topic Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network in Broadband & Landline

Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

rugsu — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:49:46 GMT

I just set up the new smart hub plus, my old Toshiba laptop can’t see it.

I understand I have to find compatible Wi-Fi in advanced sertings?

I can’t find advanced settings! If I have to log in to an IP address, can that be done on the iPhone?

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

JimM11 — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:53:53 GMT

@rugsu Web manager browser, https://192.168.1.254 will get you to the hub! If your old laptop has an Ethernet connection then use that!

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

rugsu — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:17:29 GMT

Don’t have an Ethernet cable, unfortunately.

I’ve enabled the Compatable Wi-Fi, inc 2.4ghz, but it’s still not showing up on my computer😒

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

XRaySpeX — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:50:32 GMT

Older or weaker devices may not be compatible with the default WiFi settings of EE Smart Hubs. Try setting up Compatible WiFi on the router under Advanced > Wireless Settings > Config > Compatible WiFi (it defaults to 2.4 GHz only & WPA2) & connect your problematic 2.4 GHz devices to that.

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

JimM11 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:56:44 GMT

@rugsu Very limited choices when the Old laptop will not see the SSID transmitted from the new EE Hub if that is the case.

You can either concentrate on finding out why the wifi adapter in the Toshiba will not work to do so which will be difficult as it may never be able to see the 6/7 Plus version whichever one you have, or just go get an older RE Range Extender, get that attached to the EE Hub and then the Toshiba to that adapter. It all depends on what/were you intend to have as a use.

If you have a BT/EE router/hub that was working previous then just connect it back up, unless there is a specific reason that would not work for you also. From your 2023 post see you were on a old ADSL line with low speed's or a line fault issue, if still the same connection type then you will only have the EE Smart Hub 6+ version as only two off those can connect to copper and maintain a DV Digital Voice landline.

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

rugsu — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:00:14 GMT

I’ve just looked up similar problems, and there’s sometimes a suggestion to switch the router to Wi-Fi 5, I don’t see how to do that, do you know?

but yes, I’ve just tried the old router and now that can’t connect to the internet.
I phoned EE earlier and they tried to make Compatable mode work and couldn’t. I’ll phone up again to try and see if they can make the old one go.

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

JimM11 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:48:41 GMT

@rugsu Sorry but you said this earlier in the post so has it or has not been done?

""I’ve enabled the Compatable Wi-Fi, inc 2.4ghz, but it’s still not showing up on my computer""

You just enable the feature see the ssid with the -Comp added to the name and tell the Laptop to connect to that SSID instead.

Connect your devices using Compatible WiFi | Broadband Help | EE

Use a web browser to see what and how your EE Hub is set up, https://192.168.1.254 to get that up.

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

rugsu — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:22:15 GMT

Yeah that’s been done I thought the wifi5 was something else.

EE say I can’t use the old router because it’s associated with the old account, can they not change that?

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

JimM11 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:00:53 GMT

@rugsu Let's just forget about the WiFi 4/5/6/7 at present and what is done with your particular EE Router, they all work different and is a whole subject in operation for each.....

Does the Toshiba Laptop you have see the name Transmitted at all from the EE Hub? If you answer that first then may be more fruitful but suspect that you see nothing at all no mater what, but may be wrong. Awaiting your answer.

The link below takes you to the EE Hubs, there is a 6 Plus and a 7 Plus, click the link take a look and see what you have.

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

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

rugsu — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:10:14 GMT

No the Toshiba can’t see the routers name at all, it can occasionally see “EE Wi-Fi” with no name, it can’t connect to that, and I’m unsure if that one’s mine.
it can see lots of neighbours named Wi-Fi networks

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

JimM11 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:13:27 GMT

@rugsu Your Plus is it a 6 or a 7, see the pictures if you do not know or even better, the 6 Plus is a black case, the 7 Plus is a white case!

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

rugsu — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:51:08 GMT

The black one, a 6

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

JimM11 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:59:56 GMT

@rugsu Ok, have established now you have a EE Smart Hub 6 Plus version, that operates as a WiFi 6 Hub, and from what you have said then your Toshiba Laptop is just NEVER going to connect to that hub in the slightest.....

I THINK but do not know as you do not say but will assume you were moved from the OLD EE account to the New EE account and at the same time you use a Landline phone, your OLD EE hub did NOT support that feature so they killed two birds with the one stone, sent you a Hub that allows your Landline phone to Plug into the back off the hub, or they supplied the DVA Digital Voice Adapter to let your phone be external and plug it in were you want as long as it is within the range off the Hub/DVA seeing each other.....

Going to allow you to read this then copy from earlier what was sent to you. Jim

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

XRaySpeX — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:03:17 GMT

The EE WiFi SSID is EE's public WiFi network which your router may be broadcasting if you haven't opted out of it. If its strength is much the same as your own main network's then it's you. Otherwise it's someone else in the vicinity.

Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

rugsu — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:06:22 GMT

Yes, my landline phone now plugs into the back of the new hub.

This was in the first email they sent about this.
“

The next evolution of our broadband is here. And we’ll be upgrading you to our new and improved broadband for free, so you can get access to our best service.

You’ll benefit from new features too. This includes special WiFi controls on the app that allow you to pause and control the connection on certain devices. You also get quick and easy WiFi password sharing for guests.

You’ll be sent a new Smart Hub that’ll activate all these benefits once plugged in.

We'll also upgrade you to our new Digital Home Phone service.

Don’t worry, you won’t be entered into a new contract. Most things will stay the same, however, there’ll be a few small changes. Including: