Powerline - devices "cant get IP"

energizer123 · 25 Jul 2020 at 11:32

Hoping someone can help, it's driving me crazy.

I upgraded my broadband (first mistake) which required a new router. Now all my powerline adapters (except for the one connected to the PC) are unable to get an IP. They all fail DNS'ing. I've tried factory resets of them all. Resetting the router. Any ideas what would cause this or how to fix?

Thanks,

Matt

Avalon · 25 Jul 2020 at 12:34

Perhaps tell us which adapters you have, the ISP supplied router is also relevant. Have you connected one of them to the new router? Checked the cable of that device/swapped it out? Loaded the manufacturers tool to see they are using the same key etc? Generally for all it’s faults, power line is largely plug and play.

bremen1874 · 25 Jul 2020 at 20:41

Powerline adapters don't have IPs unless they also do wireless. In that case, the IP is only for wireless management.

WJA96 · 27 Jul 2020 at 05:33

I read it and assumed the OP meant any clients attached to the power lines were not getting an IP address/DNS server from the new router over the power line adapters.

We definitely need more information.

bremen1874 · 27 Jul 2020 at 10:05

He almost certainly was. I either misread the thread title, or it has since been changed for clarity.

energizer123 · 27 Jul 2020 at 10:51

Sorry guys for lack of info.

Absolutely correct, the devices connected are not able to obtain IP's. Prior to changing the hub it all worked perfectly.

They are TP Link powerline adapters. All three greens lights are on each adapter which should indicate they are working.

I've tried switching cables. Replugging etc. moving them around. Tried a factory reset but not sure it worked. Any ideas of what else i should try?

Thanks again.

bremen1874 · 27 Jul 2020 at 10:54

Have you installed the management software so you can see what's going on?

energizer123 · 27 Jul 2020 at 10:56

For the Powerline adapters or the router?

bremen1874 · 27 Jul 2020 at 10:57

For the adapters. There's usually software that allows you to see the connection speeds, update firmware, set encryption keys, etc.

energizer123 · 27 Jul 2020 at 10:58

I will get it on now. Anything i should be looking for specifically?

bremen1874 · 27 Jul 2020 at 10:59

The main thing is to ensure that all of the adapters are there and talking to each other.

And to also check there aren't any rouge adapters connected. If you don't set them up correctly it is possible to cross connect with your neigbour's Powerline adpaters which can cause no end of complications.

energizer123 · 27 Jul 2020 at 11:06

Ok, some progress it appears only 1 set are showing. Sepeeds of 616/219 between them.

When i did the virtual logon previously (yesterday) I could see them all. Now software installed only showing 2. Is it best to add device through the software?

energizer123 · 27 Jul 2020 at 11:12

it's fixed it! I reallty thought i tried this through the virtual software. Really appreciate it.

Now my next mystery. I had 150 mb sky fibre installed. I was getting 149 mb day one through the powerline now it's gone down to 60 mb. When I plug in directly to the router 50 percent of time it's 149 mb and the other time it's 30 mb. This is back to back tests. Sky say it's 150 mb entering my house? Any ideas what to try?

bremen1874 · 27 Jul 2020 at 11:14

Divide those speeds in the software by three to get a more realistic actually throughput.

They show the physical throughput not the TCP/IP throughput after all of the overheads have been taken into account.

energizer123 · 27 Jul 2020 at 11:19

The interesting thing is using the same powerline I was getting the full 149 mb download on speedcheck consistently. Now it's dropped to 30mb. It's the same when I plug directly into the router. 30% of time 149 mb rest of time 30 mb.

bremen1874 · 27 Jul 2020 at 11:29

Welcome to the wonderful world of Powerline adapters.

Installing network cables is a much faster and more reliable solution if you can manage it.

energizer123 · 27 Jul 2020 at 11:39

The bizzare thing is that it was working perfectly. The same issue also happens when i do plug directly into the router via ethernet. Sky are looking into. It was perfect for 24 hours. May be a more complex issue.

Sparx · 27 Jul 2020 at 11:43

150Mb with Sky Fibre? That must be a G.fast product surely? I don't think Sky are selling Full Fibre (FTTP) yet are they?

From what I've heard the tech for it hasn't worked all that smoothly and is rather sketchy on some lines. So could be fluctuating due to the less than perfected G.fast tech.

Edit: Quick Google finds Sky started a FTTP pilot last month for new customers in existing FTTP areas, so guess it's possible.

energizer123 · 27 Jul 2020 at 11:54

Yep, it's Gfast. From install it was flawless. Next day terrible. Sky detect no faults on their end, it's been passsed to a more technical team. Guess it sounds like something they need to solve on their end.

the-evaluator · 27 Jul 2020 at 12:45

Welcome to the world of G.Fast.

What sync rate does the router report? How are you doing your speed test? Speed test sites can be a bit iffy but at 150Mbps I'd expect the majority of them to cope. Try grabbing a test file from this website and see what results you get. That site gives me consistent results for my 900Mbps FTTP connection.