VPN problem

[#1]

A had a problem with my VPN disappearing from my setup which is two routers in piggy back my plusnet supplied unit along with a dedicated ddwrt configured unit on which my vpn was installed, this allowed me to switch between the two, all this worked perfectly for a number of years. eventually after much testing and checking and online research everything pointed towards my ISP blocking my vpn. My online research and question asking informed me that ISP,s can and do use vpn blocking.   

     I had a long phone conversation with a guy from plus tech who categorically refuted my accusation, then as if by magic the very next day my vpn network returned. Read into this what you like but the most annoying thing for me was the time I wasted trying to sort this problem out and the money I was about to spend on a new router, again much time wasted online with new router research and the placing of my order on Amazon which I later cancelled thankfull.

[#2]

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Broadband to Everything Else

[#3]

Plusnet do not block VPNs or any ports that a VPN may use.

Neither do Plusnet offer support for the use of VPNs. The support staff have little or no expertise relating to VPNs so can't advise on setup, or investigate problems using a VPN.

However, there are community members here that can often help with VPN issues if given sufficient detailed information.

[#4]

Given your description of the issue, I would enquire into if you restarted your Plusnet router between it not working then working again? If yes, then I would suspect that the VPN service had an exception over the dynamic IP address you had prior to the router being restarted.

[#5]

Since this problem occured my first action was to reboot both the routers my Plusnet suppled hub and the Asus router I use as my VPN hub this action has no affect. I then checked my vpn set up and changed the location a few times again nothing, I contacted Nord VPN services for an answer. This problem continued for 3-4 days and only affected my dedicated VPN network router which is a ddwrt flashed unit which I have been using for 5-7 years with only one other same type of hiccup.which as if by magic returned after my complaint phone call to Plusnet, now it has happend again and after a similar complaint phone call and like the same kind of magic 36 hours later my VPN network returned. If you have a better more concise answer I would appreciate it

[#6]

@longshanks67  I don't have an explanation for your problem but I can assure you with 100% certainty that your calls to Plusnet had nothing to do with the magical restoration of the VPN

Also bear in mind message #3 from @corringham  To help you sufficient detailed information is needed, you haven't supplied any.

Edit: Did Nord VPN give you any clue as to what might be wrong?

[#7]

Thanks for your reply, what more info can I give?

[#8]

@longshanks67 

When I was still with Plusnet and doing similar things, every once in a while my VPN ports would become blocked, and each time it was because Plusnet's online "Broadband Firewall" had for some reason become set to "High".  When set to "High", ports used for VPN and other useful things like Windows time keeping, would be prevented from working. The solution was to set the online firewall to "Low" (or "Off"), and then reboot my router to establish a fresh PPP session, problem solved.

This "Broadband Firewall" was a feature on older accounts, and those with static WAN IP addresses, and I'm guessing from how long ago you registered for this forum, that your account likely has/had this hidden firewall feature.  However at the time I left Plusnet, there was talk of removing the "Broadband Firewall" feature from some or all accounts, so I don't know today whether it still exists.

The Plusnet guide is here - Broadband firewall FAQ 

To check if you have this feature, login to your Plusnet 'Member Centre', then click on Connection Settings 

Is there a link for "Broadband Firewall" ? - if so follow that and ensure it is set to "Low" or "Off".

I'm wondering whether, when you asked Plusnet support for help, whether they quietly switched off this firewall, but the change didn't take effect until you later rebooted your router, or the line otherwise re-synced.

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[#9]

Many thanks for this information

I had and in depth phone conversation two days ago with a Plusnet supervisor Peter Barratt he never offered this type of information which would have helped all he would say is " we do not block VPN 's  since that conversation and as if by magic all returned too normal some 36 hours later. I had the same problem about 5-6 years ago causing me too buy a new router, an expense I could have done without only for the problem to right itself. It seems Plusnet are not honest and forth coming when we customers make a complaint like this and get this type of response.

[#10]

However at the time I left Plusnet, there was talk of removing the "Broadband Firewall" feature from some or all accounts, so I don't know today whether it still exists.

The Broadband firewall has not existed for new accounts for a year or so. I believe that for existing accounts, the ability to change the setting is now only available for accounts that previously had the firewall enabled.

[#11]

@longshanks67  is there a "Broadband Firewall" on YOUR "Member Centre" ?

.

[#12]

Hi!

Just to confirm, we do not block any VPN, as far as I am aware. I can confirm for sure that agents have no control over such thing if it even does exist somewhere.

Nothing we can do on our end can control usage of VPN's there should be no reason for it not to work apart from it being on device or software side of things.

Obviously there is always room for errors elsewhere but generally that is the case in the majority of scenarios.

Hope this clears it up, if the VPN is now working as expected great, if not then the issue is most likely elsewhere.

If there is a broadband firewall option in the member centre I'd be interested in seeing it, not something I knew existed honestly.

Thanks,

Lex

[#13]

@LexLex2020 

[#14]

@outcast,

Thanks, I'll pocket this in the brain bank.

Lex

[#15]

The "High" and some of the "Advanced Settings" do block VPNs.

whereas "Low" and "Off" always worked for my VPN usage.

As you can see from the screenshot, I always used "Low" to minimise remote port probes reaching my modem.

.