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Recently, the Actiontec router (MI424WR) I purchased from Verizon some time ago has been providing poor wireless for my laptop. After working with tech support, I've come to the conclusion that the router is toast and cannot be fixed. Instead of renting or purchasing a sub-par Verizon router, I want to use a third-party router. I've done some research and think I understand the process (e.g., the steps located at https://forums.verizon.com/t5/Fios-Internet/Using-your-own-router-with-Verizon-FiOS/td-p/851632 and https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Your-Own-Router-With-Verizon-FiOS). I do have some questions that I hope someone here can clarify. FYI, I have both Internet (50/50) and TV and a coaxial cable is connected to the Actiontec.
TIA!
Solved! Go to Correct Answer
I do exactly what you are trying to accomplish. First thing you want to do is get the new router connected and make sure you're online. Do your DHCP release on your Actiontec then immediately take the ethernet WAN and connect it to your new router's WAN. I have found the set-top box work better on the 192.168.1.1 subnet. I would recommend configuring your new router with that same subnet.
Next reconfigure your Actiontec before you connect it to your new router. Change your Actiontec to 192.168.1.2 and disable the DHCP server. I personally connect LAN of my router to the LAN of the Verizon router. But I have seen it done both ways. And that is really it. Reboot you set-top boxes and verify you have Guide and OnDemand.
If you use a MoCA adapter instead it's even easier. Just connect it to the coax from the Actiontec and connect the ethernet to the LAN of you new router.
Check out this:
https://www.dslreports.com/faq/14077
If you use your own router with Verizon set-top boxes, you'll encounter these issues:
In short, if you're the type of person who doesn't mind figuring out networking problems and adjusting router configs, you should be fine without a Verizon router (unless you need to activate FiOS ONE boxes). If you want everything to "just work" and be able to call Verizon for help, stick with a Verizon router.
The newest WiFi-6 Verizon router sells for $299. The previous router, the dual-band G1100, can be found used online for well under $100. It's a decent router, although the WiFi range is less then the old single-band Actiontecs. Verizon will support it. If you buy a used one, make sure the seller has a fair return policy in case of any issues.
Good Luck.
Thanks for the response. My current contract expires at the end of October and I'm getting rid of TV then. So I only need STB access for the next few months (and I don't have a TV One box). I'm thinking of going the route of using the existing Actiontec as a MoCA adapter and plugging it into the new router (to avoid the expense of purchasing a dedicated MoCA adapter, which I would use for only a few months). Any known issues in using this method?
I want to avoid purchasing a sub-par Verizon router (even a used/refurbished one). Any suggestions on what to look for in a good router?
I do exactly what you are trying to accomplish. First thing you want to do is get the new router connected and make sure you're online. Do your DHCP release on your Actiontec then immediately take the ethernet WAN and connect it to your new router's WAN. I have found the set-top box work better on the 192.168.1.1 subnet. I would recommend configuring your new router with that same subnet.
Next reconfigure your Actiontec before you connect it to your new router. Change your Actiontec to 192.168.1.2 and disable the DHCP server. I personally connect LAN of my router to the LAN of the Verizon router. But I have seen it done both ways. And that is really it. Reboot you set-top boxes and verify you have Guide and OnDemand.
If you use a MoCA adapter instead it's even easier. Just connect it to the coax from the Actiontec and connect the ethernet to the LAN of you new router.
Thanks for the info! Do I change the new router's subnet directly after connecting the Ethernet cable to the new router's WAN port? When should I change the subnet on the old Verizon router? Am I able to do this after releasing the DHCP and unplugging the old router?
The new router might already have the subnet of 192.168.1.1 so you might not have to change it at all. After you connect the new router to the ethernet WAN and go through the setup you can configure the router's subnet, wifi info and such.
The Actiontec you can configure as soon as you are done getting the new router configured. When you are setting it up just connect it with a laptop or computer and nothing else. Don't connect it to the new router until after you reconfigure it.
Thanks for the responses. Apologies for the follow-ups/subsequent questions, but I want to make sure that I have the steps down correctly. So....
Do I understand this correctly?
Also, once Verizon enables the Ethernet port, I'm assuming the coaxial port is still enabled, right?
Finally, any suggestions on specs for a router?
Thanks again!
No problem at all. I been using my own router for a while now. Both with a Verizon router and currently with just a MoCA adapter.
Looks good to me. One thing I did forget to mention is turn of the Verizon router's wifi. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks again for all the help. Really appreciate it!
I've been looking at the setting for the Actiontec router (MI424WR) and don't see where to change the IP address from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.2. Am I just dense or will it become obvious once I complete all the previous steps? Will this be a static IP address?
Just want to get my ducks in a row before I embark on this effort.
Wait...is this it?
Click on My Network > Network Connections > Full Status > Network (Home/Office) > Settings. For Internet Protocol, select "Use the Following IP Address" and enter 192.168.1.2 for the IP address. Leave Subnet Mask as is (currently 255.255.255.0).