Unable to change DNS as APPLY button vanished

[jujuburi]

Hi all. I have been using airtel xstream broadband for about couple of years now. They provided me with a router called ZyXEL PMG5617-R20B. Everything was fine up until now. I was using Google's DNS as both my primary and secondary. But just few days ago I started noticing that some websites wouldn't open. And many times the internet was really slow.

So last night i logged in into the router web interface and see that it's reverted to airtel dns. And the APPLY button has vanished next to custom dns field. So I can't change back to google's or anything else either. I'm sure a firmware update did this, and most probably on purpose too, but question is, how can i use custom dns with this router now?


Source

Thanks.

 

[LonerPrime]

I went through the exact same issue in detail in my thread here:

Zyxel PMG5617-R20B: Struggling with DNS

Hi everyone, Long time reader, first time poster here. Foremost, thanks for having me. Some context first: I've been on Airtel XStream fibre for some few years now. Last April, they updated the cabling network near me and then paid a visit to my home informing me that my original Huwaei router...

broadband.forum

While I never really got any replies, I ended up figuring out why I had the issue and what the solution was. Hope it helps you save time and either make peace with what airtel has decided is good for you or say "Yea to hell with that", and fix the problem yourself.

 

[Smh]

Long term reliable option is to use your own router. Airtel has started updating and blocking users from changing any settings.

For now you have to manually set the DNS on your mobile and pc devices.

 

[jujuburi]

@LonerPrime thanks. I just read your posts. So you enabled bridge mode and now using your own router. Good to know. Now a question here, must I contact these airtel guys to have the bridge mode enabled? Or can i do that on my own? Because I am very impatient and cannot tolerate idiots and their parroting. And one more thing, if i make a hard reset from the router itself, is there any chance of the firmware reverting to factory default thus restoring that Apply button?

 

[TJ10]

Resetting will not take you back to the older firmware unfortunately.

 

[Smh]

you can also connect your router without bridge mode, it will create double NAT but thats not an issue for every application. Try it, later you can ask for enabling bridge mode.

Turn off wifi on airtel router or disconnect all devices from its wifi.

 

[LonerPrime]

@jujuburi Unfortunately, Airtel locked advanced settings for most routers down, as far as I'm aware, by pushing firmwares that automatically get installed on each device restart. And like RJ10 pointed out, firmwares don't get forgotten on factory resets in this situation. Some folks do talk about jail breaking their routers with custom firmwares, but I've neither personal experience with this, nor would I recommend it.

Unfortunately again, you need to get in touch with Airtel NOC to have them enable bridge mode on their router's port(mine was LAN4). Until then, any efforts to take control of your IP settings is going to be a non starter.

If you feel disinclined to tolerate the babble of a visiting tech or 121 customer care executives, I advise you to instead do the following:

1. Send an email to net@airtel.com.
2. Clearly state your request for bridge mode and specify that they inform you on what LAN port the bridge mode has been enabled on.
3. Mention your DSL ID as well as preferred/registered phone number.

This will go directly to NOC team and you should be getting a call from them within a few hours(or some days). If not, use the email as reference and CC to Airtel's Nodal officer as well. Also side note, shut down any push for static IPs. They are not needed for bridge mode.

 

[jujuburi]

@LonerPrime Thanks. I'll send them an email. Could you suggest a decent router? I mean not the expensive ones. I leave them on 24x7 and range should be good.

 

[LonerPrime]

Please define expensive. Everyone has different expectations of the term. My own personal that I bought is the TP-Link AX10. I got it from my local shop for 2600 bucks which I consider a bit pricey. But for its features, it was worth the cost keeping future proofing in mind.

 

[jujuburi]

@LonerPrime sorry for replying late but i did email them to enable bridge mode, and after a little drama like half a dozen phone calls of trying to push me towards static ip they eventually enabled it. Now I've connected my very old Netgear router WNR1000v4 and internet is working fine. But, been downloading a few torrents, and the same files which always used to give me almost full speed of my connection, i.e. 4.5 MBps download on my 40 mbps connection, have been reduced notably to less than 3 MBps. This is on lan. I don't know what the hell is going on.