Correcting WE826 Issues by Starting Anew

[JimHelms]

I constructed this plan for another member who made numerous mistakes during the build process of a WE826—both with the router firmware and the MC7455 configuration.

I would first recommend you carefully go though every step in the TROUBLESHOOTING guide to help eliminate the common issues that can and will effect connection issues.

When mistakes are made, and issues occur, many times it pays to start anew. This will assure the configurations are correct and will assist others to help troubleshoot various issues.

The steps below should be followed in the order as presented.

Download the latest version the WiFiX or GoldenOrb firmware for the WE826 to your PC. It will be used later in the process.

Before going through the steps below, it is important to MAKE SURE:

• The U.FL connectors are properly seated on the MC7455 modem’s MAIN and AUX antenna ports.

• The U.FL connectors are positioned in such a way that the metal portion of the U.FL connectors are not touching the top metal edge of the MC7455 modem.

• The U.FL connector is not touching the GPS modem connector port.

Main and Aux Ports.jpg

Correct the U.FL connectors as necessary.


If a SIM Card is installed in the router, unplug power from the router, and remove the SIM Card.

Power up the router and login to the user interface.

Go to MODEM > CONNECTION PROFILE > CONNECTION MONITORING and DISABLE. SAVE & APPLY.


RESTORE the MC7455 to OEM status. This is erase all configurations and will return the modem to its original state.

Go to MODEM > MISCELLANEOUS > AT-COMMAND TERMINAL and issue the following commands (one at a time, waiting for a reply before issuing the next):

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at!entercnd="A710"
AT!RMARESET=1
at!reset

NOTE: Resetting the Modem to OEM Status may remove any firmware updates that have been installed since the modem was configured by the manufacturer. This may require reflashing the firmware once again if it was previously updated.

Now that the modem is restored, re-flash the router with the fresh WiFiX/GoldenOrb firmware image.

IMPORTANT: The firmware upgrade should be done using an Ethernet cable from the LAN port on the router to the PC network card and NOT over WiFi.

Go to SYSTEM > BACKUP / FLASH FIRMWARE > FLASH NEW FIRMWARE IMAGE and BROWSE to the fresh GoldenOrb image.

IMPORTANT: Before flashing the firmware, MAKE SURE the KEEP SETTINGS box is NOT CHECKED.

Reflashing Firmware.png

DO NOT navigate away from the browser web page during the flashing process. Be patient and allow three to five minutes for the firmware upgrade to complete.

After the firmware flashing is complete, log back into the WiFiX/GoldenOrb user interface at 192.168.1.1

NOTE: It may be necessary to clear the browser cache if any issue is experienced with accessing the login screen. This can normally be done by placing your mouse pointer to the top of the web browser and hitting the CTRL and F5 keys at the same time.

The login user name is root and leave the password blank (no password is required on this build of GoldenOrb ):

NOTE: The WiFi SSID is broadcasted as rooter and the WiFi default password is rooter2017

Once logged into the router:

Go to MODEM > CONNECTION PROFILE > GENERAL > APN and:

• Type in broadband as the APN (if using AT&T)

• Set the AUTHENTICATION PROTOCOL to NONE.

• SAVE & APPLY

Go to SYSTEM > SYSTEM > GENERAL SETTINGS and Click on SYNC WITH BROWSER and set TIMEZONE to your timezone. SAVE & APPLY.

Go to SYSTEM > ADMINISTRATION > ROUTER PASSWORD and set your router login password. SAVE & APPLY.

Depending on the type of plan the SIM Card is provisioned for (i.e., if it has limited hotspot data) it may be beneficial to use custom TTL settings.

Go to NETWORK > FIREWALL > CUSTOM TTL SETTINGS (at top of page) > SETTINGS and ENABLE. Set TTL VALUE to 65 (or 64). SAVE & APPLY.

NOTE: It appears TTL of 65 (because of the pre and post routing) work across the board of carriers. If the data usage is still appearing in the carrier’s account as hotspot data usage, try TTL 64. Most data only plans do not require use of the custom TTL rules.

Unplug power from the router.

Insert your SIM card into the router. Note, be sure the SIM card is fitting properly into the SIM Card adapter—not loose but not too tight. The tits/tabs on all 4 sides of the SIM card should be removed via emery board or sand paper.

Power up the router and login using your new password.

Give it a couple of minutes to configure and stabilize and you it should connect with internet service.

NOTE: You will find it useful (and informative) to watch the connection process in live-time at MODEM > DEBUG INFORMATION AT-COMMAND EXECUTION.

Once an internet connection is established, and since the MC7455 was restored to OEM status, the modem will be operating in QMI composition.

Running a MC7455 (or other modem) in QMI mode has only been possible with the later kernel builds of GoldenOrb. Some users prefer QMI while others prefer operating the modem in MBIM.

The decision to use MBIM over QMI is often determined by whether your SIM Card and data plan is capable of obtaining an IPV6 address for the internet connection. QMI currently (or at least on this GoldenOrb version) does not handle IPV6 on specific carriers—which may NOT be available with any particular cellular data plan.

I would suggest you test the build in QMI mode before trying MBIM. QMI will work for most applications.

ADVANCED MODEM SETTINGS

For those who wish to test MBIM composition on the MC7455 (NOTE the EM75XX modems are different) go to MODEM > MISCELLANEOUS > AT-COMMAND TERMINAL and run the following commands (one command at a time, waiting for a response before issuing the next):

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at!entercnd="A710"
at!usbcomp=1,1,1009
at!reset

The AT Commands for the EM7465/EM7511 are slightly different:

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at!entercnd="A710"
at!usbcomp=1,3,1009
at!reset

NOTE: The first command “….A710” is the authorization, the second is for MBIM, and the third applies the commands and reboots the modem.

NOTE: When changing a modem to MBIM mode, and while certainly not required, I personally like manually programming most other commands (i.e., IPV4V6 APN, enabling IPV6, and locking to LTE service only):

MC7455:

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at!entercnd="A710"
at!usbcomp=1,1,1009
at+cgdcont=1,"ipv4v6","broadband"
At!custom="IPV6ENABLE",1
at!selrat=06
at!reset

EM7565/EM7511

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at!entercnd="A710"
at!usbcomp=1,3,1009
at+cgdcont=1,"ipv4v6","broadband"
At!custom="IPV6ENABLE",1
at!selrat=06
at!reset

To return the MC7455 to QMI mode:

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at!entercnd="A710"
at!usbcomp=1,1,10D
at!reset

To return the EM75XX to QMI mode:

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at!entercnd="A710"
at!usbcomp=1,3,10D
at!reset

If these steps were followed, it is now a matter of process of elimination to pin point issues. If a problem still persist, the next step is to examine the strength and quality of the cellular signals at your router.

This is accomplished by running the command:

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AT!GSTATUS?

IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE WITH AN ISSUE, please submit a separate topic FULLY DETAILING the issue (and the steps you've taken) in the QUESTIONS and SUPPORT section.

[dottmary84]

Thanks !