Smart Hub Plus SH31b wont connect to Firestick 1st Generation

[vigman]

Well this is embarrassing! I’m a chartered IT professional and a specialist network troubleshooter. However, despite following all advice on the internet, I cannot get apps like Netflix or BBC to run on a first generation firestick via the Smart Hub Plus 31b. 

I have been using an old Brightbox router either with a direct Ethernet connection or via Wi-Fi to fire sticks with no problems. I was advised that I was to be upgraded from copper to fibre and sent a Smart Hub Plus SH31b in preparation. 

Whether by direct Ethernet connection or via Wi-Fi,  the apps show on the firestick (powered from the mains before anyone asks) but won’t run apps like Netflix. Sometimes I get specific network errors eg unable to connect to Netflix servers 2 and 3, sometimes just buffering. 

On the Wi-Fi side, I set up a 2.4Ghz compatible network and selected that on the firestick but same problem. You can’t specifically toggle off IPv6 on this hub)

With direct Ethernet connection, the firestick shows as connected and even gives an internet speed check, but then the apps still fail to run. Change to the old Brightbox router and both direct Ethernet connection and Wi-Fi connections work immediately. 

Unless anyone can help solve this, I am going to cancel the fibre upgrade and stick to the old Brightbox!

TIA

[DoingItSideways]

Have you tried setting the DNS server to 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8?

[JimM11]

@DoingItSideways EE Hub or the Firestick, which get's set to cloudflare/google dns server's?

[DoingItSideways]

The first step is to reproduce the Brightbox config on the Hub as much as possible, e.g. IPv6 off, known DNS servers, parental controls off, etc.

If it still doesn't work then there's some other difference that is affecting only the Firestick. A wireshark capture may be needed to see what's going on.

[vigman]

Thanks. I have done all that. Apart from the BB being 192.168.1.1 and the new SmartHub Plus 192.168.1.254 and necessary adjustments being made where necessary, the BB and SH have the same settings?
Also the same Firesticks work with a SmartHub Plus on another completely different geographical broadband connection and worked on copper there then worked after being moved to FTTP at that location? Unfortunately I do not have the FW version of that hub. 
I thought it might be an issue between the SH and the exchange stopping certain streaming services but that doesn’t allow for the fact that Netflix, iPlayer etc will run on my iPad via WiFi on the SH31b?
I have solved some tricky network issues (professionally) in the past but this one has completely baffled me.

 
The Netflix error messages show this below:  (BBC iPlayer just gives text saying unable to show programme, this is usually a temporary error try again soon)

[vigman · Accepted solution]

My previous reply hasn’t shown up?

The streaming services that failed to work previously on the SH31b immediately worked when the change to FTTC was made today!

obviously a low level problem with how the router communicated with the cabinet and the cabinet with the exchange. 
I will keep testing but looks good so far. 
Thanks for all replies and Im relieved it was something out of my control!