topic Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection in Broadband & Landline

Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

Gunnytron — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:25:55 GMT

I purchased a smart hub sh31b for a family member whom currently has a BT modem as I think the WiFi is faulty.

I have plugged in the ee modem and connected an ethernet cable so that I can access the WiFi settings. The problem is it isn't connecting. The sh31b doesn't show up on the network.

Is it possible to set these up without an internet line connected?

What is the expected behaviour of the lights when it is turned on without an internet connection. I ask as the light is permanently.green. pressing the reset button does nothing.

I have even been to someone else's house and plugged it into their broadband (BT modem again) and still the lights are always solid green.

Sorry for the long post. I am just trying to understand if the modem is broken or not.

Thank you

Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

JimM11 — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:59:44 GMT

@Gunnytron You plug the Ethernet off a PC into the EE Smart Hub 6 Plus version and connect that way, https://192.168.1.254 will get you on the web manager to the EE Hub, then you can inspect it and set it up as you need.

DO NOT plug it into the BT Modem Ethernet port, with them both having the same IP range and DHCP they will not like each other.

The EE Hub device help linked below.

EE Smart Hub 6 Plus | Device Help | EE

Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

XRaySpeX — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:12:02 GMT

What have you plugged the EE router into? Where does the BT modem (or is it a router?) fit in?

You can certainly config a router not connected to BB at all. As such the EE SH 6+ should be constantly flashing Orange. Continuous Green means it just starting up & shouldn't be like that for long before it goes to flashing Orange.

Login to your EE Smart Hub/Router at http://192.168.1.254 with the admin password on the bottom of the slider label on the back of the router.

Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

Gunnytron — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:06:29 GMT

My PC sees no devices connected to ethernet when I plug it in. When I try to connect to the IP I just get a notification connected message.

The BT line comes into it just because I wanted to test to see if anything worked when it had an internet connection. It didn't connect to the internet though.

Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

Gunnytron — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:17:25 GMT

Yeah thanks. That's what I have been doing but I cannot connect to that IP as the PC doesn't seem the modem. I tried using a switch also but it made no difference.

Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

FoxRadio — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:26:47 GMT

@Gunnytron What browser and windows version are you using? Make sure you are entering the address into the address bar & not the search bar (if it has one). Make sure your ethernet lead is connected to one of the yellow ports on the router (not the red one). If you just enter the routers address (192.168.1.254) then your browser might complain that the site isn't safe. You can just ignore that & carry on.

Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

JimM11 — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:19:19 GMT

@Gunnytron Factory reset the EE Hub, as you bought it second hand you have know idea if the previous owner has changed the IP Scope. Link supplied earlier in the thread, error states, then hub lights shows you what, but it should boot up to an orange after the green is reached. Boot time is about 3-5 minutes, and depending on the EE Hub if it has the lower FW then allow an additional 20 seconds to allow the Ethernet connection to establish.

https://192.168.1.254 will get you to the Hub web manager interface either Ethernet or if wireless wifi once connected to that.

Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

Gunnytron — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:14:55 GMT

Ok, to clarify and summarise:

The smart hub has the power cable attached plus an ethernet cable (yellow port) which goes to my windows 11 PC.

The PC sees not ethernet connection therefore, when I enter the IP into the browser address bar it does not connect to the smart hub (I tried 2 different browsers).

The reset button does nothing. The colour is always solid green.

I think at this stage, from what everyone else has been saying, that this smart hub or it's power supply are damaged as it is not acting as expected.

Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

JimM11 — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:51:04 GMT

@Gunnytron If you press and hold the Factory Reset button for at least 20 seconds and until you see the green light go out on the hub and it reboots itself have you tried that? DO NOT connect the Lan up until after the hub has booted up, should get past green and got to Orange.

Your windows 11 PC will only show you a Globe, and if you hover over it then it will say connected NO internet if indeed it has an Ethernet connection.

In your browser bar type as is https://192.168.1.254 and just not the numbers.... http://192.168.1.254 if the s throws a security loop at you.

Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

Gunnytron — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:51:15 GMT

The green light doesn't go out after holding down the reset button. I tried it for 30 seconds and still no effect.

As for windows 11, yes, I went into the settings panel where you can select the ethernet and see what is connected. I connected my laptop just to check and it recognised an ethernet conenction. There is no recognised connection when the hub is connected.

I also tried pinging the IP and there was no response.

Re: Smart hub sh31b setup without internet connection

JimM11 — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:31:46 GMT

@Gunnytron If none off the above works then just return the EE Hub back to were you bought it from, it could be faulty one just does not know the current state off it?

Post up your Ethernet just like the link below, although this is mine on a wireless connection.

Solved: Re: Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network - Page 4 - The EE Community