Internet Configuration

[support]

In the Internet Settings page, protocol should be DHCP, not PPPoE, i.e., no need to enter Xfinity username/password. Please try:

1. On the System Settings page, click “Sync Time with Browser”.
2. On the Internet Settings page, select “DHCP client” for protocol.
2. Wipe out “Override MAC address”. This will restore the MAC address to the default.
3. Click the Save button at the bottom of the Internet Settings page.

Wait for 5 minutes and check the Status page again.

If the Internet status is still down and you want to try overriding the MAC address, take the MAC address of the computer you connected to the modem previously and put it in the “Override MAC address” box.

[Rpow]

good evening i run spectrum as my isp i got a older modem and going to update. any sugestions on what type and speeds i need b4 i connect
your new router cf xr-10 thanks

[support]

@rpow There are no minimum speed requirements to connect the router. The maximum WAN speed (Internet side) it can handle is 1Gbps.

[Rpow]

Just got my new modem set up router per passwords plug into wan unable to connect any help appreciate modem to pc is good
Unable to connect to Wi-Fi

[support]

@rpow You should be able to connect to the router WiFi even without connecting the router to your modem. Did you see the pcwrt-5g SSID on your computer? Connect your computer to the pcwrt-5g SSID and load http://192.168.10.1 in your browser.

[jpkelson]

Re: the post from Support, July 2, 2023, 4:59 p.m.: Obviously, it took me some time to get back to this project.

After taking the 4 steps you suggested, still no internet connection. Then, I entered the MAC address of the computer previously connected to the modem in the “override MAC address” box, as you suggested. BINGO! Now the router is fully operational. Thanks for your help.

[galaxysurfer]

Hi, any resolution to this issue ?

[support]

@galaxysurfer To recap, sometimes the router fails to obtain an IP address from a cable modem. Here are some ways our users have tried and worked:

• Power down both modem and router, then power up the modem first, connect and power up the router. Some users reported this working after a couple of tried.
• Clone the MAC address off of a device you know that works into the “override MAC address” box on the Internet Settings page.
• Make sure that the router’s time is correct. If needed, you can sync the router time with your browser on the System Settings page.
• Call your ISP tech support to troubleshoot. They should be able to see a new device connecting to their service when you connect the router.

[bambina]

Hi there, I have had a pcWRT Router for sometime and still trying to set it up and im so so so confused and need help please so im starting at the absolute beginning now as ive messed up so many times.

MY PROBLEM IM TRYING TO SOLVE
I have HMO Tenants and i pay for internet & i need to micro manage them their devices etc as well as be able to access the router remotely as i have cameras attached to the network of my own too yet the ISP doesn’t allow me these functions thus i bought a pcWRT router to try and solve the issues.
In addition to the above stated issues i also have massive wifi coverage issues too so need 2 or 3 routers broadcasting wifi for the tenants as there will be at least a dozen + devices on the internet at the same time yet im getting major complaints of coverage issues as the main ISP router is currently by the front door yet i do have Cat6 cable running through to the back of the property where i could easily plug in another router to the ISP router via Ethernet if wanted which may solve the coverage issues TBC if not then i would need to add another router yet again upstairs with no hard wire and i want all the same network like a mesh, hopefully all pcWRT Routers.

1. So i currently have a Modem then the ISP Router giving me Fiber Fast Broadband (145mbps), in ideal world i would love to just throw away the ISP router and put in the pcWRT router in its place but i don’t know if i can even do that or should do that and if so then exactly what the config should be, does anyone know please?

2. if the answer is dont replace the ISP Router then my next question is; can i just plug in the pcWRT into the ISP Router and if so then what config do i need to give the pcWRT to ensure it works seamlessly as a mesh and also allows me to remotely access it still and should the pcWRT router be then a router or a access point in the config?

[bambina]

just to add to my prior post, i am probably to scared of issues in replacing the ISP router as i live a long way from the property so i think i would prefer to just add pcWRT ROUTER/S LAN to WAN set up im thinking

[bambina]

is this forum dead? does anyone know how to best get tech advise about pcWRT routers or should i be using a different router make please as im confused?

[support]

@bambina Sorry for the late reply.

You can try to replace the ISP router with the pcWRT, assuming there’s an Ethernet connection from the modem. Most of the time, it’ll just work. But some ISPs have special protocols between their router and their services. In that case, the pcWRT router won’t get an IP address from the modem. You can log in the pcWRT to check. In that case, the Status page will show Internet “down”.

But connecting the pcWRT WAN to a LAN port on the ISP router should always work. Again, log in the pcWRT and check the Status page. If you connect this way, turn off WiFi on the ISP router.

With a wired connection, you can connect a second pcWRT router as an Access Point to the main pcWRT router. Checkout this guide: https://portal.pcwrt.com/blog/2024/12/07/how-to-set-up-a-second-pcwrt-router-as-an-access-point-with-vlan-support/.

When a wired connection is not possible, you can add a second pcWRT router as a mesh satellite. Checkout this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lIyd4BCsEQ

You can do both if needed.

The easiest way to set up remote control of the pcWRT is opening it up for cloud management: https://portal.pcwrt.com/forums/topic/how-to-remote-control-the-pcwrt-router/. The pcWRT router remote control is more secure because it does not require an open port on the router. You can test remote control on location with your phone by turning off WiFi on the phone.

[Author]

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