topic Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands in Broadband & Landline

Smart bulbs and splitting bands

Sandra777 — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 11:43:43 GMT

Hi there

Until recently I have had smart bulbs working with my Amazon Alexa. They suddenly stopped working and I can't get them connected. I read that I can split the bands so I can fix the problem and I have managed to find how to do it but I'm worried, as there is a pop up warning me that it might stop my WiFi working.

My question is this - is it OK to go ahead and split the band?

I'm probably being daft but I'm not very technology savvy, so I'd welcome some advice

Thank you.

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

Northerner — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:06:10 GMT

Hi @Sandra777

Which broadband router do you have.

Also which brand of bulbs do you have.

Thanks

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

Sandra777 — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:16:16 GMT

It's a black EE router if that helps.

The bulbs are Expower.

I used to connect them with eFamily Cloud but that's no longer available with Alexa. I stupidly uninstalled the app, as I initially thought that was the problem but when I reinstalled I can't connect the bulbs. Alexa skills say to use Smart Life app, which I've downloaded but can't connect the bulbs with that either.

Both apps say I'm on 5GHz and need to be on 2.4GHz to connect.

Thanks.

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

XRaySpeX — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:27:57 GMT

There are at least 3 black EE routers. Which 1 do you have? Read the label on it or post a pix.

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

Northerner — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:34:36 GMT

Hi @Sandra777

Does your current wifi password contain special characters such as #@& etc? If it does I would gamble that is your problem.

Is there a setting under WiFi which allows you to temporarily disable 5GHz.

I use the Smart Life app on my bulbs, it's a bit temperamental and I find the closer I stand to the bult with my phone the easier it will connect.

Thanks

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

Sandra777 — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:38:10 GMT

I did look at the label but didn't see a name as such.

It says EE smart hub.

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

Sandra777 — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:42:04 GMT

The only special character as such is a hyphen.

I've found a setting to separate the bands so I could connect the bulbs with 2.4 but I'm just worried about doing it!

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

XRaySpeX — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:44:29 GMT

Yes, that is its model name.

For the black EE Smart Hub, but not the white EE Smart Router, try separating the wireless bands/SSIDs. On the Advanced > Wireless Settings page of the SH there is a button near the top to Separate the Bands. Turn it ON. Then the 5GHz SSID will appear starting with "5GHz-" & the 2.4 GHz SSID not starting with "5GHz-". Then connect your devices to the 2.4 GHz SSID if they can't do 5GHz. It is safe to do this.

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

Sandra777 — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:18:18 GMT

Thank you!

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

XRaySpeX — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:20:24 GMT

Thanks! You're welcome 🙂 ! Glad I could be of assistance & trust it is now sorted.

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

Ponytrekker — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 13:26:03 GMT

Please can I jump in here? As I have a similar issue with some new Tapo smart plugs. Where can I find the router settings page to split my 5g please

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

XRaySpeX — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 13:29:56 GMT

@Ponytrekker : How can we tell you when you don't tell us which router?

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

Sandra777 — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 13:37:47 GMT

Try logging into your EE Smart Hub at http://192.168.1.254 with the admin password found on the plate on the back of it.

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

Ponytrekker — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 14:33:45 GMT

I'm sorry, I'm new to all this.

It's a Smart Hub SH31B, model F5394-CP EE

Kind regards

Bruce

Re: Smart bulbs and splitting bands

XRaySpeX — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 14:52:13 GMT

@Ponytrekker : You can't separate WiFi bands on that router. Try on the Advanced > Wireless Settings page to temporarily disable the 5 GHz WiFi band & move off the Smart channel while connecting problematic 2.4 GHz devices.