How to use Google WiFi with CenturyLink Internet (ZyXEL C3000Z, 80mbps, modem bridge)

google-wifi-setup-centurylink.md

The following instructions assumes you already have your internet set up and working with CenturyLink. This is not for CenturyLink fiber setups. The modem I'm using is the ZyXEL C3000Z which was provided by CenturyLink.

To start, connect the dsl port on the Modem/router CenturyLink device (will call it "modem") to the wall phone jack and then plug in the power cable. Also connect the Google WiFi to power. Do not connect the two devices via ethernet yet.

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Once they are both powered on, factory reset both devices. I've found this will cut down the number of problems during setup.

Reset Google Wifi: If you've previously set up a network with this device you'll need to reset the device through the Google WiFi app to get it to be removed from your list of owned networks. To do that go to the settings page (gears icon on right side), select "Network & General", select "Wifi point", and click "Factory reset." You can reset only the device by pressing and holding the button on the back the device until the lights turn completely off.

Reset CenturyLink Modem: Press the recessed reset button on the back of the modem using a toothpick or something that fits in the hole. Hold until the power button turns red.

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After the modem is reset, wait until it power cycles and then is connected to internet again (as indicated by a glowing green internet status light).

Connect a laptop or computer to the modem using the second ethernet port on the back of the modem. Once connected, open a web browser and navigate to http://192.168.0.1 (or the GUI address listed on the modem sticker). Log in using the modem username and password (also found on sticker).

Go to "Advanced Setup" and then click on "WAN Settings"

Make a note of the PPP username shown on this page. Mine looked like spe*******@centurylink.net

At this point you'll need to contact CenturyLink support via chat and as them for your PPP password. Feel free to use the question I sent to the agent in the chat session. After verifying my identity and account she very quickly responded with my PPP password.

I was wondering if you could provide to me my PPP password for my account? I have the username already "spe*******@centurylink.net" and I'm going to be bridging my modem/router to use a different router I own.

She also mentioned that when setting up the PPPoE settings on the router I might have to use "@qwest.net" instead of the "@centurylink.net" I in the modem config pages.

Armed with your PPP username and password, you can finish "bridging" your modem. Back on the "WAN Settings" page in the "ISP Protocol" dropdown, select "Transparent Bridging." You can also just leave the "Transport Mode" dropdown as "Tagged-201."

Click "Apply." Once the page refreshes you should now no longer be able to access the internet from the computer connected to the modem.

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Go into the Google WiFi app and select "Set up WiFi point" and then "Create a new Network." It will start searching for your Google WiFi device and will prompt you to scan a QR code once it's found it.

As you continue with the process it should open a screen asking for your PPPoE info. Type in your PPP username using "@qwest.net" for the ending and the password you got from CenturyLink support.

If all goes correctly, you should then be asked to name your network and choose your password. Once that's done you should be up and running!

These instructions worked with my C4000LG model as well. Thank you!

This is great. Thank you! Any thoughts on how I might go about this with a CenturyLink fiber connection?

Worked great for me. I just got CenturyLink installed today. Didn't have to reset the ZyXEL (C3000Z). I reset my 3rd WiFi point and set it up as the main unit in a new WiFi Home network before dissolving my original, then worked on the next points one at a time. Just as a note, resetting the Google points takes some time, so just be patient.

Here's a screen shot once you do advanced settings and connect first WiFi point to ZyXEL.

@thumper300zx could you explain steps in details on how you did it ?

Thanks for this! I can confirm that this works with fiber as well.

Hi have a C3000Z attached to a gigabyte fiber connection in Seattle, and this worked perfectly. Really appreciate it.

I'm now getting 400/400, which certainly beats out the 50/50 I was getting using the C3000Z as the wifi router. Hopefully, this will solve all of my Google Home / Nest products constantly dropping off the network!

You never specify when to connect the Google Wifi to the Century Link Modem. When should I do that in your process. About ready to start.

You never specify when to connect the Google Wifi to the Century Link Modem. When should I do that in your process. About ready to start.

@douglassmt Sorry about that... I believe it should be after clicking "apply" for the bridging settings in the modem and before you set up the Google Wifi in the app.

Please let me know if that works for you and I'll update the instructions.

@btsofohio does the DSL line apply to fiber? I plugged it in per instructions but can't think of a reason I actually need it for fiber.

Not sure I understand the question. What I can say is that the processes works for connecting my Google Wifi to my CenturyLink Fiber line using the C3000Z as a bridge.

I can also report that the process fixed my constant connection problems with Google Home / Nest problems. No drop off since using the mesh.

As a side note, after turning off the C3000Z wifi, I set up my new Google Wifi mesh system using the same network name and password and all of my devices (about 20 of them) were able to connect flawlessly.

Your results may vary.

Thank you Spencer for the detailed instructions. I'm not able to get past the point of entering PPPoE credentials- every time I get a prompt to restart the modem. I've played around with incorrect credentials and I get a different error message, so I think the credentials are accurate.

I'm running CenturyLink fiber with the C4000XG modem. Any other troubleshooting ideas? I'm tearing my hair out... :)

EDIT:
after talking to Google support, they are saying my modem isn't using PPPOE, but it's using DHCP and I need to ask CenturyLink to provision my modem.

I’m having same issue and doubt the provisioning issue - have 3 other routers that login w ppoe credentials just fine and have never had to reboot the modem. Was trying to help a friend out of his double NAT issue. Garage sale items now

Thank you Spencer for the detailed instructions. I'm not able to get past the point of entering PPPoE credentials- every time I get a prompt to restart the modem. I've played around with incorrect credentials and I get a different error message, so I think the credentials are accurate.

I'm running CenturyLink fiber with the C4000XG modem. Any other troubleshooting ideas? I'm tearing my hair out... :)

EDIT:
after talking to Google support, they are saying my modem isn't using PPPOE, but it's using DHCP and I need to ask CenturyLink to provision my modem.

Did you ever solve this? I had the same exact same experience and other than binning the modem and trying another one I'm out of ideas.

So, as of FEB-2022, these instructions did not work with Zytel C3000z (current firmware) and Google Nest Wifi Router. I followed the above instructions, factory reseting both devices. I got all the way through the G router configuration, I selected PPPoE and entered my credentials clicked Save and got this pop-up screen: "PPPoE failed. Please note that VLAN ID tagging is not supported."

If I understand it correctly, that is what Centurylink requires. VLAN-201.

I am operating at the edge of my technical skills and would appreciate any guidance.

@poorme3451 were you able to resolve this in anyway? Ran into the same scenario and no useful support from either CTL or Google to get past it. Google stated that my older Google Wifi only supports a few specific VLAN ID tags. On the CTL Side in transparent bridge settings, I had he option for 201, 0, or untagged. All experienced the same error in the Google setup.

@thebenkahn Were you able to resolve connecting C4000XG to the Google Router? I am in the same situation and have tried all the recommended setup with restarting, bridging, entering PPP user/pass, etc., and nothing seems to work. Any insight you have would be greatly appreciated

I just went hours round and round with this. C4000LG, DSL with CenturyLink, Google Wifi (not Nest, the older version). The adjustments I made to finally get it to work were:

Factory Reset both devices

C4000LG

• -> Advanced -> WAN Settings -> select Transient Bridging (I can't recall if 201, 0, or untagged was the selected setting when it finally worked. However, upon initial factory reset, the "Auto Select" indicated "IPoE" connection and "PTM - Untagged" in the modem connection status initially).
• Disable DHCP
• Disable NAT
• Upon final settings application, I rebooted via the web interface and unplugged my laptop from the C4000LG.
• I left my cable plugged from the Google Wifi into the second port the whole time during reboot.
• After the modem was back up with a solid green light ....

Google Wifi

• Begin setup of the new Wifi device in the Google Home app
• When trying to connect initially it failed.
• Choose the link in the bottom left of the app, I think it said "Internet settings."
• Since my connection was IPoE, instead of using PPPoE and PPP credentials from CenturyLink, mine worked just setting the WAN to DHCP.
• My Google Wifi primary router was immediately assigned an IP by the ISP through the C4000LG and everything else just worked.

I hope this helps someone else, because I spent like 7 hours on it yesterday scouring the net, on the phone with CL and Google. They were not much help.

@born2beflyin I am going to try this today as I've lost any hope to get my system to work with google wifi. Thank you for this.