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Old laptop can’t see new smart hub plus on the network

rugsu
Established Contributor
Established Contributor

I just  set up the new smart hub plus, my old Toshiba laptop can’t see it. 

I understand I have to find compatible Wi-Fi in advanced sertings?

I can’t find advanced settings!  If I have to log in to an IP address, can that be done on the iPhone?

30 REPLIES 30
XRaySpeX
EE Community Star
EE Community Star

Sorry, dunno what that means.

If you think I helped please feel free to hit the "Thumbs Up" button below.

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rugsu
Established Contributor
Established Contributor

Ok I found a short Ethernet cable in a drawer, its plugged in, is it possible to make this work, if so how?

JimM11
Community Hero
Community Hero

@rugsu Plug one end into the Laptop and the Other into one off the yellow connections back off the EE Hub. The Laptop should Auto connect and Internet access, go browse to be sure.

rugsu
Established Contributor
Established Contributor

Did that, can’t see anything on the network, would it show up in the same place as the Wi-Fi?

rugsu
Established Contributor
Established Contributor

I take it back, cable wasn’t pushed in all the way!

looks like I’m online again!

JimM11
Community Hero
Community Hero

@rugsu From you way earlier at the start off all this....

 

Don’t have an Ethernet cable, unfortunately.

I’ve enabled the Compatable Wi-Fi, inc 2.4ghz, but it’s still not showing up on my computer

 
 
rugsu
Established Contributor
Established Contributor

Cleaned out the tech drawer to check.

JimM11
Community Hero
Community Hero

@rugsu Late spring clean then,,,,🤣👍👍, At least you have it working that way!

@XRaySpeX See Image when you clear it.

Screenshot_3-7-2026_195153_www.bing.com.jpeg

bobpullen
Star Contributor
Star Contributor

@rugsu - I suspect you are hitting a problem that I've seen to affect some older WiFi cards, particularly Intel AC models where they outright refuse to 'see' WiFi 6 networks. There has been similar comment round these parts in the past e.g. here.

Unfortunately there is no way to 'downgrade' the Smart Hub 6 Plus to use WiFi 5 and neither will Compatible WiFi work as that currently uses WiFi 6 too.

That leaves your options as: -

  • Find updated drivers for the WiFi card on your laptop. Not easy if the manufacturer no longer publishes them and you're on your own if you decide to start downloading stuff from 'less reputable' websites.
  • Purchase a cheap WiFi 6 capable USB WiFi adapter. Depending on the spec of your USB ports, they may bottleneck the connection below what it's capable of but it should allow you to get connected over the air again.
  • Replace the laptop.

There's a pretty decent read on TP-Link's website here that sounds like it may be your culprit.