How do I put router in modem mode?

[Emily3]

Hi, I just got a NowTV 2 router. How do I turn the Wi-Fi off/put it in modem only mode?

[gavs82008]

@Emily3 

Assuming that it is possible check the settings on the router online. See the link for login information.

https://help.nowtv.com/article/improve-broadband-speed

[redchiz1]

You can't. The best you may be able to do is use Bridge mode if you intend to use another router in conjunction with it. 

[Emily3]

How would I enable bridge mode?

[RoyB]

@Emily3 

Can we go back to fundamentals?

What is it that you are trying to achieve?
What is the problem you have that you are trying to solve here?

[Emily3]

I just had NOWTV broadband installed. The property is a large bungalow with solid brick walls. The router is installed in the middle of the house but the Wi-Fi doesn’t reach to either end. It barely reaches out the room it is in. So I’m looking at setting up a mesh network across the property with TP Link. But everything I am reading is saying there is going to be a problem due to the router not being able to be put in modem mode.  So far all I can see to maybe do to solve this is put all the TP link nodes into AP mode (I don’t care about parental controls etc - just want Wi-Fi in all the rooms…) 

[Jayach]

Yes, you will need to use the mesh in AP mode.

[chilli2]

What did you have in the property before now broadband?

[Emily3]

It was my partners elderly grandparents house and they just had basic BT internet that they used on a laptop in one room only.  Obviously our needs are a bit different and we want internet across the whole property. I think a mesh solution is best but the guidance for setting it up with a ISP router is a bit overwhelming 

[Jayach]

If you are trying to replace the Now router with a mesh, yes that is confusing (if you do not understand modems/routers), however using AP (Access Point) mode should be as simple as ticking a box. What mesh do you have/are considering?

[Emily3]

Yes I think I was over complicating it for myself as all I really need is AP mode and I can keep the Now hub 2 as the router/modem. As my needs are pretty simple: I just want to spread the Wi-Fi across the whole house. It is also possible for us to connect nodes together via Ethernet cables if we want to (which I assume is a good idea?) I was looking at the TP link deco A55. Wanted to spend no more than £250 ideally and think I need 3 nodes (one master in the middle with the router, then one at either end of the property - it is a very longgggg property) 

[RoyB]

@Jayach @chilli2 @Emily3 

It looks like all these mesh solutions work best when your ISP router will obediently go into Modem Mode, or Bridge Mode, which the Now router won’t.

So one solution might be to drop the Now router altogether.

TPLink do a VDSL modem/router that goes in a mesh system, to replace the router-only one in the system you are considering:-

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/deco-x20-dsl/

But does it support MER 61?  I don’t know, but it may be worth you asking them.

If so, you could run a completely TPLink mesh system, no compromise.

[Jayach]

---

@RoyB wrote:

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/deco-x20-dsl/

But does it support MER 61?  I don’t know, but it may be worth you asking them.

---

The latest firmware for that router says it supports Sky MER.

Download for Deco X20-DSL | TP-Link United Kingdom

Can't guarantee it does, but I know some of their other routers do work.

[chilli2]

If you are thinking of bying a replacemetn for the Now router, then i would recomend that you take a look at the various manufacturers supprt sites, and forums .

 As far as i know manufacturers such as D link, Asus ( and maybe more) have models that support the log in system used by Sky and Now - and likewise some models that dont.

 I know that some TP link routers also work ( as i use one) and again some that dont-  i think the Archer VR series should work - but check with the manufacturers support site/forums first

 So you will need to do a little resarch before you buy.

To add to the possible confusion there are many consumer bits of kit that are called routers out there.

 The box provided by Now is an all in one device, it contains a router, Wifi access point, firewall a modem and possibly a few other bits as well, and by router  most people on here will mean an all in one device, There are also other devices on the market sold as routers that do not contain modems and need a modem to connect to a DSL service ie ADSL, VDSL ( sold as fibre) etc .

One other thing to check, download a signal tsting app, sucha s wifi anylyzer for android where you can see how strong the signal is , if you have another router, ir wifi access point you can test this against the now box with the signal strength app - if the other device provides a decent signal then look at replacing the now router, if it doesnt then look at a mesh system or using a homelplug set up with biult in wifi

[Emily3]

I think unfortunately changing routers etc. would be far beyond my technical ability, and Now TV offer no support in doing so. So I really need a basic "plug and play" solution. I am going over to the property on the weekend and will try the AP mode TP link nodes with the router and pray for me that works nicely!

[RoyB]

@chilli2 

Yes indeed - the first device @Emily3 mentioned was a router only. But I think such a device is surely allowed to call itself a router, and we should assume that it needs a separate modem, unless it calls itself a modem/router or perhaps a VDSL router?

Another thing I found on my travels, though, is that it has to be the router that supports MER 61, not the modem. Raising the prospect that even if the Now router could be made modem only, you would need the router that you fed from it to support MER 61.

The question that I haven’t found an answer to, though perhaps you would know; in the solution being pitched to @Emily3  to operate her mesh satellites in AP mode when used with the Now router, would there be any limitations (whether apparent to her or not)?

As there do seem to be some limitation in other configurations used to get round the limitations of the Now router, if this remains in the device chain.

[RoyB]

@Emily3 

Lovely, do keep us posted!

[Emily3]

I just wanted to update anyone reading this with what I did in the end, as it worked perfectly! I simply connected the TPLink X55 Deco as instructed via the app to the NowTV Hub 2 router and followed the set-up (all the auto settings - nothing special) to add the other two nodes in the other rooms. It is immediately working perfectly and in rooms where I previously had absolutely no internet I now have 31Mbps (the max we can get here) throughout the whole property. I am sat writing this on my laptop in the study at the end of the house where we had no internet before 🙂   I don't know if it was truly necessary but I have gone into the settings on the NowTV router and disabled all the wireless access point settings for both 2.5 and 5ghz (disabled: enable wireless access point, enable WPS, allow broadcast of name) and that's got rid of the NowTV hub from the options when selecting a wireless network on our devices. I could put the TP-Link system in AP  mode now if I wanted but as it is all working perfectly I don't see the need? 

So if anyone is a novice like me, please don't be worried to try a mesh system. Don't be daunted by all the complicated advice online

[redchiz1]

Excellent news, thanks for letting us know. And hopefully this will help others in future.  🙂