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WIFI Router forcing me to sign-in
I just moved and having a difficult time setting up my WIFI. I have it hooked up from my cable modem to my router to my computer. Everything appears to working fine... internet is working on my computer. When I go to connect my cell phone to the WIFI (using router defaults), I get a pop-up saying "sign in to WI-FI network." When I click that it says, "sign in to NETGEARXX" and then it tries to redirect to https://activate.spectrum.net. It hangs up trying to connect to that and my phone never connects to the wifi. I have Spectrum internet, but I am not sure why they have anything to do with this netgear router and the WIFI network. How would Spectrum know and force a redirect to sign-in? I have tried rebooting each thing several time. Please help!
Well, I got WIFI working but I am still not sure what was happening. My phone was finally able to connect to the activate.spectrum web page through my cellular network. It took a while because it was trying to connect through the WIFI network. On that page, I had to enter my account information (phone number and zip code associated with Spectrum). The Obee modem came up as hardware I needed to activate. I activated it and everything worked! This is really bizarre since the Obee modem was already activated and I was accessing internet through it without any problems. Once I activated it on one wireless device, WIFI worked on all devices (I didn't need to activate on each device).
I'm not sure how but it seems like Spectrum is doing something goofy to force people to buy WIFI though them. I'm just surprised their is not more information on the internet about it.
18 Replies
Sure sounds like you have a Spectrum Modem/Router? What is the modem/router model number? Do you know if it is bridged?
Your description "When I go to connect my cell phone to the WIFI (using router defaults), I get a pop-up saying "sign in to WI-FI network." When I click that it says, "sign in to NETGEARXX" and then it tries to redirect to https://activate.spectrum.net. It hangs up " doesn't make a lot of sense to me which is why I think the above.
What exactly did you do at this time, "When I go to connect my cell phone to the WIFI (using router defaults)"? Normally I'd think you try to select an SSID? Did you select one of the default SSID's on the bottom label of the router or something else? Wondering if the Modem/Router you got from Spectrum is a Netgear?
Is "sign in to NETGEARXX" the actual SSID or did you use XX instead of the number which is normally used?
What do you mean here, "then it tries to redirect to https://activate.spectrum.net. It hangs up "? How do you know it redirects? Were you using a browser on the Phone? If so, what did you enter for the URL? Hang up? Explain?
How about stating the Router Model and firmware it is running as well?
Thanks for the reply!
The Spectrum Modem is an Ubee model DVW32CB. I don't know if it is bridged. There is a WIFI router built into the Spectrum modem, but Spectrum wanted to charge me for it monthly. That is why I bought the NetGear router, and it was working well at my old place. I thought maybe the router broker from the move so I bought a new one. Both are giving me the same problem.
Yes, I select the SSID for this Netgear router (xx replaced with the actual number default) it asks for the password. I enter it (the default). It connects and then says, "sign-in to network". When I select that it says "sign in to NETGEARXX". Below that the web address pops up for spectrum. There is a load bar which makes it about 3/4 of the way then stops. The rest of the screen is blank and nothing happens. There is a dropdown menu with 2 options: (1) do not connect to this network (2) use this network as is. Neither option helps me connect.
The Netgear router is AC1200 model R6120. I am not sure what the firmware is but it updated when I plugged it in and stated firmwear is up to date. Thank you so much to the help!
bzhayes wrote:The Spectrum Modem is an Ubee model DVW32CB. I don't know if it is bridged. There is a WIFI router built into the Spectrum modem, but Spectrum wanted to charge me for it monthly.
I've got Spectrum and if you are NOT paying the Wireless charge, it isn't on your account and the modem/router will not turn it on. Another check would be if you see an SSID from the modem/router. If you only see NETGEARxxx then you are probably OK, although the phone could see other local SSID's as well.
bzhayes wrote:Yes, I select the SSID for this Netgear router (xx replaced with the actual number default) it asks for the password. I enter it (the default).
Default would be on the lower label on the router, is that what you used (I assumed during setup you never changed it?)?
bzhayes wrote:It connects and then says, "sign-in to network". When I select that it says "sign in to NETGEARXX". Below that the web address pops up for spectrum. There is a load bar which makes it about 3/4 of the way then stops. The rest of the screen is blank and nothing happens.
Do not understand this? So you are prompted TWICE to sign-in to the network?
Let me be clear in what I think you did:
- Your phone needs to connect to Wifi.
- You open the Wifi settings and select an SSID that you know to be your router's SSID.
- You enter that SSID's passphrase.
- The you see "sign-in to network"?
Can you post a screenshot of this and what happens next? If you are already signed in AND connected, what is this showing on?
Wondering if something is being held within the phone? Have you tried FORGETTING the SSID and then trying to connect again?
Reads like a non-activated (or not allowed) cable modem - there is no reason why the Netgear router should (or could!) redirect you to the activation.spectrum.net
https://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/connecting-your-own-modem-your-computer?redirected=true
schumaku wrote:Reads like a non-activated (or not allowed) cable modem - there is no reason why the Netgear router should (or could!) redirect you to the activation.spectrum.net
https://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/connecting-your-own-modem-your-computer?redirected=true
Kurt, I thought the same thing at first.
However OP stated this, "I have it hooked up from my cable modem to my router to my computer. Everything appears to working fine... internet is working on my computer."
That would imply the modem is authorized. When I've had spectrum switch out modems or I exchange them at a store they will not work/connect to the Internet until I called to have them autorized. Only way to get the Internet to work.
OP did come back with the modem/router modem and its SSID's even if it were broadcasting would not be NETGEARXXX.
Going to Spectrum's URL makes no sense, but I have no clue how the OP saw this or when (on what screen)?
Since OP can get to the Internet off the modem/router with a PC I'm also wondering if OP had full capability? Hint was 'moved'? Could the modem/router have been left there? No in service? But if that was the case (and I have heard of Spectrum not turning off service) the modem/router had no clue who was using wired or wireless?
Something doesn't add up?
Hard to say from over here in Switzerland ... what would happen in case Spectrum does see many MAC addresses if e.g. the Netgear router would operate in AP mode on a modem?
