MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out

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MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
2020-05-29 13:09:21
Model: TL-MR6400  
Hardware Version: V4
Firmware Version: 1.12.0 0.9.1 v0001.0 Build 190730 RC.59984n

Bought this router 7 months ago and it's been working fine untill today. 

I've bee  using it with an unlimited data sim card from Smarty (Three network) its connected to my PC via ethernet cable and I have 3 wifi devices that also connect.

 

it was working fine untill out of the blue I found that quite often, but not always webpages wont load and any game I try to play is unable to connect to its server.

It seems every 2 or 3 mins the connection drops out and I'm unable to load a web page (webpage times out) 

 

According to the router it reports it's still connected to 4g and has 75% signal during the drop outs.

 

Smarty sim works fine when I use it in a mobile phone. Even used my mobile as a USB tether to the PC with the Smarty SIM and internet connection would work fine on the PC, although the mobile can only get H+ signal whereas the MR6400 has an outdoor antenna so can receive 4g.

 

I've also tried my O2 SIM from my mobile in the router and it works fine on my PC and wifi devices. 

It's just not happy when the smarty SIM is used in the router even though absolutely nothing has changed and it was all working fine untill today. 

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#1
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9 Reply
Re:MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
2020-06-07 14:40:24

@JoshVDH 

I have the same problem. Started around 2-3 weeks ago.  I have the MR600.

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#2
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Re:MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
2020-06-07 15:35:27

@rebrooks 

 

What mobile network are you with?

 

Think I've come to the conclusion that it is a problem with smarty (Three).

They seem to be having a problem with their 4g and 3g networks all over the country. Lots of people complaining on Three's Twitter account. Something to do with the DNS routing.?

I've decided to change network providers, mainly after contacting smarty for support and how rude the customer service were basically telling me its my problem and blaming poor signal in my area (which isn't true)

 

New sim is yet to arrive (gone with Vodafone) so I haven't tested it in the mr6400. But considering the mr6400 works fine with my o2 sim from my mobile phone, I can assume it was the three network that was causing the drop outs. 

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#3
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Re:MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
2020-06-07 15:37:41

@JoshVDH 

Yes it's Smarty. Hmm.  Maybe there are two problems?  Three/Smarty *and* the router...

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#4
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Re:MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
2020-06-07 16:48:08

Remember that Three/Smarty is the only 4G provider not using CGNAT. Particularly relevant if you want to play online games. 

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#5
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Re:MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
2020-06-07 19:59:49

@dgr1 not sure what CGNAT is or what implicationthat has, sorry my knowledge on network systems isn't the best. 

 

I have been using smarty sim in the mr6400 for a past 6 or 7 months though without any problems. 

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#6
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Re:MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
2020-06-08 05:39:43

@JoshVDH No problem. Carrier grade network address translation (CGNAT) is used by EE, O2 and Vodafone on their 4G services. It is linked to the lack of IPv4 addresses, and CGNAT allows the providers to share these amongst users. Three do not use CGNAT (at present!) and Smarty use Three's network.

 

On a games consoles, if you run a network test you will see that NAT type is reported. I have a PS4 (reports NAT type 2) and a Switch (reports NAT type B) which are both fine for online games. To be clear, if you don't play multiplayer online, none of this is a problem.

 

Whichever network you try, I suggest you run a connection test to see your NAT type.

 

I get better speeds from EE and Vodafone where I live, but am with Three for this very reason. My kids would not be happy if they couldn't play Minecraft with their friends!

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#7
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Re:MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
2020-06-08 15:27:10

And it appears that Smarty also fail to give you a unique IP, so Three is your only option in this regard. 

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#8
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Re:MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
2020-06-09 08:13:19

@dgr1 yep, got my Vodafone Sim yesterday and now understand what your saying! Loaded up a PC game and found my NAT type was 'strict' (nat type 3) slightly annoying but I've found using a VPN is a way around it. Using it give me a type 2 NAT (moderate) Currently using a 7 day free trial to see how it goes. Not entirely sure I want to pay an additional £7 a month for a VPN though. 

 

 

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#9
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Re:MR6400 4G/3G dropping out frequently, web pages time out
2020-06-09 15:13:08 - last edited 2020-06-09 15:13:27

@JoshVDH Yes, it is very annoying and something you only find out about once you have a SIM card and find you get good speeds..... and then realise gaming doesn't work! You will be ok if the VPN doesn't impact your speed too much. And some VPN services have quotas, so watch out for that too.

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#10
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