topic Re: Site blocks not working for some websites in Broadband & Landline

Site blocks not working for some websites

callumadavis — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:22:45 GMT

So I'm trying to read the news less and have used the WiFi blacklist to do so. I've added a bunch of news sites to the blacklist for a group that includes my laptop.

Unfortunately, the block seems to just not work for certain sites. Specifically www.telegraph.co.uk and politicshome.com.

I don't know if EE ever reads these messages, but it would be good if someone could look into why the site blocking function doesn't work on these specific websites.

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

JimM11 — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:32:51 GMT

@callumadavis You would be best to call EE CS about your request and have it looked at.

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

bobpullen — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:21:39 GMT

@callumadavis - what broadband hub do you have as that dictates what parental control system you're using?

How are you entering the website addresses? e.g. in the case of the telegraph address, I would suggest omitting the 'www.' bit so it catches the whole domain name and not just the www address.

PS. If it's one of EE's newer hubs you're using, then you needn't create a dedicated group for the blacklisting. You can add blocked sites to the default group instead and the rules will be applied across your entire network.

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

callumadavis — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:36:57 GMT

I've tried both the www. version and the version without, it doesn't work either way.

I've created different groups because I don't want the rules applied across the entire network. But I don't think that'll help. The issue is that most websites are blocked but some (telegraph.co.uk, ft.com, politicshome.com) aren't.

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

JimM11 — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:46:02 GMT

@callumadavis The first part from @bobpullen requested ""what broadband hub do you have as that dictates what parental control system you're using?""

If you are not sure take a look at the link below.

https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/getting-started/compare-our-range-of-broadband-hubs

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

callumadavis — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:05:36 GMT

I've got the Smarthub 6 Plus.

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

JimM11 — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:30:39 GMT

@callumadavis From the link. Posted previous at the start off the thread...

Parental Controls and Security

Advanced via the EE app""

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

XRaySpeX — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:48:00 GMT

@JimM11 : That's not a link!

Post your edit: At start of thread where?

No wonder OP is confused!

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

callumadavis — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:39:35 GMT

Sorry I'm not sure I understand?

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

Northerner — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:24:52 GMT

Hi @callumadavis

What browser and devices are you trying and successfully bypassing the block.

Thanks

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

bobpullen — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:41:43 GMT

@callumadavis wrote:
I've tried both the www. version and the version without, it doesn't work either way.
I've created different groups because I don't want the rules applied across the entire network. But I don't think that'll help. The issue is that most websites are blocked but some (telegraph.co.uk, ft.com, politicshome.com) aren't.

OK, thanks.

If you're using the Plus hub then parental controls on done onboard the router and not via the EE DNS servers. Unfortunately that rules out one of the troubleshooting steps I was going to suggest.

It doesn't help your case, but I did this earlier today on my hub using the default group and found that all websites were blocked as expected - including the two you're having problems with 🤷: -

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

callumadavis — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:20:27 GMT

It's happening on my PC laptop, my macbook and my Android phone. I've tried multiple browsers on all of them.

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

callumadavis — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:06:48 GMT

So I think I've found a way around it. I've made a group with all other devices except the ones I want the blocks to be active on. That group has no restrictions. Then I'm putting all the sites I want to block on the ungrouped devices group. A bit of a bodge, but it seems to be working so far.

EDIT: This hasn't worked either. The offending sites are still accessible, even when blocked on the default group.

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

JimM11 — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:36:37 GMT

@callumadavis Have you tried the EE Hub full factory reset, then building it all back up from scratch the EE way?

When was the last time you flushed the DNS cache, would try that on one device to see what happens.

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

callumadavis — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:06:48 GMT

So I spoke to someone on the phone who (eventually) said tech support would look into it. The next day my app was down which I assume means someone at EE was trying to fix the issue. However, since then the problem persists and I haven't heard anything from anyone.

Do you know if tech support gets in touch directly with customers or if they have a ticket system or something? It seems bizarre that my issue has apparently been passed on but there's no way for me get any information about it for two weeks.

I swear the moment that Openreach expands the fibre network to my street I'm leaving for a better provider.

Re: Site blocks not working for some websites

JimM11 — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:31:59 GMT

@callumadavis You normally get an Incident number from the Guide when you are on the call, so did you get one or not, your EE account may show something, as to getting call back it may or may not transpire. Best to call back EE CS and ask the question also note down the number when you ask if it has been done.