EE Smart Hub Plus poor range and connection strengh compared to BT Smart Hub 2

[Monaco24]

Our BT broadband contract came to an end so we've moved fully to EE now and been sent out an EE Smart Hub Plus to replace our BT Smart Hub 2. There seems to be a considerable reduction in range with the new EE box and an unstable or poor wifi connection in parts of the house that were fine with the BT box. All in all it feels like a downgrade, has anyone else had similar issues with the EE boxes? 

I'm tempted just to send it back and stick with the older BT box but not sure if that will cause any issues down the line..

Thanks

[JSACollins]

Thanks - I appreciate your advice. Can I just clarify that router = smart hub and the extenders are the wired boxes - excuse my lack of expertise. The mesh system sounds ideal but how would I get one and would there be an EE expert who would call to oversee it’s setup?

[XRaySpeX]

@JSACollins : The router is the black Smart Hub Plus. The extenders are the white rectangular Smart WiFi Plus, not necessarily wired. They are meant to be self-install.

[JimM11]

@JSACollins Your confusing me now below is from your previous post. "5 smart hub extenders", then you sent picture of the mesh extender on the table and said it's Ethernet wired? I posted back from This to Hub+ then that is a wired backhaul so full speed on the ethernet, and would expect you to get the same as your kitchen test. So All in All, if what you are saying is correct, you have the mesh. EE do have and will send a specialist if you require, there is a cost involved and it is detailed plus also included in some of the packages, Think that you really want to restart the post by yourself and i will look back this one to see precise info and links to smart wi-fi set up etc, if you decide to go this way. We are here to help as much as we can.... Added the link all about EE Guides, read when you have time.

EE Guides | Broadband Help | EE

You wrote:

Hi Jim thanks. The new EE smart hub was installed in my kitchen/family area at my request because it’s fairly central in our house and next to our wall mounted smart TV. My speed in this new area has gone up now from 35 to 600 with the new full fibre. When I move my phone/iPad way 20 ft from the hub speeds fall to about 60. I have installed 5 smart hub extenders (the white EE type) with Ethernet on each and that is giving me speed of 60 with 3 bars on devices, except for one in the bedroom which is only giving 5? 

[JSACollins]

I’m sorry I didn’t mean to confuse you. My hub is Smart Hub Plus. It is a black rectangular box where the main fibre comes in since last week. The ‘extenders’ I have are smaller white boxes called Smart WiFi plus. I connected them as explained in the EE App video but they did not increase the signal outside 20 ft from the hub until I used an Ethernet cable with them through a TP plugged in to the wall and connected to the main hub. The download speeds are not as good as the near the hub. Some show a solid blue light and some show a solid orange light.

[JSACollins]

Without Ethernet only one white extender showed a blue light 25 ft from the main hub

[JimM11]

@JSACollins So basically your mesh is not working. Solid orange means it is poor wi-fi in the mesh, and you are trying to force the mesh up your powerline and we do not even know if your mesh is attached to the EE Router correctly. Did you purchase all 5 units, or was this a BT to EE transfer, as XrayspeX posted earlier they are self install, i do NOT USE THEM as use Asus instead, PLEASE read the links below, part of it tells you what the lights mean....

We need to step back here, please list your TP-Link correctly, If i am correct and you will find it on the label it will be TL-PA4010 KIT(UK) both look identical unit wise. Without knowing what you have, how its configured it's a guessing game which is not GOOD!!!!

https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/getting-started/setting-up-smart-wifi
https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/fix-problem/fix-problems-with-smart-wifi

[JSACollins]

The TP on the box is TL WPA4220 KIT bought at Curry’s. The 5 white boxes were sent out by EE when I ordered the full fibre package do they are genuine EE products.

[JSACollins]

They are tp-link products. With my old BT2 hub I used the black discs through the house unwired to Ethernet and they seemed to work. I have quite a large house with sturdy walls - could that be a factor 

[JSACollins]

I followed all the instructions on the EE link and watched the videos. 

[JimM11]

@JSACollins That kit is a wireless and wired ethernet kit, and if you have set it up correctly, you DO NOT WANT any EE mesh near it. It takes your wi-fi device signal, pushes it up the mains cable, to the other unit that is plugged into the EE Router. The speed of that is determined by the electrical power cable total distance from point A to B. You can speed test that alone, but you better turn of all the mesh nodes, and i mean ALL of the 5 EE unit's. On the WPA unit, there is a wi-fi led, is it lit this lets you know that it is transmitting wi-fi. So please have a look at this. And yes the layout of your home has a huge bearing on wi-fi. Did you read any of the links, some packages from EE allow you to have a specialist come see and check/advise what needs to be done.