2.4ghz wifi extender option on EE Broadband Smart Hub Plus

[Tog_PD]

I have recently moved from BT to EE and have a Bambu 3D printer that will only use 2.4ghz wifi connection. It is located away from the main Hub, and I am using 3 EE Smart Wifi Extenders to connect around the house.

However the extenders only offer the 5ghz and not the 2.4ghz, my old BT White Discs do not work well (lots of dropouts and slow speeds when connected to EE), so they are not an option.

Does EE offer an extended 2.4ghz network option?

I still have my BT router (they want it back in January) so I could use the old system which I think would work but surely EE have a solution? Thanks in advance for any advice 🙂

[JimM11]

@Tog_PD What method have you used to determine that EE does not extend the 2.4Ghz signal through the smart wireless extenders?

[Tog_PD]

Hi Jim, two things, one is that it only shows 5ghz on the extenders manage page, when logged into the router (192.164 etc) and others have mentioned this eslewhere in the forum.

Also, the printer will not connect to the wifi.

I will be very pleased if you tell me this can be changed 🙂

[JimM11]

@Tog_PD Can you point/link the post were you seen that, your printer not linking to an extender is another issue. Just do not know, as don't use EE Smart wireless, but cannot believe that both the signals are not extended, there would be know point in even having them if that was the case.

[bobpullen]

@Tog_PD - I think you might be misinterpreting something in the management page because the EE extenders broadcast both 2.4GHz and 5GHz fronthaul signals (in case of the Pro devices, they do 6GHz too).

[Tog_PD]

@bobpullenthanks for the reply, is there any issue with legacy 2.4ghz standards that might not be supported, or should it all just work ok.

My printer just fails to connect, and it worked perfectly on the BT White Discs.

[bobpullen]

@Tog_PD - the EE Smart Hub/WiFi Plus will be broadcasting Wi-Fi 6/AX whereas the BT hub /white discs were probably using Wi-Fi 4/N which could be contributing to what you're seeing. Basically, the EE hub/extenders will be using newer standards on the 2.4GHz band. If you haven't tried completely factory resetting/reconfiguring the Printer then that's the first thing I'd suggest.

Failing that, couple of other things it might be worth trying: -

1. Log into the Hub Manager at http://192.168.1.254 and navigate to Advanced > Wireless. Try disabling the 5GHz band and then reboot or reset your Printer and see if you can get it connected. If you can, then try re-enabling the 5GHz band and see if it 'sticks'.

2. From the same area of the Hub Manager, you will likely find a 'WiFi Mode' selector. Try dropping that down to some of the lower options and saving before trying again. It might be that you have more luck with the WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 compatibility modes. Only problem with this approach is that is degrades the performance for the more capable devices on your network if you have them (might not be something you necessarily notice though).

Incidentally, if it's the white 'BT Whole Home' discs that you're talking about then they should operate in exactly the same way as they did with the BT hub. They just rely on an Ethernet connection between the hub and master disc and there's going to be zero difference in that regard. It is typically recommended that you disable Wi-Fi on the hub itself though when using these (by toggling both bands off on the page mentioned above, or using the 'disable all wireless' toggle if you have one). I'd recomment you perservere with the EE kit though as it's arguably more capable and I'm assuming you're paying for it.

[Tog_PD · Accepted solution]

@bobpullenThanks, you are a genius, switching the Wifi to WiFi 6 compatibility mode sorted out the problem, all connected and can't see a drop in speed either 🙂

Thanks for your help, it is much appreciated 🙂

[bobpullen]

@Tog_PD - glad to hear it's sorted! 🙂