Problems with Teltonika RUT950 4G router

[Dr Bob]

An update on my 4G router – the teltonika RUT 950.

This router is being used by some on here for connection to the internet and I have been very positive in the past about this unit being good. My unit is now 4 years old and has worked well but I am now suffering significant problems. The main issue is that when the unit drops connection, it is not restoring the connection properly when turned off and on from the wall. After a power off, the unit connects to the EE system but at a very low signal strength (ie -90dB). It can stay at this signal strength for hours which then proves an issue when streaming. If however you reboot the unit from the software menu via computer, most of the time (but not all) the initial low signal last for minutes before 'connecting properly' and getting a strong signal (ie -57dB). The number of 'drop outs' is now also increasing and I am finding that I need to power off/reboot circa twice per day.

I talked this through with my son who had the same unit for a remote piece of kit in work and he informs me he had the same problems last year and replaced the unit. He said he had heard of many similar issues. I've ordered a different router

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B016ZWXYXG?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

and will report back.

Since having the RUT950, I've always suffered with getting good connections with my '3' sim despite often showing good signal strength. I wonder if this is a similar issue? Anywho, I wont be recommending this unit again. I suppose 4 years isnt bad, unless it was the routers problem that my '3' sim was never very useful.

[Hudds Lad]

16 minutes ago, Dr Bob said:

An update on my 4G router – the teltonika RUT 950.

This router is being used by some on here for connection to the internet and I have been very positive in the past about this unit being good. My unit is now 4 years old and has worked well but I am now suffering significant problems. The main issue is that when the unit drops connection, it is not restoring the connection properly when turned off and on from the wall. After a power off, the unit connects to the EE system but at a very low signal strength (ie -90dB). It can stay at this signal strength for hours which then proves an issue when streaming. If however you reboot the unit from the software menu via computer, most of the time (but not all) the initial low signal last for minutes before 'connecting properly' and getting a strong signal (ie -57dB). The number of 'drop outs' is now also increasing and I am finding that I need to power off/reboot circa twice per day.

I talked this through with my son who had the same unit for a remote piece of kit in work and he informs me he had the same problems last year and replaced the unit. He said he had heard of many similar issues. I've ordered a different router

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B016ZWXYXG?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

and will report back.

Since having the RUT950, I've always suffered with getting good connections with my '3' sim despite often showing good signal strength. I wonder if this is a similar issue? Anywho, I wont be recommending this unit again. I suppose 4 years isnt bad, unless it was the routers problem that my '3' sim was never very useful.

 

did you look for a firmware update? or try a factory reset?

 

i'll give you a fiver for it  

[Idle Days]

Good luck with the change of router, I look forward to reading about your experience with it. 

 

Out of interest what external aerial to you intend using with it?

[GUMPY]

2 hours ago, Dr Bob said:

I've ordered a different router

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B016ZWXYXG?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

and will report back.

When looking for routers I had the bigger brother to that one and it was crap.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Archer-MR600-Wireless-Supports-Warranty/dp/B08N5CHH2Z

 

Max data rate was about 25mbs, slower than the Huawei B525 at 30mbs and we are less than 1/4mile from the tower.

The Huawei B535 gave about 50mbs and the Huawei B818 gives me 65/70mbs so you can guess which one I got. None of these however are dual SIM I just swap the SIM as needed.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Huawei-B818-263-Mobile-Router-Card-White/dp/B08FF37HWM

 

Edited February 9, 2021 by Loddon

[Idle Days]

Interesting!  I have a Huawei B535 fitted with plastic paddle aerials which has given up to 98mbps down loading, but generally about half that. I have no idea where the local mast is. 

[cuthound]

I dont think it is a coincidence that these problems started once he got a composting toilet... ?

[GUMPY]

21 minutes ago, Idle Days said:

Interesting!  I have a Huawei B535 fitted with plastic paddle aerials which has given up to 98mbps down loading, but generally about half that. I have no idea where the local mast is. 

I suspect you are sitting on top of the mast!

https://www.cellmapper.net/map?

Will tell you just put your location/address into the location box on the left. if you are not with "3" you will have to change supplier at the top.

[Dr Bob]

2 hours ago, Hudds Lad said:

did you look for a firmware update? or try a factory reset?

No. I was reluctant as there are a lot of custom settings to priorities certain connected devices. Given problems on other units, I will try this new one which has been proven by my son to be better.

 

1 hour ago, Idle Days said:

Out of interest what external aerial to you intend using with it?

Its the poynting one

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/poynting-4g-xpol-a0001-cross-polarised-4g-omni-lte-antenna~c8436~p6626085/?exta=bingsh&lid=28723362&stat=eyJpcCI6IjExMS4wNiIsImRwIjowLCJsaWQiOiIyODcyMzM2MiIsInMiOiI2IiwidCI6MTYxMjg1NDM4OSwiYm1jIjoiMS4wIn0=&exta=bingsh&msclkid=632b6c93eda01723e3a70cb142a576d4&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(GB: SAD) Electronics & Technology&utm_term=4574999168860281&utm_content=(GB: SAD) Electronics & Technology - 20

10 minutes ago, cuthound said:

I dont think it is a coincidence that these problems started once he got a composting toilet... ?

I think it fits more with the ecofan going round faster with the increase in fuel on the fire.

39 minutes ago, Loddon said:

When looking for routers I had the bigger brother to that one and it was crap.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Archer-MR600-Wireless-Supports-Warranty/dp/B08N5CHH2Z

Ah, that is not good news.

They look rather expensive, the new model is £170.

I'll try its little brother as it is working well for my son.

[Hudds Lad]

2 minutes ago, Dr Bob said:

No. I was reluctant as there are a lot of custom settings to priorities certain connected devices. Given problems on other units, I will try this new one which has been proven by my son to be better

 

you can usually backup settings, you're going to have to re-do them on the new one anyway, shirley?

 

all that money you've saved by pooping in bags has obviously left you with some cash burning a hole in your scrubs  

my offer of a fiver still stands ?

[matty40s]

36 minutes ago, Dr Bob said:

No. I was reluctant as there are a lot of custom settings to priorities certain connected devices. Given problems on other units, I will try this new one which has been proven by my son to be better.

 

Its the poynting one

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/poynting-4g-xpol-a0001-cross-polarised-4g-omni-lte-antenna~c8436~p6626085/?exta=bingsh&lid=28723362&stat=eyJpcCI6IjExMS4wNiIsImRwIjowLCJsaWQiOiIyODcyMzM2MiIsInMiOiI2IiwidCI6MTYxMjg1NDM4OSwiYm1jIjoiMS4wIn0=&exta=bingsh&msclkid=632b6c93eda01723e3a70cb142a576d4&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(GB: SAD) Electronics & Technology&utm_term=4574999168860281&utm_content=(GB: SAD) Electronics & Technology - 20

I think it fits more with the ecofan going round faster with the increase in fuel on the fire.

Ah, that is not good news.

They look rather expensive, the new model is £170.

I'll try its little brother as it is working well for my son.

Shop around, that aerial can be had for about £60

[Dr Bob]

33 minutes ago, Hudds Lad said:

 

you can usually backup settings, you're going to have to re-do them on the new one anyway, shirley?

 

?

I've got  a feeling that the 3 sim problems I have been getting over the years are down to the Rut950 so that is the main reason for not trusting it now. The new router is only £70. If it works on the 3 sim then i'll be glad to see the back of this one.

[cheesegas]

Does it have a 4 pin power plug or a DC barrel jack? The new versions have the 4 pin plug and have a different RF modem inside - they swapped from Huawei to Qualcomm, and the Huawei modem had a habit of locking the LTE band after it lost the tower. If the nearest tower happened to be on a different band than the modem locked itself to, the modem wouldn't be able to use it and would hunt for the next nearest one on that band which could be much further away.

 

Have you updated the firmware?

[Dr Bob]

33 minutes ago, cheesegas said:

Does it have a 4 pin power plug or a DC barrel jack? The new versions have the 4 pin plug and have a different RF modem inside - they swapped from Huawei to Qualcomm, and the Huawei modem had a habit of locking the LTE band after it lost the tower. If the nearest tower happened to be on a different band than the modem locked itself to, the modem wouldn't be able to use it and would hunt for the next nearest one on that band which could be much further away.

 

Have you updated the firmware?

It's the 4 pin one.

No, not updated the firmware.

Any input on how to do this?

[cheesegas]

Just now, Dr Bob said:

It's the 4 pin one.

No, not updated the firmware.

Any input on how to do this?

 

That's good, hopefully a firmware update will sort it - 

 

Download here:

https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUT950_Firmware_Downloads

 

Think on the 950 on the web interface it's under Firmware and then Upgrade button at the bottom. Make sure you're on shore power or have full batteries as it'll kill the router if it turns off mid upgrade.

 

This will also reset all settings. You can back them up and restore, but I'd advise not to in case the issue lies there. You'll need to change the wireless network name etc back to what they were before the upgrade.

 

[Dr Bob]

4 hours ago, cheesegas said:

 

That's good, hopefully a firmware update will sort it - 

 

Download here:

https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUT950_Firmware_Downloads

 

Think on the 950 on the web interface it's under Firmware and then Upgrade button at the bottom. Make sure you're on shore power or have full batteries as it'll kill the router if it turns off mid upgrade.

 

This will also reset all settings. You can back them up and restore, but I'd advise not to in case the issue lies there. You'll need to change the wireless network name etc back to what they were before the upgrade.

 

Ok, ta.

Thanks for the info. I'll get the new router in place and then have a go at this.

[Idle Days]

On 09/02/2021 at 15:50, Loddon said:

I suspect you are sitting on top of the mast!

https://www.cellmapper.net/map?

Will tell you just put your location/address into the location box on the left. if you are not with "3" you will have to change supplier at the top.

That's a very useful website, thank you. I've used it to identify my mast, which is about a mile away and in sight.  

[GUMPY]

23 minutes ago, Idle Days said:

That's a very useful website, thank you. I've used it to identify my mast, which is about a mile away and in sight.  

If you have an Android device you can connect to your router there is an app 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.thecoder.huactrl

That will give you the signal strength and channel number and lots more detail about the signal, some of which is available direct from the router web page  but not all.

It will also allow you to lock on to a particular band so if band 1 is better than band 3 you can prevent it going on 3. 

[Martin Nicholas]

Latest FW is: RUT9XX_R_00.06.07.5.

It's reassuring the the device is still supported after all this time. Obviously Teltonika hasn't caught with modern business practice.