Smart Hub plus 7 - Always use this IP address Issue

[jsviper77]

Hi all, 

I have just switched from Sky to EE. 

I have the new Smart Hub 7 Plus and although most of it works, i have a couple of issues. 

1. When i try to turn on "Always use this ip address" for devices on my LAN it won't toggle. Therefore i cannot set fixed LAN addresses for smart devices etc around the home.   (I changed the DHCP Range/Router IP to match Sky's)

2. Port forwarding, although works, creates two entries every time.

Frustrating for the most simplest of functions.

Anyone have the same issue or can help shed some light on what might be the cause.

Is it a bug in the firmware, as i can see previous models had this working ok.

[jsviper77]

Having the Same issue, having just switch from Sky to EE, thinking, although sky was a bit slower, and the tech older, it worked well. (I changed because it was twice the price)

Called EE tech support and the Guide didn't know anything about this issue, he put me through to a tech guy who said basically they have no training or understanding of the routers, basically they ask, does the service work  YES/NO. All router functions are down to the end user!! 

Then went on to say, this feature is not available on home broadband and i would have to upgrade to business, i told him it is not a Static IP on the WAN i am after, just reservations on the LAN Side, which the options are in the router, just not working. He continued to argue that this is a business feature, i told him it was available on all other ISP's router, even BT's and your older EE router. It must be a Bug in the firmware, which he completely boo hoo'd.

So i asked him, why put the feature into a router if it is not available, best you get it removed to stop the confusion.

So far EE tech support for Broadband has been really bad. 

I'm stuck now trying to decide whether to stay or switch.

[JimM11]

@jsviper77 Have you reached out to the Pro user's, the fixing and reserving on the EE Smarthub+ now called the EE Smarthub6 + worked fine, was done through the web manager interface on the advanced Lan tab, so would be surprised if not working, but who knows!

Had all my devices assigned to fixed IP's off the DHCP server no issues at all and the stuck with no clashes! One off the reason's i would never do a Factory Reset, took a couple off hours to get it all worked out and some are not so forth comming like printers etc when not on all the time! Do like a structured network my self! 

What you could do if using the older sky SR203 or sky Q hub, is much alike with an EE Smarthub 6 +, the Pro never used that just don't have a wifi7 device so no need!

[JimM11]

@jsviper77 Did a quick reply on your other post, which you had used for a Pro, the Plus is just so new, and even the 6+ although it was 2 to 3 years into development had loads off FW oops, so you may just have to hang fire, fix your IP's on the devices ready for getting that Router into a working state, would think that the testing teams would have spotted it for the trials but who knows! Welcome to the wonderful world off EE!

[jsviper77]

@JimM11 I work in IT and have a structured network at home. 

I had all my fixed devices, printers, ring, smart home stuff etc all on static lan ip's on my sky router.

The option is on the EE router but the toggle switch doesn't work. It's reachable via a few ways, your suggestion being one of them. 

I've done a factory reset, but that didn't work. 

Some devices, you don't have the ability to manually put a static ip into, so that's why I need the dhcp to do it. 

I don't need the wifi 7 from EE as I have an Eero mesh, just use the EE wifi compatibility mode for the sky Q connection. 

I'm wish I hadn't switched now. 

[JimM11]

@jsviper77 Going to leave you with it all as you do seem to have a handle on what you are doing, went back to sky Mar25 had enough off EE 11 months into the 24 Month contract hung up the spur's to say!

[Huggons1]

See post 19th December 2025...

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Broadband-Landline/EE-Smart-Hub-7-Plus-Router-Firmware/td-p/1590383

[jsviper77]

@Huggons1 Thank you for the reference.  I did see that one. 

Been onto EE, actually got through to someone helpful, getting another router sent out. Will post if any changes. 

Hopefully my journey may help others. 

[JimM11]

@Huggons1 Perfect only been a month so time for someone to look an address what is going on, not surprised new Router does not have a few quirks, you just don't know what is going to happen or if anything, @jsviper77 info supplied as per @Huggons1 !

[JimM11]

@jsviper77 What do you think another Router will be no different from what you have just a collection from EE as per the norm!