Incompatibility with older devices (TV's) and inability to configure EE router

[matthewmcneilly]

I am trying to help a friend who has recently switched to EE since December 2025. Initially all worked well but suddenly some of her tv's (x3) lost internet connection (they are old but not ancient, still have smart capability). And also her sons VR Headset requires reconnecting to the wifi and entering the wifi password each time after powering down the device. Upon inspection the WiFi is working fine on all other devices (laptops, mobiles, ps4, firesticks, nintendo switch) and seems stable. However on the tv's they refuse to detect the network even after resetting them. The network is using WPA3-Personal-Transition security type so should be backward compatible out of the box. What I have tried;

• Resetting hub to factory settings
• Setting up compatibility wifi network using WPA2. Doesnt find this network.
• Setting up guest mode using WPA2 protocol. Doesnt find this network.
• Disabling 5GHz band 
• Moving TV's closer to the router 
• Manually entering the ssid and password on the tv's. Connects to the network but has no internet connection.

When using a mobile hotspot the tv's are able to connect fine. And neighboring wifi networks are also viewable. 

Leaving me to suspect the wifi channel. From what I have read the compatibility and guest network use the same channel as the main network. The router is setup to automatically select a channel and will not allow me to manually configure either 2.4GHz or 5GHz. By default it is choosing channels such as channel 100 (DFS) which could cause problems with older devices. Is there any plan from EE to remedy this and allow more configuration to protect against issues with older devices. 

[JimM11]

@matthewmcneilly No plans, you should find out what the devices support and use the 2.4Ghz option!

[Mooly01]

It sounds like you perhaps have a more recent Hub to mine but many have an option on the WiFi settings to change the mode to something more suitable for older equipment. Look for something like this. 

[JimM11]

@Mooly01 Not on the newer models that is why they have all the extra options, but Auto channel is the only option given and you cannot say where the channel is going to be, along with all the others. main, compatible, guest and the Hidden plus EE WiFi free for all. FW is more clamped options wise on the later EE Hubs. Are you using the BT or the EE version off the old Hub, BT Smarthub2 or the EE Smarthub (2023) model, your FW does look old as the newer wifi report's as smart channels.

Re: BT Smarthub2 on a FTTC 40/10 split. - The EE Community

[Mooly01]

@JimM11  I did wonder.

It is an EE Smart Hub SH20A that is not quite 2 years old and it replaced the virtually identical BT version when BT unceremoniously and without asking or telling me moved me to EE at contract renewal time... however...

Fixing the channels was actually one of the first things I did tbh. Let the neighbours channel hop. It sounds like each version takes away user functionality. I think the earlier BT ones also allowed the bands to be separated as well.

FW last updated Dec 2025 

[JimM11]

@Mooly01 Linked posting from above did have the BT Smarthub2 FW and was updated to a slightly later version 1st Apr 2025 on the FTTC waiting on OR to install the Fibre connection, so Hub was Factory Reset then to return it ready for connection and to suit the original user's SSID/Password with only a TV connection. Your EE and that BT share the exact same FW versions. 

[Mooly01]

I'm not quite sure what you are saying with those screen shots vs mine 🙂

Do you mean I will see a different FW version pushed out as I move to from FTTC and over to  FTTP?

In your shot here would you not now be able to manually pick a channel if you click on the the box that says Smart (channel 6) for example. Has that option gone with the latest FW you show.

[XRaySpeX]

@Mooly01 : The 2 of you are talking about diff routers, not just f/ware.

@JimM11 is referring to a BT SH2.

You have an EE SH (2023). It is a clone of the BT SH2 with similar functionality. You should be able to choose the channels via drop-downs.

Neither router relates to the modern EE SH router the OP has.

[daveb10780]

I am glad I found this thread but sadly have no good news or suggestions. We have just switched from BT (SmartHub 2 no problems) to EE (Hub 7 PRO) doesn't work for old devices. I have the same issue with an elderly laptop no networks are visible despite trying Compatible (should work), Guest (also should work) and all combinations of speed settings. Come on EE this is a common  issue it would seem so please work out how to fix it as as matter of priority. The user interface on EE Pro 7 has removed lots of options, please bring them all back like mode for instance there are smart users out there.

You are most welcome to come round to our house then see and fix on site.

[XRaySpeX]

@daveb10780 : I think you'll find the router is set to Wireless Mode = WiFi6 and Security Type = WPA3 by default. Your device mayn't cope with that. Change the router settings down to WiFi5 and/or WPA2, particularly on the Compatible WiFi..