Most mesh routers work fine with major ISPs. CenturyLink DSL is a different story.
It’s not that eero and CenturyLink don’t get along. They do. The issue is that CenturyLink DSL uses a protocol called PPPoE to authenticate your connection, and if you don’t know about it, you’ll plug everything in, watch eero spin for a few minutes, and get nothing.
That’s what trips most people up.
This guide covers whether eero works with CenturyLink DSL, how to set it up the right way, and how to fix the most common problems people run into. If you’re dealing with eero with Spectrum, eero with Xfinity, or eero with Optimum, the steps are a bit different since those ISPs don’t require PPPoE. With CenturyLink, this one extra step is the key to everything.
Does eero Work with CenturyLink DSL?
Yes. eero works with CenturyLink DSL.
eero is designed to be compatible with most major ISPs, including CenturyLink, and it handles DSL connections well once it’s set up correctly.
The catch is PPPoE. CenturyLink DSL uses PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) to verify your connection before giving you internet access. That means your router needs to handle PPPoE login, not just plug in and go.
If you have an eero 6 or newer, you’re in luck.
eero added native PPPoE support in eeroOS 6.6.1 (app version 6.13.0 or later), so you can configure it directly in the app.
If you’re on an older model, you’ll need a workaround. We’ll cover both.
What You Need Before You Start
Before touching any cables, make sure you have these four things ready.
A DSL modem.
eero is a router, not a modem. You cannot plug a DSL phone line directly into eero. You need a separate DSL modem, either the one CenturyLink provided or a compatible third-party model. If CenturyLink gave you a combo modem/router unit, that counts.
An Ethernet cable.
You’ll run this from the modem’s LAN port to the WAN port on your eero gateway node.
Your PPPoE credentials.
This is the login eero uses to authenticate with CenturyLink.
It’s a username and password, separate from your regular CenturyLink account login.
Here’s where to find them:
How to Set Up eero with CenturyLink DSL: The Simple Path
eero 6 and newer models support PPPoE natively, so setup is straightforward. Connect your DSL modem to the phone line, plug an Ethernet cable from the modem into your eero gateway, open the eero app, and configure PPPoE under Advanced Settings. The whole process takes about 15 minutes.
Here’s the step-by-step:
- Connect your DSL modem to the phone line as normal.
- Run an Ethernet cable from the modem’s LAN port to the WAN port on your eero gateway node.
- Power everything on and wait for the modem to fully connect (usually 1–2 minutes).
- Open the eero app on your phone.
- Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → ISP Settings.
- Tap Connection Type and select PPPoE.
- Enter your PPPoE username and password.
- Set the MTU to 1492. CenturyLink DSL connections use PPPoE, which requires an MTU of 1492 rather than the standard 1500.
- Save and let eero reconnect.
That’s it.
Your eero should pull an IP address from CenturyLink and come online within a minute or two.
What to Do If You Have an Older eero Model
Older eero models (anything before eero 6) don’t support PPPoE natively. That means your CenturyLink modem has to handle the PPPoE authentication instead. You have two options: put the modem into bridge mode, or use the DMZ workaround. Both remove the double NAT problem and let eero act as your main router.
Option 1: Transparent bridge mode
This is the cleaner long-term setup. You’re telling your CenturyLink modem to stop acting as a router and just pass the internet connection through to eero.
- Log into your modem’s admin console (usually at
192.168.0.1). - Go to Advanced Setup → WAN Settings.
- Under ISP Protocol, select Transparent Bridging.
- Set Transport Mode to Untagged.
- Click Apply and wait for the modem to restart.
- Connect your eero gateway to LAN port 1 on the modem.
- Power on your eero. It should pick up the connection directly.
Note: not all CenturyLink modem models support true bridge mode cleanly. If yours doesn’t cooperate, use Option 2.
Option 2: DMZ (Advanced DMZ)
This is the easier workaround. Instead of bridging, you tell the CenturyLink modem to forward the public IP address directly to eero. The result is nearly the same as bridge mode for most home users.
- Log into your modem admin console.
- Find the DMZ or Advanced DMZ settings (usually under Firewall or Advanced).
- Set the DMZ host to your eero gateway’s IP address.
- Save and restart.
eero’s community forums confirm this works well when transparent bridging causes issues. Your eero gets the public IP, handles all routing, and you’re no longer in double NAT.
What Is Double NAT and Does It Matter?
Double NAT happens when two devices on your network are both acting as routers. With CenturyLink, it occurs when your combo modem/router is still routing traffic AND eero is routing it again. The result: your devices are behind two layers of NAT instead of one.
For most people, double NAT is invisible.
Streaming, browsing, and even video calls work fine.
Where it becomes a real problem:
eero’s own documentation recommends putting your modem in bridge mode to eliminate double NAT entirely. That’s the cleanest fix. If you can’t bridge your modem, DMZ gets you most of the way there.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
eero won’t connect after setup
Check your PPPoE credentials first. One wrong character in the password will block the whole connection. Also confirm that if you’re on an older eero, the CenturyLink modem is actually in bridge mode and not still routing traffic. You can verify by going to eero’s app → Network → and checking that eero shows a public IP address (not a 192.168.x.x address from the modem).
Slow speeds
If your CenturyLink modem/router combo is still broadcasting its own WiFi alongside eero, you’ve got two networks competing. Log into the modem admin console and disable its wireless radios. Let eero handle all the WiFi. This is a common fix that makes a noticeable difference.
eero keeps disconnecting
This is usually a PPPoE session timeout or an unstable DSL line. If the disconnections are frequent, check that your PPPoE credentials are saved correctly in the eero app, and ask CenturyLink to check the line quality. If the problem persists after the connection is stable, see our guide on why eero keeps disconnecting for deeper fixes.
Wired devices not getting internet
If you’ve got devices plugged directly into eero via Ethernet and they’re not getting a connection, the fix is usually the same as above: verify bridge mode is active and eero is the one handing out IP addresses. We’ve got a full walkthrough for eero wired connection issues if you need it.
Wrap Up
eero and CenturyLink DSL work well together. The setup is straightforward once you know about PPPoE.
If you have an eero 6 or newer, configure PPPoE directly in the app, set the MTU to 1492, and you’re done.
If you’re on an older eero, put your CenturyLink modem into bridge mode or use the DMZ workaround. Either option clears the double NAT issue and lets eero handle your network properly.
One thing worth considering: if you’re still running an older eero model, native PPPoE support alone is a solid reason to upgrade. If you’re on the fence, our breakdown of whether upgrading your eero is worth it can help you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eero work with CenturyLink fiber too?
Yes. eero works with CenturyLink fiber as well as DSL. Fiber setups are often simpler since they typically use DHCP rather than PPPoE. Some CenturyLink fiber connections require VLAN tagging (VLAN ID 201). The eero 6 and newer support VLAN tagging alongside PPPoE, so check with CenturyLink whether your specific fiber plan requires it.
Can I plug my DSL line directly into eero?
No. eero is a router, not a modem. DSL requires a modem to convert the phone line signal into an Ethernet signal that eero can use. You’ll always need a DSL modem between the wall and your eero gateway, whether it’s the one CenturyLink provided or a compatible third-party model.
What are my PPPoE credentials and where do I find them?
Your PPPoE credentials are a username and password that CenturyLink uses to authenticate your DSL connection. They’re different from your CenturyLink account login. Check the label on the back of your modem, log into your CenturyLink account online, or access your modem’s admin console under Advanced Setup → WAN Settings. If you can’t find them, call CenturyLink support and they’ll provide them.
Do I need to call CenturyLink to use eero?
Usually not. As long as you have your PPPoE credentials, you can set everything up yourself. The only time you’d need to call is if you can’t find your PPPoE password, or if you want CenturyLink to check the DSL line quality when troubleshooting a persistent connection issue.
Does eero support VLAN tagging for CenturyLink?
Yes, but only on eero 6 models and newer running eeroOS 6.6.1 or later. VLAN tagging is more commonly required for CenturyLink fiber than DSL, but some DSL setups may need it too. You can configure VLAN tagging alongside PPPoE in the eero app under Advanced Settings → ISP Settings.
