topic Re: Windows 10 laptop won't connect to EE Router wifi in Broadband & Landline

Windows 10 laptop won't connect to EE Router wifi

OriginalBigBri — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:32:58 GMT

My Dad's EE connection is now working, his phone is working well and I have talked him through connecting his Facebook Portal to the wifi. This worked well and we had a video call last night.
Unfortunately, we couldn't get his laptop working. It's an old HP laptop (don't know the model) running Windows 10 - it sees the correct SSID, but after he's typed the password in, it fails to connect.

I understand that I may need to enable some old compatibility mode on the router. Does this sound correct?
He has nothing else he can use to connect to the router to do the job himself - doesn't have an ethernet cable to make changes from his laptop and doesn't have a smartphone.

I'm going to drive back up to Yorkshire today and try and get it sorted for his birthday tomorrow. If the router config change doesn't work, are there any other things I should check? I'll be taking my own Windows 11 laptop, and I know I can access the router config on my phone.

Thanks.

Re: Windows 10 laptop won't connect to EE Router wifi

OriginalBigBri — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:35:03 GMT

I saw this from @XRaySpeX and thought it looks promising:

Try setting up Compatible WiFi on the router under Advanced > Wireless Settings > Config > Compatible WiFi (it defaults to 2.4 GHz & WPA2) & connect your problematic 2.4 GHz devices to that.

Re: Windows 10 laptop won't connect to EE Router wifi

JimM11 — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:30:00 GMT

@OriginalBigBri That's the one, you used to be able to set the main down to WPA2-Personal but they stopped it way back 18months ago at the concept of Comp mode, so i upped and left at that point, WPA3-Transitional just does not play nice with some devices and that is the setting on the Main WiFi. Really and i know it's a huge pain, but the BT Smart Hub 2 just same as the PN2 version with a working ATA port for the DV Digital Voice is were and would be WAY BETTER for your dad's home network, if me i would be straight onto EE and trying to get them to send one, do appreciate the time/distance problems you have. Just shout or PM if you need.

Make sure you do have an Ethernet device with you, if not you will have to wireless web manager from your device and that should work no issues browser wise, https://192.168.1.254 and also check make sure your teamviewer is FULLY functional so you can remote at anytime to the Hub/devices.

Find the spec of the HP and if it is a wifi 5 device onwards turn the 5Ghz on in Comp mode, off by default. If it won't connect then highly suggest you go down the BT Smart Hub 2 route.

Re: Windows 10 laptop won't connect to EE Router wifi

XRaySpeX — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:26:27 GMT

The Facebook Portal is only a WiFi5 device & could well also do with connecting to the Compatible WiFi SSID.

Re: Windows 10 laptop won't connect to EE Router wifi

OriginalBigBri — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:23:01 GMT

Well it turned out to be easier than I expected. I just entered the right password.

Re: Windows 10 laptop won't connect to EE Router wifi

JimM11 — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 14:51:54 GMT

@OriginalBigBri Dad's what can one say, perfect ending son is brilliant?🤣👍

Re: Windows 10 laptop won't connect to EE Router wifi

OriginalBigBri — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:50:02 GMT

Oh well, it's his 87th birthday today, so good excuse to come and see him. 😁

Re: Windows 10 laptop won't connect to EE Router wifi

JimM11 — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:52:44 GMT

@OriginalBigBri And may he have many more, wish him a happy Birthday from me also. Have a good and fun time.....

Re: Windows 10 laptop won't connect to EE Router wifi

OriginalBigBri — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:08:54 GMT

@JimM11 Cheers and thanks for all your help.