Can't connect smart speakers to Smart Hub Plus

[Scottchestnut]

Having real issues connecting a Google Nest Mini and a Sonos Play 1 to the Hub. I can set up a Chromecast Ultra fine, which makes it all the more perplexing. I've tried at the usual stuff people recommend and even switched to WiFi 6 compatibility and WiFi 5 mode, turned of smart channel switching etc. nothing works.....

Is this a common issue and how do I fix it?

[Hw99]

Hi Scott - did you find a solution to this? I’ve just got a Smarthub Plus and having the same trouble with Sonos devices!

[Sea_Angler]

I am having an issue with Sonos Arc and Sub. I called Sonos and they said that unless the EE SmartHub is Wi-fi 2 compatible my devices cannot register on the Sonos App and cannot connect. Therefore my Arc works on the connected TV only and the Sub is redundant. Disappointing that Sonos do not have a solution. Should I go back to my old BT router or is there an EE Smarthub solution?

[XRaySpeX]

@Sea_Angler : That can't be! WiFi-2 is obsolete. It dates from 1999. Routers today are at least WiFi-5. However routers will "downgrade" to connect with devices with lower versions of WiFi.

I think you'll find the router is set to WiFi6 and/or WPA3. Your device probably can't cope with that. Change the router down to WiFi5 and WPA2. 

[Mustrum]

@Sea_Angler     from a post I made to an earlier problem, here are a few things you can do to help older devices to the new router.  Which model router do you have though?

Did you use the Transfer settings in the App when you got the router? This takes the settings from your old router and applies them to the new one. Just remember to take a note from the card on the old router for when you add new devices in the future.

Assuming it is the Smart Hub plus, switch WiFi 6 off/ WiFi 5 on is one thing in the compatibility section.

Use WPS where you can if your devices have it.

Switching the 5Ghz band off whilst you connect these devices can also help.

And changing the WiFi security back from WPA3 to WPA2 is another step to try.

[Sea_Angler]

Thanks for the response, I'll try that (hoping there is no knock-on effect to other devices). I had a Sonos helpline staff member remotely connect into my router and advised me what I said. It did sound odd to me but that was their advice. They had the option to change the setting from Wi-Fi 6 to Wi-Fi 5 but definitely said that it needed WiFi 2 compatibility. I ain't no expert but that is what I was advised. I also asked if Sonos had a software upgrade for the Arc for this but they said not and only newer Sonos devices were compatible with my EE router (My Arc was bought only 2 years ago!).

[Sea_Angler]

Thanks for these suggestions. I do not do a transfer as you suggest/was not aware, so thanks for future tip. I'll try them. Router is Smart Hub SH32B. Interesting the Sonos engineer who remotely connected in to my EE router did not have the same suggestions or try these options. They stuck to the line of the router needing to be Wi-Fi 2 compatible. They left me with the impression my Arc + Sub were obsolete yet only purchased 2 years ago! 

[Mustrum]

@Sea_Angler  perhaps the Sonos chap was not so much with WiFi terms as they were with Audio stuff.

Looking at the Sonos help pages suggests differently, and is at least WiFi4. So just using the 2.4Ghz band to start with should help, as well as changing to WPA2

https://support.sonos.com/en-gb/article/supported-wifi-modes-and-security-standards-for-sonos-produc... 

[Sea_Angler]

Really appreciate your time responding. Sonos did send me a link to the same article you attached. I ain't no expert so before I change any setting can you confirm this would not negatively affect other connected devices such as Sky TV router (Sky has a router hard-wired to the EE router) , Alexas, etc...?

[Mustrum]

@Sea_Angler   It won;t stop those devices connecting, but without the 5Ghz band they won't be able to connect at the higher speeds. But once you have the Sonos working switching the 5Ghz back on will restore the speeds for those devices and the Sonos should still work ok.

However the WPA setting will need some trial and error to make sure you are using the most secure passords on your network. The trick is once you have it working, change the settings upwards - ie WPA3 is best WPA is least secure, but if you are out in the stia cks may not be a concern, but could be more of a concern in a busy area say with lots of flats nearby.

HTH