Does Plusnet block content?

[#1]

For a while now, I have been unable to view some videos on Twitter/X whilst using Brave browser on my iPad (I get a thumbnail with a spinning loading animation) and has assumed that there was an issue with the browser but then tried Safari on the iPad and got the same problem. So, I tried Brave, Safari, Firefox, Chrome and Opera on my Mac; same problem. I tried my iPhone - same. So I wondered if it might be Apple related and then tried a pocket Windows PC I keep for when anything is not Mac compatible and the problem persisted. I tried my two Android based televisions - both the same. Maybe it is something geo-blocked? I tried using a VPN - exactly the same.

These videos obviously work for some people, even UK based people, because there are comments on the videos.

Finally, I tried using the mobile data on my iPhone which is Smarty (piggy-backs on 3) and the video plays.

I have to conclude that it looks like Plusnet are blocking some content for some reason. Admittedly, the video in this link might be questionable for some viewers but as I said, it is only some videos which won't play and many in the past have looked quite innocuous (though I haven't actually seen them to judge). I have been through all the settings on my router (BT Business Smart Hub) and apart from the firewall which I tested, can't see anything to configure that might make a difference.

So, does Plusnet block content?

Can any Plusnet broadband customers see this video?

https://twitter.com/AnonymeCitoyen/status/1690772543139889154

[#2]

The video in your link works perfectly for me using my Plusnet connection.

.

[#3]

Well, that has blown my theory out of the water.

I can't understand why it won't play via any device connected to my Plusnet broadband Wi-Fi yet plays via mobile data.

[#4]

Is your router using Plusnet DNS settings ? (which might be blocking some content)

If so, try Google DNS  8.8.8.8  and  Cloudflare DNS  1.1.1.1 

as UK content blocking laws don't apply to non-ISP DNS providers !

.

[#5]

Due to persistent connection problems, I followed some advice on here and bought a BT Business Smart Hub 2 which seems to have fixed the connection problem - I have not had an issue since - but there does not seem to be a way to change the DNS settings on the router.

[#6]

I tried setting the DNS to manual on the iPad which, as far as I am aware, should override the DNS settings on the router but this hasn't helped.

[#7]

Okay, well, I now have a Plusnet Hub 2 on which it appears to be possible to manually set the DNS Server:

Advanced settings > My network > IPVv4 configuration

I changed the settings to manual (Auto off): primary 1.1.1.1 secondary 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare). However, the DNS seem to be fixed to 212.159.6.9 and 212.159.6.9 at:

Advanced settings > Broadband > Internet

I also tried 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google) and in both cases the DNS server addresses propagated to my devices (their DNS servers settings were set to automatic) but the linked Twitter video still will not play.

Annoying.

[#8]

The DNS that you have set is what the DHCP server on the Hub2 gives out.  I don't think you can change what the Hub2 uses internally, which is what you are seeing on Advanced settings > Broadband > Internet.  I don't think it would make any difference to what the devices see (ie they would be assigned the Cloudflare ones you've put in the DNS settings), except (possibly) if you manually set the DNS on a device to use 192.168.1.254 (or any other DNS for that matter).

[#9]

Well, to confirm the settings, here are screen grabs from my iPad's DNS settings for the Wi-Fi network (they are set per network) and the Hub 2 settings.

[#10]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Is your router using Plusnet DNS settings ? (which might be blocking some content)

If so, try Google DNS  8.8.8.8  and  Cloudflare DNS  1.1.1.1 

as UK content blocking laws don't apply to non-ISP DNS providers !

.

---

I am using the default Plusnet DNS servers on a Plusnet Hub 2 router and can see the video.

[#11]

I've tried both Google and Cloudflare - please see previous posts and screenshots.

[#12]

@flamesong - Bit of head scratching from here to. I'm not aware of us blocking sites and content outside of safe of safeguard and for sure, a VPN would eliminate that. I notice the DHCP IP range of the Plusnet router starts 192.168.1.64. I don't think that is standard so have you set that yourself and if so why. No interrogation intended. I'm just curious to what the 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.63 is being used for?

[#13]

@James30 The range of 192.168.1.64 - 192.168.1.253 is the default on the Hub2 (and the Hub1 if I remember correctly).

[#14]

Another thought on this, do you know where the videos play from?  Could it have been coming from a host that was blocking your IP address?  Assuming that you aren't on a static IP then that could have changed when you changed hubs.  The dynamic addresses are fairly sticky so any reboots could result in the same IP address assigned again, but not guaranteed.

[#15]

Just out of curiosity, those that can see the video are you logging into twitter ?