

Before getting into problem-solving methods, it helps to understand how Wi-Fi connections operate, and what makes securing them so important.

Although a Wi-Fi connection is ‘wireless’, the connection still comes to your home through a series of either fiber-optic or copper wire lines. These lines will connect to a jack, then an Ethernet cable connects the jack to your modem in your router. The signals will then become wireless when the router broadcasts them in form of radio waves.

The wireless connection can come in two forms – an unsecured network or a secure one. If your network can only be accessed through a password, it is a secure network type, while unsecured networks can be accessed by anyone within the network without a password. The encryption style influences your security levels, so some guidelines to choose a security option are:

• WPA2 (AES) – this allows for the widest compatibility, as it connects to both legacy and current devices while still ensuring the connection between the devices and router is secure.
• WPA3 (WPA2/WPA3 mixed) – this is also good, although the WPA3 standard is quite recent in its introduction and was not a requirement on routers until 2020, so you may not find it on older routers.

These passwords are of two types: the router or admin password that allows you to access all the router settings through a special URL, and a network or Wi-Fi password that allows devices in your network to connect to it.

Most CenturyLink modems will include wireless security settings as a default, which requires you to provide a password to access the network. However, chances are that these default settings are inadequate when ensuring maximum security, although many people do not know it and still use the default admin settings. This means unauthorized people have an easier time accessing and interfering with your router, exposing your sensitive information and compromising your data.

There are basic steps you can take to improve the basic security levels of your home Wi-Fi network, which we will outline below.

How to know if the ‘weak security’ message is legitimate

• To verify if you are getting a legitimate message, check your phone settings, and select Wi-Fi.
• Tap on the ‘i’ (information) symbol next to the Wi-Fi connection with the weak security rating.
• The screen should display a message outlining the network security type, as well as notifying you that you need to change its configuration to a WPA2 (AES) or WPA3 type.

If this is the case, you will need to check if your devices have the latest updates in their software and apps, which you can verify by checking their settings. Additionally, you should also ensure your router is updated to the latest firmware by visiting the router manufacturer’s website and checking your model.

Resolving the error message

Depending on the specific router modem, the modem user interface may be slightly different in these steps.

Steps that apply to both Zyxel and Actiontec modems

1. Connect any of your devices like a tablet or computer to the internet through an Ethernet cable connected to your modem or through Wi-Fi.
2. Open a web browser (preferably Chrome) and on its web address field, type http://192.168.0.1.
3. Log into the settings interface of the modem (Modem GUI) through your Admin Password and Username.
4. Click on ‘Wireless Setup’.

If you are using a Zyxel modem

5. Once you click on ‘Wireless Setup’, click on ‘Wireless Security’ on the left side of the screen
6. Choose the ‘WPA2 – Personal’ option from its ‘Security Type’ dropdown menu. You may not see this option if you are using an older router modem, so if this is the case, select ‘WPA – Personal’ instead.
7. Save your changes by clicking ‘Apply’. This should remove the warning message, as you have upgraded your security.

If you are using an Actiontec modem

8. After clicking on ‘Wireless Setup’, the user interface should show a ‘Basic Wireless Setup’ screen
9. On its ‘Security Type’ dropdown menu, choose ‘WPA2 – Personal’. If you are using an older router modem, choose ‘WPA – Personal’ instead.
10. Save the changes by clicking on ‘Apply’. This should remove the warning message.

Conclusion

If you implement these changes and still get an error message, it is helpful to talk to CenturyLink’s technical support team as this may indicate a bigger problem.

FAQs

Why does my CenturyLink say weak security?

This is mainly because your router does not use the latest security settings in its encryption configuration.

How can I make my CenturyLink router more secure?

The best step is changing your router’s network name, as well as changing the password of both the router and network into unique entries that make the work harder for potential hackers.

The post Why does my CenturyLink say weak security? appeared first on Techprojournal.

There are two main types of error codes on a Nest thermostat; E and N errors. The N errors aren’t that critical since they only affect some features of your thermostat. E errors on the other hand are critical as they won’t allow you to control your cooling and heating until they’re fixed.

You’ll see an E80 error code with a message ‘No power to Y1 wire’ when your Nest Thermostat detects that the Y1 wire in your system has stopped working because:

• Your AC’s safety cut-out switch has tripped, preventing your AC from turning on in extremely cold weather or

• Your HVAC system is in need of maintenance.

You can resolve the Nest E80 error by installing a common wire (C-wire) or carrying out maintenance on your system.  

A summary of E80 error causes and how to fix

What are the causes of E80 error?

Your Nest Thermostat charges its battery using your system’s heating and cooling wires (Y1) and can work without a common wire. The work of a C-wire is to ensure constant supply of power to your Nest Thermostat’s internal battery.

The Y1 wire in heat pump systems controls the compressor that then heats and cools your home while in conventional cooling systems, the Y1 controls the first stage of cooling.

When power from your AC stops flowing to your thermostat, you’ll get this error. There are several reasons for your AC not sending power to the thermostat. They include:

1. Your HVAC system is in need of maintenance. With the help of a HVAC professional, you can find out if you need system maintenance.

1.  If you live in an area with cold temperatures in winter it may damage your air conditioner. You AC come with a safety cut-out switch that automatically turns off in extremely cold weather to prevent damage to the AC. This stops the flow of power from the AC to the thermostat.

How to fix

Steps

1. From the breaker box/fuse box, turn off your system’s power to avoid any electrical accidents.
2. Remove the thermostat display off the base by gently pulling it.
3. Take a photo of the thermostat’s wiring for future reference.
4. From the thermostat’s base, remove any Y wires (Y, Y1, and Y2). Remove the Rc wire in case you have both the Rh and Rc wires.
5. Use electrical tape to mask the exposed end of each wire you removed.
6. Clean all the wires using a sharp object like a pocket knife and push them all the way in their respective connectors.
7. Ensure the wires behind are all pressed down in their respective connectors before reattaching to prevent the display from not seating in properly.
8. Press the display onto the base until you hear a click to confirm it’s properly seated.
9. Turn power back on to your system and after the Nest thermostat turns on, check to confirm if the error is gone.
10. If the E80 error code is not showing, then you can turn on the heat. If your thermostat is not starting up:

Use a USB to connect to its USB port on the display’s back and charge for 5-10 minutes or until it turns on and put the display back on the back by pressing it until it clicks. Try turning on the heat.

11. If the error is still showing, connect the common wire. Make sure to turn off power to your system from the breaker box/fuse box.

At the back of the base in the wall, look for a wire labeled ‘C’ and push it into the connector labeled ‘C’. If you can’t see your C-wire, look out for an unused wire in the wall. If you see ‘The wiring to your equipment has changed’, select ‘continue’ until you’re done.

12. Turn power back on to your system and after the Nest thermostat turns on, check to confirm if the error is gone.

NB: Though you’ve gotten your system back up, it is recommended to consult a professional to come and take a look at your system and ensure its all has been properly fixed.

It is important to note that your Nest Thermostat requires a voltage of 3.6V for the display to turn on and if all is well, the voltage should generally be more than 3.6V. Also, for your thermostat to perform a software update, your battery should have a 3.7V.

Before working with any wires, you SHOULD always turn off power to your system from the breaker/fuse box to avoid any electrical-related accidents.

Conclusion

Constant power supply is required for your Nest Thermostat to work optimally. Although a common wire is not really needed during installation for your thermostat to work, it is good to connect it to just future power inconveniences.

FAQs 

Why is my Nest Thermostat cooling delayed?

Your system may have a built-in delay which is normal and helps prevent excessive wear and tear on your system and takes just a few minutes.

What is the work of the Y2 wire?

The Y2 wire is used to control your compressor’s second stage to allow different levels of heating and cooling in a heat pump. In a conventional cooling system, it helps cool the home faster by controlling the second stage of cooling.

The post How to fix Nest E80 error appeared first on Techprojournal.

If you are having problems with your XFinity XFi pods range extenders, here are a few things to check for and possible solutions;

Solved: XFinity XFi Pods Troubleshooting

Problem 1: XFi Pods Error Message ‘XFi Pods unable to come online’

Solution;

Sometimes when activating your XFi pods using the XFinity XFi app, you may receive an error message saying ‘Pods not coming online’. If you find yourself in this situation, you should;

• Check whether your XFi pods are plugged into a wall plug that are connected to switches. If this is the case, you should unplug them and change them to a different power outlet
• Check whether you have placed your first XFi pod about 20-30 feet from your XFi gateway and make sure that all the other XFi pods you are using are uniformly spaced from each other. This is important for even coverage throughout your home
• Ensure that there are no physical obstacles around your XFi pods that would tamper with coverage
• Once you have ensured that your XFi pods are in check, you should try unplugging them and then plug them back into your power outlet. Give it a minute to reboot and then check whether the light towards the front panel turns on
• You should also ensure that your XFi pods are not directly connected to your gateway via the Ethernet port towards the bottom. This may tamper with its wireless function which prevents it from going online
• If your XFi pods do not turn on, you should contact XFinity for more troubleshooting steps

Problem 2: Resetting your XFi pods

Solution;

Unlike other range extenders, resetting your XFi pods simply means removing it from the XFinity app. When you would need to reset your XFinity XFi pods, you should;

• Open the XFi app on your mobile phone and select the ‘Network’ option towards the bottom of your screen
• Choose the pod that you would want to remove from the pod/ reset
• Select the’ remove pod’ option
• Unplug the XFi pod from the power outlet on your wall

Problem 3: My devices keep disconnecting from the XFi pods

Solution;

When your XFinity XFi pods continuously disconnect from the internet, it ether signifies a problem with your Internet service provider (Comcast), your network is overloaded or you have connected to a bad public Wi-Fi hotspot. When your Wi-Fi signal keeps dropping, you should;

• Test whether other devices are able to hold a stable network connection
• Ensure that your XFi pods are not surrounded with obstacles that could tamper with the Wi-Fi signal
• Unplug the XFi pod from your power outlet
• Unplug your Comcast gateway and then wait for one minute
• Plug in your gateway and wait until the light on your Comcast gateway turns solid white
• Plug in your XFi pod to the power outlet
• Observe the behavior of the LED indicators on your XFi pods. It should turn solid white before turning green
• Reconnect your Wi-Fi device and observe the behavior of the internet

Problem 4: How do I activate and setup my XFi pods?

Solution;

If you would want to activate your XFi pods or would like to re-activate them using the XFinity mobile app, you should;

• Download the XFinity mobile app or ensure that it is already downloaded on your phone
• Sign in to the app using your XFinity ID
• Select the ‘More’ option towards the bottom right of your screen

• Under the ‘Add a device’ option, select ‘XFinity device’

• Select the ‘XFi pods’ option

• Select the ‘Get started’ option so that your XFi bods can begin the activation/reactivation process

Problem 5: Checking the location of your pods

Solution;

Some connectivity failures associated with the XFi pods may arise from how you position your XFi pods. To carry out a pod location check, you should;

• Check the distance between your pods. You should ensure that each pod is one room away from the other, that is, about 20-30 feet away from your router.
• Check the spacing between your connected devices. Here, you should ensure that your pods are well set halfway between your Gateway and your Wi-Fi devices for optimal performance.
• Ensure that your pods are put in the open. Do not hide them behind any table or furniture around your home. This way you can avoid wireless interference issues.
• Ensure that your XFi pods are not plugged into a switched outlet. This would be important in eliminating wireless interferences. If it is, you should unplug it and change its position to another outlet.

Once you are done with all of these your XFi pods should seamlessly work without giving you connectivity troubles associated with wireless interference.

FAQs

How do I know if my pods are working or not, what indicators should I look out for?

When your XFi pods are connected and are working well you should be able to identify a green light towards the front. Additionally, you can check on the XFi mobile app or the XFinity website.

How many pods to I need to purchase for optimal Wi-Fi coverage in my home?

The number of pods that you would need to purchase depend on the size of your home. A pack of three pods would be ideal if you are living in a 3-4 bedroomed home with multiple stories and a pack of 6 XFi pods would be ideal for you if you are living in a home with more than 5 bedrooms and one that has multiple stories.

The post {Solved} XFinity XFi Pods Troubleshooting Guide appeared first on Techprojournal.

If you are having problems with your Linksys Velop Wi-Fi system, here are a few things you should check for and possible solutions;

Solved: Linksys Velop Troubleshooting

Problem 1: How do I restart my Linksys Velop Wi-Fi network?

Solution;

When you want to restart your Linksys Velop Wi-Fi network when a connectivity failure occurs, you should try out the following steps;

• Log into your Linksys app on your mobile device and then navigate through your Velop dashboard

Android                                                                                                                IOS

Linksys.com                                                                                         Linksys.com

• Select on the menu option at the upper left of the screen
• Choose the ‘Network Administration’ option

Linksys.com (Android)                                                                  Linksys.com (IOS)

• When you get into the Network administration page, tap on the restart Velop option
• Then select restart

Once you restart your Linksys Velop Wi-Fi system, you devices disconnect themselves from your Velop. However, once it comes back online your devices will automatically reconnect to it when the node is ready.

Problem 2; How do I recover my administration password?

Solution;

If you would like to recover the administration password of your Linksys Velop Wi-Fi system, you should try out the following steps;

• Connect your mobile device to the Wi-Fi of your router and then go to the Linksys app
• If you are using an Android device, you should select the ‘Log in’ option but if you are using an IOS device you should select the ‘manage your Wi-Fi’ option.
• The next thing you would need to do is to select the ‘forgot password’ part
• Key in the email address that you would prefer your password being sent to.
• Open the email sent to you and then click on the link sent to you
• Enter the new password you have chosen for your Linksys Velop then confirm the password on the next box

Linksys.com

• Once you have done this select the ‘ok’ option and then ‘sign in’ to return to the Linksys app

Problem 3: How do I reset the nodes of my Linksys Velop to factory settings?

Solution;

Resetting the nodes of your Linksys Velop Wi-Fi mesh system would delete all the data of your network and start from its default settings. When you want to reset the nodes of your Linksys Velop to factory settings, you should try out the following steps;

• Ensure that your parent node is properly connected to a power outlet and is powered on
• Locate the reset button at the bottom of your Linksys Velop

Communityfibre.co.uk

• Press and hold the reset button for about ten seconds. Wait patiently until the light that is at the top of your parent node turns red and then fades in three pulses.
• Hold on to the reset button and do not let go of it until the light goes off and then it turns bright red
• Follow the same process on each of the child nodes of your Linksys Velop Wi-Fi mesh system
• Once all of them are done resetting, you should start the setup process again
• Log back to your Linksys app and check whether your devices have been added on the Velop administration page

Linksys.com

Problem 4: Firmware update

Solution;

You would need to update the firmware of your Linksys Velop so that you can fix any bugs that are causing glitches to your network. When you want to update the firmware of your Linksys Velop, you should try out the following steps;

• Download the latest version of your Linksys Velop’s firmware from the Linksys support website
• Launch the Linksys app on your mobile device
• Go to the dashboard, tap on the menu icon at the top left and then select ‘network administration’
• The automatic firmware update feature should be enabled on your Linksys app so that it can update immediately. This will upgrade all the nodes of your Linksys Velop Wi-Fi mesh system
• If your automatic firmware update is off, you should get a prompt that a new update is available. Select that option and allow the firmware to update
• Wait patiently until the lights on the nodes are solid blue. This shows that it is ready to start again.

Problem 5: Dropping Wi-Fi signals on my Linksys Velop

Solution;

Sometimes your Linksys Velop may be dropping Wi-Fi signals. This can happen because of low signal quality, frequency interference from other Wi-Fi devices or an outdated firmware. To fix your Linksys Velop when this happens, you should try out the following steps;

• Check the Wi-Fi connectivity of other devices on your network
• Try to change the channel of your Linksys Velop
• Move your Linksys Velop to a different location so that you are able to get a better signal
• Place your Linksys Velop high off the ground and keep it at the center of your house
• Change the network details of your Linksys Velop Wi-Fi mesh system on the Linksys app
• Upgrade the firmware of your Velop
• Reconnect your Wi-Fi devices to the network

FAQs

Do I need to always leave the parent node of my Linksys Velop Wi-Fi system hardwired to my router?

Yes you do.  The parent node of your Linksys Velop needs to always stay connected to your existing Wi-Fi router using an Ethernet cable.

What is the device prioritization feature on my Linksys Velop?

The device prioritization feature on your Linksys Velop allows you to prioritize devices that you want to have more speed and signal on your network. It allows you to choose a maximum of three devices that you want to have the best access when they are connecting to the internet.

The post Solved: Linksys Velop Problems Troubleshooting Guide appeared first on Techprojournal.

If you are having a problem with your Plume Wi-Fi pods, here are a few things to check for and possible solutions;

Solved: Plume Wi-Fi Troubleshooting

Problem 1: My devices are unable to connect to my Plume Wi-Fi pods

Solution;

At times, your devices may not be able to connect to your Plume Wi-Fi pods. In some instances, your devices may not be able to identify the pods. In the event that this happens, you should try out the following steps;

• Ensure that the Wi-Fi on your devices is on and confirm whether you can see the name of your Wi-Fi network on your device. If you are unable to find your network you should log into your Plume app and verify your network name and then share it to your devices.

Support.getcujo.com

• Check whether your pods and online through your Plume app
• Turn off the Wi-Fi on your devices and then turn it back on after about two minutes. This is important because your device will start scanning for available networks.
• Restart your devices if nothing changes
• Check with the manufacturer of your Wi-Fi devices because they may need special characters for your SSID and password
• Forget the old network on your device
• Reset your network settings to erase the data of previous networks and then start afresh
• Confirm whether other devices are able to connect to your Plume Wi-Fi pods. If they are also unable to, the problem could be with your Internet Service Provider therefore you would need to contact them for further assistance

When using your Plume Wi-Fi pods, you should always ensure that the Wi-Fi on your old router is turned off. If the old network is still broadcasting, your devices may have a problem connecting to the network. Turning off the Wi-Fi on your old router, will help you eliminate wireless interferences and allow you to enjoy seamless networking.

Problem 2: The devices on my wired network are not connecting to my Plume pods

Solution;

When your Ethernet connected devices are not connecting to your plume Wi-Fi pods, you should try out the following steps;

• Power-cycle your Plume pods by unplugging it from the power outlet. Do this when your devices are still connected via Ethernet
• Check your Ethernet cables and ensure that they aren’t loose or damaged. At times, the Ethernet cables may fail because their damaged or loose and this may cause poor and unstable Wi-Fi connections
• Check the settings of your router and perform a MAC filtering so that you can prevent any new devices from connecting to your network
• Check through the DHCP settings for your router. When doing this, ensure that you have enough IP addresses available for all your Plume pods and connected devices

Problem 3: What should I do when I want to Factory reset my Plume Wi-Fi pods?

Solution;

At times, when you are having connectivity failures, you need to factory reset your Plume Pods. To do this, you should try out the following steps;

• Delete the pods from your account
• Insert a paper clip to the factory reset hole on the plum pods and then hold it for a few seconds as you hold the main button

Plumelabs.zendesk.com

• When the LED at the bottom turns blue for about 15 seconds it shows that the resetting process has been completed
• You should then configure your settings
• Reconnect your devices

Problem 4: Dropping Wi-Fi signals with an error message that my pods are placed too far apart

Solution;

There are times when you would notice dropping Wi-Fi signals on your devices and then when you check on your Plume app you would find and error message saying that ‘your plume pods are placed far apart’. When this happens, you should try out the following steps;

• Start by moving your Wi-Fi devices closer to your Plume pods and confirm whether the connection is more stable
• Move your Plume Pods slightly closer to each other and then reconnect your devices as you monitor your network performance

It is advised that you should place your PowerPods at least 20-40 feet away from each other for optimal performance and you should place your SuperPods 30-40 feet apart to avoid connectivity failures.

Problem 5: Poor ISP speed test results

Solution;

Your Plume pods have a built-in ISP speed test that is used to measure the speed link between your Gateway pod and your Internet Service Provider. When you receiver poor ISP speeds from your speed test results, you should try out the following steps;

• If your ISP speeds are lower than 100 Mbps, then you should ensure that the Ethernet connection on your gateway pod is secure
• Run a ISP speed test on the Plume app so that you are able to get a baseline
• Switch the Ethernet cable between the ports that you are using to join your gateway pod to the router/modem
• Perform another ISP speed test and monitor the download speeds
• If this does not work, contact your Internet Service Provide

FAQs

How many Plume pods would I need for reliable network around my home?

For your studio apartment, you would need to use one SuperPod, for your 1-2 bedroom apartments you should use two pods and if you live in 3-4 bedroomed houses you should use three pods. For bigger houses than this, you should add PowerPods or Superpods.

What is the difference between Plume Superpods and PowerPods?

SuperPods have been designed for use in homes that have internet speeds that are higher than 200 Mbps while PowerpPods are for homes with Internet speeds that are less than 200 Mbps. The PowerPods are dual-band while SuperPods are tri-band with two Ethernet ports.

The post Solved: Plume Wi-Fi Problems Troubleshooting Guide appeared first on Techprojournal.

If you are having trouble with your Google Wi-Fi mesh system, here are a few things to check for and possible solutions:

Solved: Google Wi-Fi Mesh Troubleshooting

Problem 1: My Google Wi-Fi mesh device is not connecting to the internet and none of my Wi-Fi devices are working

Solution;

Sometimes, your Google Wi-Fi mesh system may not be connecting to the internet and when you check with your devices you realize that none of them are working. When this happens, you should try out the following steps;

• Check the cables and the connections on your Google Wi-Fi mesh device. While doing this, ensure that your Ethernet cables are not damaged and they are tightly put to your Google Wi-Fi mesh system.
• Ensure that your modem and Wi-Fi router are all powered on and their cables are secure
• Ensure that your modem is connected to an internet such as your DSL, Fiber provider’s line or cable that connects to your home
• Disconnect your Google Wi-Fi mesh system and your modem
• Reconnect your modem and then after two minutes reconnect your Google Wi-Fi mesh system
• Perform a mesh test to make sure that your Wi-Fi devices are connecting to the internet
• Confirm your configuration and adjust the WAN settings on your Google Wi-Fi mesh system

help.firewalla.com

• If you are still unable to go online, you should contact your Internet Service Provider
• Factory reset your devices

Once you have done all these, you should try and reconnect your Wi-Fi devices to the internet and monitor the connection throughout. Your connectivity issue should be fixed after this.

Problem 2: My Google Wi-Fi mesh system is not working

Solution;

If your Google Wi-Fi mesh system is not working and you would like to get it back online, you should try out the following steps;

• Ensure that all your Wi-Fi devices are powered and that all the cables are secure on your Google Wi-Fi mesh system are secure
• Unplug your Google Wi-Fi mesh system from the power outlet and then plug it back in
• Go on the google home app and then tap the ‘Wi-Fi’ option and restart your Wi-Fi point
• Perform a mesh test to verify whether your devices are working properly
• Confirm that your Google Wi-Fi mesh system is within the range of your router. If it is not, you should move it closer
• Once you have moved it closer, run another mesh test
• Factory reset your Google Wi-Fi mesh system

Once you have done all of these steps your mesh system should work properly. In the event that it does not, you should contact your Internet Service provider because the problem may be on their end.

Problem 3: Factory resetting your Google Wi-Fi mesh system

Solution;

When your Google Wi-Fi mesh system is facing any kind of problems, a factory set process would help fix it. When you want to factory reset your mesh system, you should try out the following steps;

• Unplug your Google Wi-Fi mesh system from your power socket
• Using a paper clip, press and hold the factory reset button

smartphones.gadgethacks.com

• Wait until the Google Wi-Fi mesh system finishes flashing blue and then it turns solid blue. This would take approximately 45 seconds
• Once blue, you should set it up and configure it

When you have done all these, your device will restart from its default settings.

Problem 4: Change your DNS

Solution;

When you want to change the DNS of your Google Wi-Fi mesh system, you should try out the following steps;

• Go on the Google Wi-Fi app
• Select the settings and action tab
• Under the network section, select the advanced networking part and then choose the DNS option
• Choose the DNS server that you prefer. (When you have chosen a custom DNS server, you should enter a primary or a secondary server address)
• Select the part written save to apply the changes.

Problem 5: Slow Wi-Fi

Solution;

Your Wi-Fi speed can be affected by the distance between your connected devices and your Google Wi-Fi mesh system, the type of device you are using, the physical barriers around your house or the frequency band that your devices are connected to. When your Wi-Fi is slow, you should try out the following steps;

• Move your connected devices closer to your Google Wi-Fi mesh system
• Run a mesh test to cross check the placement of your Google Wi-Fi mesh system.
• Move your Google Wi-Fi mesh system to a more open location away from any kind of barriers
• Restart your network
• If this doesn’t work, you should contact your Internet Service Provider for confirmation on whether your service works properly

Problem 6: I cannot find a device on my family Wi-Fi

Solution;

There are times when you cannot find your device on your family Wi-Fi. To fix this you should try out the following steps;

• Go to the google Home app
• Select the Wi-Fi devices option. On the list, you will find the connected devices that are in use at the top
• Tap on the device that you would like more information on and go through its MAC address
• Compare the numbers on your device and the Google home app and ensure that they are similar
• Disconnect the device and then reconnect it after a few minutes

FAQs

How should I handle my wired devices when using the Google Wi-Fi mesh system?

Each of the Google Wi-Fi mesh units has two Gigabit Ethernet ports. There is one LAN and one WAN on the main unit that you are supposed to connect to your modem and then there are other two LAN ports on the other two additional units.

Does each unit in my Google Wi-Fi mesh pack need to be hard-wired to the modem?

No. One of them should be wired but you can place the other two at any point of your house.

The post Solved: Google Wi-Fi mesh Problems Troubleshooting Guide appeared first on Techprojournal.

If you are having problems with your Nighthawk AX8 router, here are a few things to check for and possible solutions;

Solved: Nighthawk AX8 Troubleshooting

Problem 1: Unstable and slow network

Solution;

When you are faced with a laggy or slow internet connection on your Nighthawk AX8 router, you should try the following steps;

• Check the speeds of your Nighthawk AX8 router and check your Internet plan and ensure they match
• Restart your router
• Move your connected devices closer to your router incase it is a problem with the range coverage area
• Turn off the devices or applications that would require higher bandwidth
• Try out a new DNS server
• Re-connect your devices
• If this does not work, you should contact your Internet Service Provider for help

Once you have completed these steps, your network should be faster and more stable than before.

Problem 2: Consistent Wi-Fi drops 

Solution;

Dropping Wi-Fi signals are a possible challenge that may affect the efficiency of your Nighthawk AX8 router. A few reasons such as a weak hotspot, wireless interference from other surrounding devices, outdated firmware, outdated Wi-Fi adapter drivers and an overloaded network can cause this type of connectivity failures.

If you find yourself in a situation where your Wi-Fi signal keeps dropping and disconnecting on your connected devices, you should try out the following steps;

• Move your connected devices and use them when you are closer to your Nighthawk AX8 router. Confirm whether your connection is more stable when you do this because the problem may be with your range coverage area.
• In case your router is placed near devices such as microwaves and amplifiers, you should move it away from these devices and place it at a less distractive corner in your house
• Go on the NETGEAR website and update the Wi-Fi adapter drivers of your NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 router

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• Update the firmware of your Nighthawk AX8 router on the NETGEAR website

Routerinstallation.com

• Reset your router then restart your phone or computer
• If you have connected your devices on a public Wi-Fi network, you should log out and log in again. If this doesn’t work, you should connect to a different network.
  

Problem 3: Router not getting internet from modem

Solution;

When your NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 router s unable to get internet from your modem, you would need to power cycle in order to fix it. If you are faced with this type of connectivity failure, you should try out the following steps;

• Turn off all the connected devices on your router’s network and then turn off your cable modem.
• Wait patiently for about two minutes and then turn on your cable modem.
• Give it some time to boot up and restart
• Wait patiently for about five minutes so that your cable modem can establish a connection with your Internet Service Provider (observe the behavior of the LED lights and ensure they are stable to show that it is connected)
• Turn on your NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 router and give it a bit of time to boot up completely
• Reconnect your wired and wireless devices to your router’s network and check whether you can establish an internet connection

Upon the completion of these steps, your NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 router should be able to receive network from your modem without giving you any further problems.

Problem 4: Poor download speeds and low signal

Solution;

At times, the download speeds on your Nighthawk AX8 router may be really slow and at the same time you may be experiencing a low Wi-Fi signal. In the event that this happens, you should try out the following steps;

• Move your connected devices closer to your NETEGAR Nighthawk AX8 router and try downloading or transferring your files
• Ensure to monitor your download speeds while at it
• If nothing changes, you should log into the web app of your NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 router
• Change the channel being used by your Wi-Fi signal and connected devices

Kb.netegar.com

Picking the 5 GHz channel over the 2.4 GHz channel caters for your high bandwidth download activity as the speed is increased and you can download and transfer your files faster than before.

Problem 5: Either LAN or WAN port are not working

Solution;

Sometimes, the Ethernet cable on your LAN or WAN ports of your Nighthawk AX8 may be loose and may be causing them not to work. When your WAN or LAN ports do not work, the LED lights on your router do not light up or would frequently blink. If this happens, you should try out the following steps;

• Check your Ethernet cable and ensure that it is tightened and is not damaged
• Unplug and then plug in the power adapter of your NETGEAR nighthawk AX8 router to the power outlet in your household
• Turn on your NETGEAR Nighthawk router and wait patiently for the power LED to turn green
• Connect one end to any LAN port and the other to the WAN port on your NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 router using an Ethernet cable
• Check the activity of the LED to confirm which one works amongst all of them
• Repeat the same process for all the LAN pots on your router to identify which one has the problem

FAQs

Would the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 be enough for my 6000 square feet home?

No it would not. The NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 has been designed and optimized to cover a range of up to 2,500 square feet. Unless you set up your router as an access point.

What is the input voltage of the adapter that has been provided for my NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8?

The input voltage of the power adapter that comes with your NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 router goes up to 240 V.

The post Solved: Nighthawk AX8 Problems Troubleshooting Guide appeared first on Techprojournal.

If you are having problems with your NETGEAR R7000, here are a few things to check for and possible solutions;

Solved: NETGEAR R7000 Troubleshooting

Problem 1: NETGEAR R7000 not connecting to the internet

Solution;

In the event that your NETGEAR R7000 router is not connecting to the internet, you should try the following steps to fix it;

• Turn the wireless function off and then using an Ethernet cable, connect your computer to your router.
• Reboot your computer and check whether it can establish an internet connection
• If you cannot establish an internet connection, you should reboot your NETEGAR R7000 router and modems that you are using
• If this still does not work, connect your computer to the modem instead using an Ethernet cable
• If you are unable to get internet, then you should contact your Internet Service Provider because the problem may be on their end

Problem 2: Firmware Issues

Solution;

At times, you may face issues with your firmware, it may either be corrupt or outdated. To update your firmware you should try the following steps;

• Go to a web browser and key in ‘www.routerlogin.net’ or ‘192.168.1.1’
• Enter your network’s user name or password
• At the top of the screen, click on the ‘advanced’ tab
• Click on the administration option on the left-hand menu
• Select on the router update part and check the box

Docs.google.com

Before updating your NETGEAR R7000’s firmware, you should ensure to have downloaded it and pinned it onto the desktop of your computer. Once you have done this, your NETGEAR R7000 should not be having problems with the firmware.

Problem 3: Factory setting your router

Solution;

Generally, when you are having any kind of problems with your NETGEAR R7000 router, you would need to reset it to factory settings. Resetting your network would erase all your previous network data. You should try the following steps;

• Locate the reset button at the back of your router
• Using a paperclip or the tip of a pen, hold the reset buttons for at least seven to ten seconds

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• When the LED power light starts blinking orange, release the reset button
• Allow the router to reboot and wait for the power LED light to turn white
• Configure the settings of your router

Once you have completed these steps, your NETGEAR router should be working without network glitches.

Problem 4: Setting up your router

Solution;

Setting up your router may be a challenge when you don’t know how to and doing it wrong may give you connectivity troubles. To setup your router, you should follow the following steps;

• Screw the antennas to the posts at the back of your NETEGAR R7000 after removing the cap from each antenna
• Place the external antennas of your NETGEAR R7000 router at 45° angles and put up the antenna at the center vertically

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• Unplug your modem from the power outlet to turn it off. Alternatively, you can remove the battery from the modem to turn it off depending on its type
• Locate the yellow port at the back of your NETGEAR R7000 router and then connect the Ethernet cable to it and then connect the other end of the same Ethernet cable to your modem
• Plug in your modem to the power outlet and let it restart
• Turn on your NETEGAR R7000 router by pressing the power button and wait patiently until the power LED turns solid white
• Using your Android or IOS mobile device, connect to your NETEGAR R7000 Wi-Fi network. To connect you should use the username and password that is on the label at the back of your router

kb.netgear.com

• Go to a web browser and give the NETGEAR Genie a bit of time to automatically load or check through ‘www.routerlogin.net’
• Follow through the steps that are on the screen prompts so that you can finish up on setting up the Nighthawk

Problem 5: Changing you network name and password for security

Solution;

Aside from changing your network name and password for security purposes, you should do it for easier access into your network. To do this, you should follow the following steps;

• On the homepage of your Nighthawk app, click on the ‘wireless’ option

Shopkeep.com

• Key in a name, set up a password and select a security type for both the 2.4 and 5 GHz channel

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• Once you are done select the ‘apply’ or ‘save’ option to secure the changes you have made on your NETGEAR R7000 router
• Reconnect all your devices to your network using the new SSID that you have created

Once you have followed these steps, your SSID would have changed and the new network name should appear on the ‘available networks’ part on your Wi-Fi devices.

FAQs

What does it mean when my LAN port LED on my NETGEAR R7000 router is showing an amber color?

The Amber LED show that the existing connection is at a slower speed than the throughput speeds supported by your NETGEAR R7000 router.

What does it mean when I plug in my USB storage to my NETGEAR R7000 router and I do not see the USB LED lit?

When this happens, it means that your NETGEAR R7000 router is unable to recognize your USB storage. In this case, there may be an interoperability issue. What you would need to do, therefore, is to try and plug your USB storage device into a different USB port than the previous, then check whether it works.

The post Solved: NETGEAR R7000 Problems Troubleshooting Guide appeared first on Techprojournal.

If you are having problems with your NETGEAR R6300, here are a few things to check for and possible solutions;

Solved: NETGEAR R6300 Troubleshooting

Problem 1: Consistent Wi-Fi drops

Solution;

At times, you may experience consistent Wi-Fi drops when using your NETGEAR R6300 router. This could be because the strength of your Wi-Fi hotspot may be really weak or your Wi-Fi network may be overloaded. Also, this connectivity issue can come up because of wireless interferences with other devices or because your Wi-Fi adapter drivers are outdated and your wireless is running on outdated firmware.

When your Wi-Fi connection keeps dropping or disconnecting from your devices, you should;

• Move closer to your NETGEAR R6300 router and check whether the connection works better
• Move your router to a different place in the event that it is surrounded with other disruptive devices that may tamper with the signal
• Update the Wi-Fi adapter drivers of your NETGEAR R6300 on the NETGEAR website

Kb.netgear.com

• Update your NETGEAR R6300 router’s firmware on the NETGEAR website

Routerinstallation.com

• Reset your router then restart your phone or computer
• If you have connected your devices on a public Wi-Fi network, you should log out and log in again. If this doesn’t work, you should connect to a different network.

Problem 2: Firmware update problem

Solution;

At times when you are updating your firmware it may show a failed firmware update problem on your NETGEAR R6300 router. If this happens you should update your firmware using windows TFTP. Try the following steps to do that;

• Start by downloading and saving your NETGEAR R6300 firmware onto the desktop of your computer.
• Ensure that you have extracted the file from the zip file
• Connect your computer to your NETGEAR R6300 router
• Right click on the windows start button on your computer and then go to the Network Connections option
• Choose the Ethernet option and select properties
• Double click on the TCP/IPV4 option
• Set it so that it can have a static IP address. The static IP address should be 192.168.1.10, the default gateway is 192.168.1.1 and the subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0 and then click the OK option to save the configuration
• Type ‘cmd’ on your windows search box to open the command prompt on your computer

Kb.netgear.com

• Type in Cd desktop to change your command prompt to your desktop then type in tftp-i[ NEGEAR R6300 IP] put [the filename of the firmware].[format of the file] but do not press enter
• Unplug your other Ethernet connections except your PC
• Turn off your router for about ten seconds
• Hold down rest button and power on router simultaneously
• Wait for the power LED to start flashing then release the rest button
• Press enter on your laptop to execute the TFTP command and wait for the power LED of your NETGEAR R6300 router to go on

Once you have completed these steps, your router should be able to boot up properly and you shouldn’t have problems with your firmware update.

Problem 3: Turning off remote management feature

Solution;

The remote management feature helps you connect your NETGEAR R6300 router over the internet when you are away from home. When you want to turn on the remote management feature on your NETEGEAR R6300 web user interface, you should try the following steps;

• Log in to your NETGEAR R6300 router
• Click on the advanced tab
• Select the advanced setup option
• Click on the remote management option
• Tap on the checkbox to turn remote management off then select apply to save the changes that you have made.

Problem 4: Cannot connect to guest network

Solution;

When you are unable to connect to the guest network that you have set up on your NETGEAR R6300, you should perform the following solutions;

• Contact your Internet Service Provider to confirm the status of your internet
• Check through the network settings of your devices and ensure that you have enabled the Wi-Fi feature and confirm that your airplane mode feature is turned off
• Unplug the power cable from your NETGEAR R6300 router, wait for 30 seconds and then plug it back in to restart your router
• Reset your NETGEAR R6300 router to its factory settings by pressing and holding the reset button for about 10 seconds
• Connect your devices to check whether it works now

Once you have finished doing this, you should be able to seamlessly connect to your guest network

Problem 5: Error message- ‘router not found’ when trying to install my NETGEAR R6300 router using the Nighthawk app

Solution;

• Log into your NETGEAR R6300 router
• Join your NETGEAR R6300 router’s default Wi-Fi network on your mobile device. The default network details are on the label at the back of your router.

• Try re-installing your router one more time and look into the issues displayed
• For a Wi-Fi off issue, press the Wi-Fi on/off button and check on the LED lights
• Connect your devices to your main home network and then try using the app again

Once you have completed all of these steps, you should be able to freely and easily install your NETGEAR R6300 router.

FAQs

Will my NETGEAR R6300 router be compatible with 802.1.1 a/b/g/n?

Yes it will. The NETGEAR R6300 Wi-Fi router is backward compatible with legacy standards that are similar to the one it uses.

What is the point of having the latest firmware on my NETGEAR R6300 Wi-Fi router?

The latest firmware update is important for your NETGEAR R6300 router because it can help increase the functionality, performance and stability of your network. Also, it is significant in helping you repair connectivity issues on your router.

The post Solved: NETGEAR R6300 Problems Troubleshooting Guide appeared first on Techprojournal.