Guide - Getting the most out of your high speed Virgin Media (UPC) 240mb/s service

ED E · 20-04-2017 1:26pm

You cant cancel without paying the ECC, unless you die.

Already 4 months of 12 done. Thats ?400 outstanding. Paying half that for no service seems like a poor play to me.

Find somebody moving into a new gaff, move your account there. Your name stays on the account for the next 8 months then they cancel setup their own. Do a deal that they'll pay you a reduced rate, say 40/mo and you only have to cough up ?80.

The high horse brigade · 20-04-2017 4:27pm

Cavey wrote: »

Hey all looking for some advice.

I've been with virgin for about 5 years now and been very happy with the service. It's just broadband. In January, I entered a new 12 month contract. Circumstances have changed past week, have been made redundant and my rent is going up considerably very soon. 50 a month for broadband is absolutely out of the question for the time being. To cancel my contract would cost 200. It's still a saving over waiting out my contract to expire. Hopefully will be in a new job soon so could have it reconnected. For now, it's just not possible. Is there any way to get out without paying the 200? I'd rather not be dishonest with them as I've never had any issue with the service. Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you

I feel you are not planning this well. With a proper good broadband service there are other things you could cut costs on, like your tv bill for one. Not all broadband is the same, what you've got is very good.

k123456 · 01-05-2017 11:59am

Hi I have moved to the new 360 mb BB service from Virgin/UPC

I had been using 240 mbs with an Archer C8, and found my wifi speeds not too bad , connected to the C8
was getting 160 wifi
With the new 360 MB router conencted to the C8 , my wifi speeds have halved

I suspect I need to be in bridge or modem mode on the Virgin router, Can someone confirm please

I have two devices I would like to use with cat 6 cabling and ethernet. Am I better off cabling these to the virgin hub or the C8

For those who have the new Virgin Hub and an Archer C7, C8 or C9
Am I better using the Archer Cx or use only Virgin Hub

My preference for the network is fast wired connection (Ethernet) 2 devices and fast Wifi., 3 devices
Don't need any additional router features : guest wifi, parental controls etc

Thanks

jca · 01-05-2017 12:20pm

k123456 wrote: »

Hi I have moved to the new 360 mb BB service from Virgin/UPC

I had been using 240 mbs with an Archer C8, and found my wifi speeds not too bad , connected to the C8
was getting 160 wifi
With the new 360 MB router conencted to the C8 , my wifi speeds have halved

I suspect I need to be in bridge or modem mode on the Virgin router, Can someone confirm please

I have two devices I would like to use with cat 6 cabling and ethernet. Am I better off cabling these to the virgin hub or the C8

For those who have the new Virgin Hub and an Archer C7, C8 or C9
Am I better using the Archer Cx or use only Virgin Hub

My preference for the network is fast wired connection (Ethernet) 2 devices and fast Wifi., 3 devices
Don't need any additional router features : guest wifi, parental controls etc

Thanks

Yes you need to put the VM hub into modem mode and do everything through the C8. Modem mode is only available if Horizon free WiFi is turned off and you're on an ipv4 address. The port nearest the coax cable is the only operational Ethernet port when in modem mode.

TheDoc · 01-05-2017 5:04pm

Anyone had any issues with the C8 and the 5GHz wifi not showing on devices?

Been working fine since I bought it, turned on PC this morning and it will only connect to the 2.4G WIFI, the 5GHZ not even showing on the wifi connection list.

Plenty of messing around on the TPLink panel but cant seem to get it showing, havn't changed anything since last night when it was working fine

TheDoc · 04-05-2017 2:15pm

Take it no one else has experienced this issue?

Tried a fair bit of messing around but no joy. I'm getting by fine as thankfully this router is class, and the 2.4ghz is giving me a solid like 80mbps upstairs on my pc. Just a bit annoying as I was getting 220+ on the 5ghz one.

The wifi receiver in the PC appears fine, since I'm connecting to the 2GHZ one and can see other networks. Just so strange the 5ghz one has vanished. From my phone too, like the entire thing isn't broadcasting.

I did at a point when I first went to the panel saw that SSID had been unticked (by whom or how, no idea) so I ticked that and saved, router rebooted but still no joy.

ED E · 04-05-2017 4:58pm

Sounds like its not actually transmitting. Have you tried CH44 to ensure its not a DFS thing?

TheDoc · 04-05-2017 5:13pm

ED E wrote: »

Sounds like its not actually transmitting. Have you tried CH44 to ensure its not a DFS thing?

When you say CH is that channel?

Actually just moved the channel to auto then back to what I had. Might try fiddle with the channels more.

Yeah I'm at the point where I've kinda said to myself its not transmitting, so going through checks and steps to try make it transmit etc.

k123456 · 04-05-2017 10:27pm

You need to see if other devices can see the 5ghz band, if so the router is not the issue

Try updating firmware on the C8, see their website

Is it possible you have disable the 5ghz output , using the router Gui or the App Tether

ED E · 04-05-2017 10:33pm

Yeah.

Next stop a full reset.

TheDoc · 05-05-2017 9:23am

k123456 wrote: »

You need to see if other devices can see the 5ghz band, if so the router is not the issue

Try updating firmware on the C8, see their website

Is it possible you have disable the 5ghz output , using the router Gui or the App Tether

No other device can see the band.

At one point when I was in the admin UI, I noticed the SSID broadcast was unticked. Had done it by itself as the admin panel hadn't been accessed pretty much since I got it all originally setup.

Might do some more fiddling tonight but yeah, it looks like a ful reset over the weekend. Thankfully its not time consuming to setup

ED E · 05-05-2017 12:16pm

Its a weird behaviour that, but interestingly something the F1000 from Eir used to exhibit when a configuration was corrupt.

QikBax · 06-05-2017 2:14pm

Finally got a C9 after realising that previous TP Link i had bridged with the Cisco didn't have a gigabit port.

Getting 240mb over wifi now. Delighted.

Thanks for the guide.

mildsteel · 05-06-2017 9:43pm

How does one knock off the guest signal? i can bring up the page were it say "modify guest network" but i wont let you do anything..

TheDoc · 06-06-2017 10:27am

ED E wrote: »

Its a weird behaviour that, but interestingly something the F1000 from Eir used to exhibit when a configuration was corrupt.

Got it sorted in the end. Was like the UI on the Archer was bugging or getting cut off in Chrome.

Opened the panel in Microsoft Edge and while in Chrome the 5ghz was showing enabled and broadcasting (but it just looked pixelated) I saw in Edge 5ghz was enabled, but SSID was not set to broadcast.

All been fine since. Weird one though within Chrome. Might be something to do with the TV or something. I have the Archer downstairs and I normally mess with it via my HTPC as opposed my desktop PC upstairs.

Anyway all sorted

Still can't believe I didn't get this archer way beforehand. The improvements I've had are incredible. Moved house and the benefits carried over too thankfully. Even when I only had the 2.4Ghz, it was getting fullwhack and brilliant. But getting my entire 240mb upstairs on my desktop PC. As someone who detested Wifi for years and said I'd never use it for a gaming rig, its a pretty dramatic change for me.

Would recommend for anyone on the fence. Probably one of the best pieces of hardware I invested in my home. And this thread was brilliant for information, the setup guide was a snap.

BelovedAunt · 25-06-2017 3:52pm

Hi lads, I got the new router a while back but I'm still on the 240mb connection. Is there any benefit to setting up the C9 on the new Virgin router?

jfrmbray · 30-07-2017 2:30pm

How big is the range on the c9? I have two computers which are trying to get on the WiFi about 10 and 15 meters away. Should I just get homeplugs instead as the computers aren't going anywhere? I hear that you can get some which provide a mini WiFi hotspot too which would be handy!

I currently have the all-in-one horizon box, and am hesitant to upgrade my connection as currently only my phone supports 5ghz (but hopefully that'll change in the near future when I get a better laptop), but if the router (or hub?) that Virgin supplies is good over a distance of 15m and through loads of walls, then I'll do it. For added pain, there's absolutely zero chance of running an ethernet cable either, as the room that the horizon box is in has no attic as it's part of an extension. Anyway It's for my folks' home, and I don't think they'd be happy about drilling holes.

I'd appreciate any opinions! Mega-speeds, while nice, aren't hugely important, as currently the computer at 10 meters away gets 10meg down at its very best, but often hangs around the 2meg mark.

TheDoc · 03-09-2017 12:48pm

Guys does anyone have issues with Youtube buffering? Everything been going smooth as silk since I got my C8 but all of a sudden for about 2 weeks youtube taking an eternity to load and buffer.

Seems a common complaint among Virgin users, wondering if there is any Archer tips or tricks we can utilise to resolve?

yannakis · 17-10-2017 10:13pm

Would the Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 3 do a good job compared to the TP Link Archer C8/C9? Has anyone tried it?

ED E · 17-10-2017 10:33pm

yannakis wrote: »

Would the Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 3 do a good job compared to the TP Link Archer C8/C9? Has anyone tried it?

Not even gigabit. Might as well be pink with a suitable for 3+ label.

newbie2 · 21-10-2017 2:43pm

Hi All,

A smidgin off topic....

Using the archer c8 with my cisco for a while now and getting on great. been offered the new virgin 'home hub' thingy. My limited experience with the virgin boxes (in a short term rental) is that they're pretty good. I'm presuming i can just go with that and use my archer as an extender ? Anyone migrate from the cisco box and never looked back?

jca · 21-10-2017 3:07pm

newbie2 wrote: »

Hi All,

A smidgin off topic....

Using the archer c8 with my cisco for a while now and getting on great. been offered the new virgin 'home hub' thingy. My limited experience with the virgin boxes (in a short term rental) is that they're pretty good. I'm presuming i can just go with that and use my archer as an extender ? Anyone migrate from the cisco box and never looked back?

You can get the new hub, contact the reps here and ask them to turn off the wi free or whatever it's called, make sure you're still on an ipv4 address, put the vm hub into bridge mode and you're set.

Irish Gunner · 21-10-2017 4:13pm

Ok just got the Archer C9 and setting it up as per first post by BK

On the 240 broadband and now I have the Archer connected to the Hub via Ethernet and I am only getting 76 mb down and 25 up via WIFI. This is slower than when I did not have it connected and the wifi signal icon bars are not fully lit up. I cannot hard wire pc to check speeds

I am on the laptop and speed test done right beside the router and testing the speeds on speedtest and on the virgin media website

Is this right or do I need to change any settings? Followed the post step by step

ED E · 21-10-2017 4:20pm

Are you on the 5Ghz net?

newbie2 · 21-10-2017 4:25pm

jca wrote: »

You can get the new hub, contact the reps here and ask them to turn off the wi free or whatever it's called, make sure you're still on an ipv4 address, put the vm hub into bridge mode and you're set.

Cheers,

but the reason I was using the Archer was to get full speeds, and avoid constant drop outs from the Cisco. If this doesn't happen with the new hub, is there any need for the archer?

Again, apologies for the little bit of off-topicness....

Irish Gunner · 21-10-2017 6:44pm

ED E wrote: »

Are you on the 5Ghz net?

Doh forgot to put the aerial on the routers whoops however speed does not seem the same

Set up both a 5ghz and 2.4ghz and speeds not great on wifi and RTE player buffering a lot more than usual as I have a TP Link plug installed and linked into TV

22-10-2017 10:40am

Anyone here using a Netgear R8000 with the Cisco 3925? The Netgear reboots itself with increasing regularity.
It has a fantastic range. It's in the living room and my son in the attic room can get 240mb over Wi-Fi.

beauf · 22-10-2017 11:09am

Maybe it needs a new firmware update.

Mad looking router...

beauf · 22-10-2017 11:15am

My Media Hub constantly clashes with other networks even on auto channel. I've turned off all WiFi on it and connected up my Tplink ac750 and it's far better. The hub seems ok sometimes but eventually I end up going back to the Tplink.

Often wondered would I get better range with a more expensive router. Mine is a single core cpu also.

The high horse brigade · 22-10-2017 12:20pm

beauf wrote: »

Often wondered would I get better range with a more expensive router. Mine is a single core cpu also.

No. You are better to add a second access point on a different channel connected to your original by Ethernet covering the areas with a weak signal.
You don't need dual core router either, you are limited by your internet connection.

beauf · 22-10-2017 12:51pm

I actually bought a powerline adapter (with WiFi repeater) for the that reason just never configured it. Must do that Theres a I beam in the kitchen that seems to kill all wifi beyond it.

ED E · 22-10-2017 1:42pm

The high horse brigade wrote: »

No. You are better to add a second access point on a different channel connected to your original by Ethernet covering the areas with a weak signal.
You don't need dual core router either, you are limited by your internet connection.

NAT speeds do matter nowadays. When 100Mb and 120Mb Cable were the top packages it didnt but with 240/360 and the upper FTTH packages older units can have a max translation speed thats way too low.

BelovedAunt · 28-10-2017 10:05am

Lads when I go to 192.168.0.1 it is the Virgin initial installation page. I set up my C8 last year with the horizon box but I'm now using the new hub. I have an IPV4 address so do I just need to disable Wi-Free to set it up?

jca · 28-10-2017 2:45pm

BelovedAunt wrote: »

Lads when I go to 192.168.0.1 it is the Virgin initial installation page. I set up my C8 last year with the horizon box but I'm now using the new hub. I have an IPV4 address so do I just need to disable Wi-Free to set it up?

Yes, get Wi-free disabled, pin reset the hub and the option to select modem mode will be available in the main menu.

senordingdong · 03-11-2017 12:21am

I'm using the latest Virgin Hub (Compal CH7465LG-VM) but I'm subscribed to the 240M package.
My Netflix keeps switching to SD pixelated image quality and my iptv (dodgybox) keeps freezing and causing the whole modem to crash.

I get the feeling I'm being 'throttled' because 240 should be more than enough for what I need.
Should I buy the Archer and use bridging mode or should I get a vpn subscription?

Dandelion6 · 20-01-2018 10:12am

Would this router be any use?

ED E · 20-01-2018 10:17am

Dandelion6 wrote: »

Would this router be any use?

Im all for cheap tat on Ali but for the love of god dont buy a completely unknown quantity of a router thats going to spend a couple years protecting your devices from attack.

Dandelion6 · 20-01-2018 10:52am

ED E wrote: »

Im all for cheap tat on Ali but for the love of god dont buy a completely unknown quantity of a router thats going to spend a couple years protecting your devices from attack.

That's why I'm here asking

ED E · 21-01-2018 6:04pm

Howya folks,

Anyone who's running a bridged virgin modem that is not a Hub3.0 and is happy for me to bounce pings off whatever is behind it please get in touch.

Cheers,
ED-E

Deep Thought · 11-02-2018 5:24pm

Any recommendations for a good router these days?

HappyDaze007 · 11-02-2018 6:31pm

Deep Thought wrote: »

Any recommendations for a good router these days?

Net gear nighthawk d7000... good speeds and good WiFi distance

Deep Thought · 20-02-2018 2:47pm

so, bought an Archer C9 and set it up

On the regular frequency, am getting about 80MB download on WiFi

on the 5Ghz..am getting the full 240MB WiFi

Its some piece of kit, and the Tether App makes it even easier to use.

Shlippery · 10-09-2018 3:20pm

Deep Thought wrote: »

so, bought an Archer C9 and set it up

On the regular frequency, am getting about 80MB download on WiFi

on the 5Ghz..am getting the full 240MB WiFi

Its some piece of kit, and the Tether App makes it even easier to use.

Ah I feel like it's a bit of a bump to this thread, but it's a sticky so can't see any harm.

Would ye recommend a new router in bridge mode even if it weren't for the wifi capabilities? Most of my house is wired via ethernet, but would a different router bring more benefits from port forwarding? etc

I've a NAS setup and finding it finicky to tweak accordingly in the VM Hub interface. Just trying to see if it'd be more benefit.

beauf · 10-09-2018 3:36pm

I find the VM Routers WiFi much less robust than other routers I have. So I use another router for WiFi.

That said I couldn't get bridge mode working.
I must have another go. Because using two routers (double nat?) one behind the other seems to give performance issues with some devices.

ED E · 10-09-2018 9:39pm

beauf wrote: »

I find the VM Routers WiFi much less robust than other routers I have. So I use another router for WiFi.

That said I couldn't get bridge mode working.
I must have another go. Because using two routers (double nat?) one behind the other seems to give performance issues with some devices.

DS lite off (via customer care)
then
Factory reset the device (why this is needed is beyond me)
then
Login and bridge
then
Connect a router

beauf · 10-09-2018 11:57pm

Last time I did that I lost all internet for about 3 or 4 days.

murball · 16-10-2018 1:21pm

Hi folks.

I'm a complete novice in this area - looking for some advice on my ISP.
I'm currently with virgin for 60 a month which is increasing in the new year.

They offer 240mb but I've don multiple speed tests and its never anywhere near this.. I'm just wondering if I were to switch to a cheaper competitor who offers 100mb would I be likely to experience the same speeds (around 70-80mb) of would I more than likely experience a much slower service?

Thanks in advance

ED E · 16-10-2018 2:10pm

Depends on where you are. The 100Mb service is 7Mb at some addresses. You need to check what you'll get before considering it.

After that yeah, 50Mb is currently plenty for any average family.

beauf · 16-10-2018 2:28pm

My 240 is generally aboiut 70~80 around the house. Wifi is patchey though. I'll get 10 in one room 200 beside the router.

murball · 16-10-2018 3:42pm

ED E wrote: »

Depends on where you are. The 100Mb service is 7Mb at some addresses. You need to check what you'll get before considering it.

After that yeah, 50Mb is currently plenty for any average family.

Thanks for your answer.. Is there any way of checking the actual speed of the 100mb service before signing up for it?

Guide - Getting the most out of your high speed Virgin Media (UPC) 240mb/s service

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