EE Smart Hub FTTP not connecting to Smart life devices

[adam_27]

Back in July I renewed my broadband with EE. And at the same time they gave me the option to go FTTP (full fibre) and said it will happen soon anyway so then was a good time.

Previous it was copper fibre.

Using the old router my smart devices, led lights in the kitchen through an LED driver and smart plugs all worked seamlessly.

The new 'smart' router arrived and I managed to connect Mobile phones, Amazon echo, Amazon fire stick no issues at all. The ring doorbell was a little more work but eventually all worked.

However my smart lights in the kitchen and the plug in the living room would not connect.

Things tried: separate/turn off the 5ghz band, numerous phone calls and hours spent talking to EE tech. Reset the router. Adjusted settings. Tried a new router. Had EE home engineer visit. Had a BT engineer visit. Pulled my hair out.

Eventually I had enough so read a good option is to get a Third Party router. I purchased the To Link Archer 1500. 

Annoyingly I am back to square 1 after spending £70 of hard earned money.

Any help on this would be massively appreciated. Close to throwing smart lights in the bin however I use them remotely and have timer set via the smart life app. So I would be so pleased to get past this nightmare.

Thanks

[Northerner]

Hi @adam_27 

What brand are your smart lights and what app are you using for your smart lights. Normally these need to use the 2.4 band. 

From my own experience I tend to need to be right next to them when I first connect, once connected it works just fine. 

[Mustrum]

Have you still got the old router that worked with the smart lights? If so, you could set it up as an Access Point, and connect the lights to it.

[adam_27]

2.4ghz and Smart Life

[adam_27]

No I am pretty sure I sent the old router back for recycling 🥲

[XRaySpeX]

Pity! That would have been the ideal solution.

[Northerner]

Hi @adam_27 

I use the same app. I use wifi6 and it takes a few times to connect for my non Kasa bulbs and smart lamp. 

As I mentioned above you need to be literally next to the item your connecting to (from my experience) with that app. If you've registered the app and have all your items listed when you start the app it should connect automatically to your new router if your WiFi on your phone is connected to 2.4. Once you've connected your devices you can change your phone WiFi back to 5. 

Thanks