EE Router is hiding from my Manhattan T3-r PVR

[flyhighest]

I've just moved from PlusNet to EE as part of the former's migration away from landline provision.

Initially I successfully paired everything to the new Router (TVx1, phonex2, PVRx1, computersx2 - one ethernet the rest wi-fi).

But after a few days, whilst watching TV, a PVR message flashed up saying 'disconnected from wi-fi'. I was unable to reestablish the connection - the EE router no longer appeared on the PVR as an available network. The EE router knew of its existence because it said that the PVR had been disconnected for five days (by the time I found that it said such things), so the EE router did know of its existence. Why is the EE router hiding from the PVR?  

An EE article suggested setting up a Compatible WiFi network. Didthat - didn't make any difference.
An EE article suggested switching off 5GHz for that Compatible network. Did that (while the PVR was on) and somehow the PVR re-connected by itself but it used the main Network. But everything else effectively stopped - a message appeared on the phone saying something about a spotty connection. 
So I switched 5GHz back on. The PVR continued connected. Put PVR on standby and back on again - and it reconnected - but will the router throw it off the network again? 

I hesitate to try switching the PVR off at the mains to see if it'll reconnect, because of a buggy router. What do I do or can I do to make the PVR properly and permanently visible again?

[JimM11]

@flyhighest The PVR that you have it just may not like the Main EE WiFi network with it using the WPA3-T as the protocol, when you setup the Comp network, you need to go connect the PVR to that instead, it uses WPA2-PSK as the wireless which is more stable with older devices.....

It's an old device from around 2021, so more than likely wpa2 on wireless. See that it also has an Ethernet port and that would be the best connection but all depends were you EE hub is placed regarding the PVR position.

Linked below about the EE Hubs so you can see what you have got. Assuming you have at least the 6 Plus as you mention compatible network feature.

https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/getting-started/compare-our-range-of-broadband-hubs

[flyhighest]

Thanks for replying. Yes, Smart Hub 6 Plus.

First, when trying out this morning, no EE network was visible to the PVR when trying to 'connect to wifi' (I set up the Comp network last night). When trying to 'search for wifi', the main EE network did show up (but not the Comp one) but so did various neighbourly networks and the PVR just slowly cycled around them in a loop with no option to choose.

As I said, at some point the PVR miraculously reconnected to the main EE network.

Now, having brought the PVR out of standby, it is still connected to main EE. I tried the 'change wi-fi' network function - and it now showed both main and Comp EE Networks. I did not change to EE Comp. 

So, my conclusion is that the PVR does like 'the Main EE WiFi network with it using the WPA3-T as the protocol'. I also conclude that it's the router playing silly devils. I looked at the Event Log - it seems to do nothing except drop out and in, and reset itself every other day. I'll be charitable and assume this is the new part-fibre broadband settling down (previously we were good old-fashioned copper all the way - worked perfectly, the telegraph pole outside being 75 years old now).

As you suggest, I could use ethernet using TP Link (the router is a long way from the PVR) as I already do with a PC 'far-far-away'. But I am critical that backward compatibility seems unachievable with new whizzy gubbins. I know what you're saying, but if it is thought by the industry (as you point out) that something made in 2021 is old (and hence obsolete, decrepit, unworthy of support), then just let them wait until they get as old as I am. I have been 'persuaded' to change from PlusNet to EE in order to keep my landline (of over 50 years). Our oldest (inherited) phone has got to be also 50 years old. Funny how the router can handle THAT backward compatibility with ease but not something made 5 years ago. The 'too old' moniker is no more than an excuse.

[JimM11]

@flyhighest So you are aware that EE Hub is in the midst of a FW update program and going to this version just incase it is throwing you for a loop at present. No idea what is being done to it or what fixes are being applied, one OP posted that the wireless wifi signal was WAY WAY better with the new FW update, so you the heads up JIC.... WPA3-T with the T = Transition is the bridge between WPA2 and WPA3, some older devices just do NOT play well on the T, symptoms are unstable network and frequent dropouts/connects, that is why EE in there wisdom created the Comp network, some other ISP's are just dropping the WPA3-T altogether as it can be pants for support personnel to keep on top off,....

FW: r4.26.1-R-1860948-PROD-83002 and the gui is at App version 3.14.5 25/05/2026 OP Posted

[flyhighest]

Hullo again.

Thanks again for taking the time to help.

No, I'm not aware that EE Hub is in the midst of a firmware update.

My Hub shows this:
Firmware version: r4.26.1-R-1860948-PROD-83002 (which is the same as you cite)
GUI version:3.14.5
The two protocols are:
main: WPA3-Personal-Transition
comp: WPA2-Personal

I understand you're saying WPA3-Personal-Transition doesn't work properly with my PVR. But when the wireless connection to the PVR keeps on disconnecting then connecting every five minutes, the Comp network isn't offered so the PVR cannot be connected to it. Half the time, the main Network isn't offered either. The PVR did say Wi-Fi signal is weak but it also said you're connected Wi-Fi but not the internet.

I conclude that as things stand the Hub is not doing its job as it should and is not fit for purpose. I shall (try to?) talk to a human-being tomorrow - my hopes are low. Meantime my workaround will be (a) use the TV direct for iPlayer etc which is not a bad workaround (b) connect the PVR via ethernet & TP-Link (except that I cannot physically do that - need one of the children to visit so it's inconvenient). I am less than impressed that a dirty great big company like BT has such basic technical shortcomings.

[JimM11]

@flyhighest What has BT got to do with it, you are an EE ISP customer, and the devices don't flip to comp mode, you have to assign it to that new ssid. Weak signal then it's to far away from the EE hub, you may just need to get a smart extender to bolster your weak wifi signal or do as you suggest, is the Tp-Link powerline device, that should work fine between the PVR and the EE Hub, use them for my Ring Doorbell and Ring Cameras, plus one out in the garage also, mixed wired and wireless units.

Your EE Hub has been upgraded to the latest FW that you are reporting.

[flyhighest]

What has BT got to do with it? Easy! EE is the primary consumer brand of BT - so EE is BT, PlusNet is the so-called budget-friendly brand owned by BT - so PlusNet is BT. BT's PlusNet offering is being stripped down which is why many of its customers are being incentivised to switch to BT's EE offering. 

I can't assign Comp when it isn't offered as a choice, otherwise I would've.

Seems TP-Link is going to have to be the eventual way. I already use a pair to access a PC has that no wi-fi capability. At least I've got a spare one in the cupboard somewhere that I used before Smart tellies had wi-fi. In the meantime I'll suffer from mutli-remote confusion and use the TV alone for iPlayer etc. Thank goodness we don't generally stream - only when we've forgotten to record.

[JimM11]

@flyhighest Sorry but you are wrong, the BT Group has three ISP's Plusnet, EE and BT. You can select and join BT now, there is no major push anymore to the EE side off business. BT is slightly more expensive currently nothing else.

PN is not being stripped down, they made the business decision to NOT include DV as sold and have left that for EE/BT to deal with. Nothing to stop you staying with PN as Broadband and just Farm your landline over to some other VOIP provider to deal with that see sample link below.....

Voipfone - VoIP phone services for business, home and home-workers.

[flyhighest]

Sorry, we'll have to agree to disagree. I didn't say that BT had only two ISPs. PN is being stripped down. It's currently hiving off its email service (and a right shambles that has become). And it's currently withdrawing from landline provision. My contract (with old-fashioned landline) was to end in November and couldn't be renewed with landline. That's PN being stripped down to being a broadband-only provider from being an ISP in its original sense. 

There IS a major push to move to EE. PN right now are pushing out emails saying analogue landline is coming to an end; their position is that if I do nothing within a certain period (for me, that period was actually unspecified while for others it was 30 days or 60 days or even right now, according to the PN CSO I talked to), PN will automatically transfer its customers to EE (waiving termination fees and guaranteeing the same price or better with a discount code - for me it's worked out £2pm cheaper). That IS pushing PN customers to EE. PN's 'changes to your broadband' email sent to me was 6 May 2026. The general opinion in PN forums is that going to EE to keep one's landline is the least risk option SO LONG AS one's email has been migrated to GreenBy. My email has (now) been migrated so I can keep my email address; thousands of others haven't. I took PN's advice and offer and moved sooner rather than later because (a) PN might have done it anyway but I'd not know when (b) it avoids the industry-anticipated year-end bottle-neck of mass migration from copper to fibre (c) it was actually cheaper. I didn't dare risk losing my phone number of 50 years (Voip's all well and good until it isn't, and it costs), I can't face losing my main email of well over 25 years, and I'm paying less to boot. Seemed to be a no-brainer, risk-wise and price-wise. On balance, even with the PVR issue, it's still a no-brainer.

Hope that explains the situation ten of thousands PN customers are finding themselves in at present. You should see PN's community forum on the matter!

[JimM11]

@flyhighest End off Jan2027 the PSTN is being switched off for everyone, does not matter who you are with, as long as it is OR/BTW, that's a fact there is going to be NO more delay's was pushed from 2025....

PN does not have a Hub capable off doing DV and have decided that send everyone who needs to maintain there landlne phone elsewhere so that can be any ISP that is on OR/BTW that support's a version of DV... Take sky for instance, there landline has been on the equivalent for 10Years, plus delivered via fttc and on copper wire, copper is going to exist for years yet, although the focus is on getting Fibre done asap.