Sites only load when using VPN

[#1]

As the title says - there are a number of (legitimate) sites that either load very slowly or not at all, unless I'm using a VPN, when they load instantly.

Is PlusNet blocking IP addresses?

Again, these are not dodgy sites but perfectly legitimate sites, both e-commerce and others - for example my pension provider's website.  Also mobile apps like Amazon.

It seems more noticeable on a mobile device than on a PC but that may be because I spend more time on the phone than on the PC.

It seems to affect all the devices in my home - they all connect wirelessly.

For a site that doesn't load, I now know that the fix is to try it again with VPN engaged, when it will most likely load immediately.  But why?

TIA

[#2]

@gcbmendham In answer to your 'is Plusnet blocking sites?' query - no they aren't, the only ones they do are those they are legally compelled to.

When you say sites don't load, do you get any notification that they are blocked, or do they just not load at all?

[#3]

Hi @jab1 , thanks for your quick response.  You made me realise that I should have collected some more specific info before posting

I can say that in Chrome on my Android phone, the most common error is the "Site took too long to respond" message.  I guess that points to a connection that times out rather than being blocked.  It's just odd that it loads quickly as soon as I switch on my free vpn app.

In the Amazon app, again on Android, it often goes to the generic "Uh-oh something went wrong" page, complete with cute dog picture.  Again, resolved once vpn is on.

It's reassuring to hear you say that they don't block sites but prior to being with PlusNet I was with BT for a couple of years and didn't have any of these issues.

[#4]

I know many people appear to be relying on phones only these days, for reasons I can't fathom, but do you have a desktop/laptop to compare performance with?

The errors you are reporting, whilst rather generic and sometimes misleading/incorrect, point more towards the requested site than your connection.

As an aside, being with PN or BT is a bit irrelevant, especially now that PN is merely a BT Consumer Group 'brand', although they do, AFAIK - not being a PN customer any more - still have their own data centres, but the core trunking is still over the same network,

[#5]

I'm not sure that the reliance on mobiles is that hard to understand. As someone who is recently retired and no longer chained to the laptop, it's great being able to get out and about but still carry the internet in my pocket

From memory, I think the error in chrome on a laptop/desktop is the same as on mobile.
I take your point about them using the same data network.

[#6]

Well, I'm retired, but still use the laptop way more than my phone or tablet (both Apple) when at home - much easier to read and operate, but I take your point when out and about.

Has this problem just started recently, or has it been on-going for some time?

[#7]

It has been happening for a while - probably more than 6 months. I've just put up with it for a long time and tbh it's not a huge issue for me as I have a workaround. It annoys my wife more than it does me :d

[#8]

Very strange, but as no-one else has complained of this, it suggests that this is something unique to you. Are you on a static or dynamic IP?

[#9]

@gcbmendham  Are you using Plusnets standard DNS servers  212.159.6.9 and 212.159.6.10  ?

[#10]

Dynamic. Agreed it does seem to be a local problem otherwise there would be loads more people complaining

[#11]

Hi @Champnet. It doesn't seem to make much difference. I did try using the Google DNS servers but had the same issues. I'm now back on the PlusNet DNS.

[#12]

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@gcbmendham wrote:
Dynamic. Agreed it does seem to be a local problem otherwise there would be loads more people complaining

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Out of interest, and probably a wild goose chase, but where does this site: https://www.iplocation.net/ip-lookup say your IP is located?

[#13]

Region is UK, specific location is pretty accurate - to within a few miles

[#14]

OK, so it isn't an IP location issue - didn't think it was, to be honest, but I can't explain it.

Maybe @Champnet has some different thoughts?

[#15]

@gcbmendham  A VPN will allocate a different external IP address so it's worth checking if the Plusnet IP is partially blacklisted  https://mxtoolbox.com/blacklists.aspx