Huawei B818-263 WhatsApp Problem

[kestrel4]

Just installed a Huawei B818-263, with an EE Sim, to replace a D-Link DWR-921.
It works well, improving download speeds to 100-200 Mpbs (previously 15-40) with 4G.
But connection of WhatsApp calls between some phones is now impossible. The receiving phone rings but, when answered, no connection can be established. It happens consistently between most pairs of phones but not between some others. It happens with calls via third party routers but my tests were between a variety of different phones (Apple and Android) connected to the same B818 router. I did a factory reset and checked firmware, with no effect.
I reinstalled my D-Link DWR-921 and the problem disappeared. But it came back when I again installed the Huawei B818-263. I have logged this on the Huawei support site.
Has anybody got any ideas because I have run out of them?
I am happy to enter correspondence via this Forum or directly because, not only do I not want to have wasted £200 but the speed of this Huawei device is so impressive. Also, I have a fear that whatever is causing this WhatsApp problem may affect other apps.
So...all help and guidance very gratefully received.

 

[The Wee Bear]

Hi kestrel 4,

Maybe pop a post in the mobile broadband forum too, plenty users of 4G routers in there that may be able to advise.

Mobile Broadband Forum

Best of luck.

 

[CarlO1460]

Just installed a Huawei B818-263, with an EE Sim, to replace a D-Link DWR-921.
It works well, improving download speeds to 100-200 Mpbs (previously 15-40) with 4G.
But connection of WhatsApp calls between some phones is now impossible. The receiving phone rings but, when answered, no connection can be established. It happens consistently between most pairs of phones but not between some others. It happens with calls via third party routers but my tests were between a variety of different phones (Apple and Android) connected to the same B818 router. I did a factory reset and checked firmware, with no effect.
I reinstalled my D-Link DWR-921 and the problem disappeared. But it came back when I again installed the Huawei B818-263. I have logged this on the Huawei support site.
Has anybody got any ideas because I have run out of them?
I am happy to enter correspondence via this Forum or directly because, not only do I not want to have wasted £200 but the speed of this Huawei device is so impressive. Also, I have a fear that whatever is causing this WhatsApp problem may affect other apps.
So...all help and guidance very gratefully received.

Assuming you’re calling phones at other connected locations, not all off the same router/connection?

 

[TTJJ]

Try disabling IPv6 - that issue has cropped up a few times.

Create a new APN in the router settings and choose IPv4 only, APN 'everywhere' - nothing else required.

EE have got a weird IPv6 set up on their network where IPv6 is preferred over IPv4 and existing IPv4 addresses get translated into a an IPv6 address.

WhatsApp may have IPv6 servers but not support voice calls over them and then you run into errors.

 

[kestrel4]

Hi kestrel 4,

Maybe pop a post in the mobile broadband forum too, plenty users of 4G routers in there that may be able to advise.

Mobile Broadband Forum

Best of luck.

Thanks, I am trying to do that

 

[kestrel4]

Assuming you’re calling phones at other connected locations, not all off the same router/connection?

Both. First detected the problem with calls to and from other locations; then did a lot of testing of different phones through same B818 router

 

[kestrel4]

Try disabling IPv6 - that issue has cropped up a few times.

Create a new APN in the router settings and choose IPv4 only, APN 'everywhere' - nothing else required.

EE have got a weird IPv6 set up on their network where IPv6 is preferred over IPv4 and existing IPv4 addresses get translated into a an IPv6 address.

WhatsApp may have IPv6 servers but not support voice calls over them and then you run into errors.

That sounds promising! I will try it. Thanks

 

[Buggerlugz]

Are you using a CGNAT APN?

 

[kommando828]

All EE apn's are CGNAT.

 

[Buggerlugz]

Could try it with a three sim on the 3internet APN........ just to rule it out being a CGNAT issue?

 

[TTJJ]

Could try it with a three sim on the 3internet APN........ just to rule it out being a CGNAT issue?

It’s not a CGNAT issue, it’s almost definitely an IPv6 issue. Try the steps I mentioned above.

A Three sim will also resolve it but you’ll have significantly lower speeds.

 

[kestrel4]

Thanks, Guys,
I tried all the fixes without success and sent it back after discovering it was an Australian import to the UK. It was really fast and I miss it! Replaced it with a steady-but-reliable TP-Link Archer MR200 with less than half the real-life speed. The Huawei B818-273 is no longer on the Huawei UK website and I suspect all the offers on it are imports, even at £250! If I spend that sort of money, I need more confidence that it is bulletproof.