EE Home app blocked by VPN

[si499854]

I am trying to set up parental controls on my EE Home app.

On logging in I am told I have a VPN connection and I shall not pass. 

My VPN is switched off. I am not tech savvy, so "just do this" or just find this setting and change it " doesn't really compute.

Is this a case of just buy a better router or suck it up until my contract ends and go with a better company (if such a thing exists these days?)

[XRaySpeX]

@si499854 : Show us the error msg verbatim.

What is the name of the EE BB plan you are on including its speed? Which EE router & WiFi extenders, if any, do you have (read label or post a pix)?

Do you have the white EE Smart Router? If so, the EE Home App only works with that. If not, perhaps you should be using the more modern EE App.

[si499854]

The message reads

"VPN detected

It looks like your device is connected to a VPN.

This could prevent the app from communicating with your Wi-Fi discs.

Please check your VPN setting"

I was forced across from BT to EE a couple of years ago and they didn't even offer an EE router, just said the BT one would work just fine so I'm still running a BT Home Hub 2 with 2 black BT extender discs.

I'm not expecting this to be resolved due to still running a BT router but naffed if EE think I'm going to pay an extra £20 a month for 2 EE WiFi extenders. The Discs that I have only work as well as they do because they are hardwired into the router. 

The house is quite old with very thick stone and brick walls

[XRaySpeX]

I wouldn't expect the EE Home App to work with the  BT Smart (I presume, not  Home) Hub 2. Have you tried to use it before with the EE SH 2?

Still, what is the name of your EE BB plan?

[si499854]

The plan is labelled as Fibre 50 Core but there's no fibre this side of the cabinet. Lucky to get 40meg and no sign of it getting any better.

[si499854]

No, this is the first time trying to use the EE home app, I felt now is a good time to set up the parental controls now the kids are getting more freedom on the internet. Yes it is a Smart Hub 2. I'm not a fan of EEs website and apps.

[XRaySpeX]

The EE Home App is not for you. Where it can be used the associated router has an Access Control page that tells you to use the EE Home App for it. I would presume the BT SH 2 doesn't have such an instruction.

It's possible the the EE App might work with the BT SH 2.

[JimM11]

@si499854 BT Smart hub 2, use the EE app. Latest FW on the BT hub that's the one to use now. Parental controls should be semi workable but not the same as the later hubs from EE.

Link below to what you can do with it. The EE one is the same as the BT Smarthub 2.

Compare EE Smart Hubs | Device Help | EE

[si499854]

@JimM11 yep the EE app works, but not with a VPN mind. How very dare I use a VPN!

The parental controls work enough for me to knock out the kids internet as and when needed. Thanks.

[JimM11]

@si499854 Just keep in mind, when the app is not working, and the kids are locked out,,,, there is NO method of getting them back on until the app works again, been a few disgruntled EE customers on the Forum recently with the app down / accounts down etc for maintenance, it's all tied tightly together. Complete wifi you should be able to get to the disc's fine with the web manager https://192.168.1.254, just set one up couple weeks ago straight web in the Advanced / wireless / extenders tab, no issues doing so... Linked below if you need to see picture capture...

Re: Devices connect to WiFi but is assigned no IP address - The EE Community