Octopus Overlords

My Tivos just told me they haven't connected in over a week. A week ago I changed my router - so I'm thinking that's where things fell apart.

I'm using the Netgear AC1750.

The TIVO message says it cannot find a DHCP server. I am connecting the Tivo via powerline to the router. I actually have 2 Tivos connected that way. The Tivos can see each other. When I plug my desktop computer into the powerline that connects to the router, the desktop stays online - so all the boxes are working. The one thing I don't know how to test is if the Tivo powerlines still see the router powerline (and hence the router) - but I presume they do as this all worked with the old router.

I went into the router settings and "Use router as DHCP server" is checked. All my other devices connect without an issue. I don't have anything on the blocked lists.

Any ideas? I don't know what else to try.

Okay, so I thought I'd try putting the Router Powerline in place of the Downstairs Tivo Powerline and see if it could still see the Kids Room Tivo. Before the switch, the Downstairs Tivo could see the Kids Room Tivo.

So I switched it and lost the Kids Room Tivo. Then I put it back to how it was originally, and I still lost the Kids Room Tivo. What the heck is going on? My desktop is sitting next to the Router Powerline, so I plugged the desktop into the Router Powerline (rather than directly into the router) and I still have internet access - so the powerline is working from one ethernet port to another. This is very odd. It's not like I rewired my house in the last 8 days...and the Tivos could see each other right up until I tried swapping powerlines. I rebooted the Tivo and still nothing.

I might have figured it out. There is a Sync button on the WD Livewire powerline adapters that it says has to be pressed for less than 3 seconds and within 2 minutes for all adapters. I must have unplugged the Router powerline when I installed the new router. I just hit all the Sync buttons and rebooted the Downstairs Tivo - the Tivo now got past the DHCP error. I'm trying to connect to the servers now. The Tivo is still missing the Kids Room Tivo, but I was trying to run quietly as everyone is asleep and may not have done it in time. If we can get the Downstairs to at least phone home, I can work on the rest tomorrow.

The Downstairs Tivo is in the Loading phase (connected, downloaded, and disconnected) - so I'm calling that a win. Stupid Sync buttons! (I'm trying to put Sync and WD Livewire in a bunch of times so the next time it happens and I search for issues, I'll find this. )

Glad we could help

You're very good listeners.

my kind of help desk tickets

This happened again - I think it was because we power cycled the router. Anyway, I followed my instructions above and it still didn't work. Turns out I also had to power cycle the powerline adapter connected to the router. Once I did that, it was all good (technically, I swapped the adapter connected to the router with the one connected to one of the TVs thinking if it was bad, one TV would see the router and the other wouldn't, but they both saw it so I'm guessing it was the power cycling that made the difference).

I write this so I will remember next time.

Saved me again old self. You'd think I'd print out a troubleshooting guide at this point...

And again. I always remember the Sync button but forget to power cycle the adapters after rebooting the router. No idea why i have this mental block.

It's gotten to the point where I tried to put the adapter on a remote on/off switch so I can power-cycle it without being physically there.