Where do I go to find my router settings, please?

[Patricia55]

I've just received an EE smartrouter yesterday afternoon, and have set it up okay, but I need to update some of the settings for Wi-Fi and security, etc. Can anyone tell me how I can go about finding this elusive "My Router" settings/control page? I've already tried the ee.co.uk/smartrouter link, but it just took me into a type of comments section. Many thanks, Pat.

[Patricia55]

Okay, thanks for that, except I've no idea what "the router's SSID" is or means, nor do I have a clue what WPS is about.

I'm having a little giggle at myself here, because it's quite likely that I do know what these functions are, but in simpler terms than the technical jargon which I've never managed to fathom.🙃

Don't worry, though, I never ever click on anything unless I'm absolutely certain that it's the correct thing to do. Trial and error is all very well when you haven't got much to lose, but I'm not willing to take any risks in messing up my beloved PC.

I appreciate everything about this community, and people like yourself who are very kind and helpful, but I don't want to be a nuisance to anyone. I'll try having a look around at what I've got so far, and hopefully find the solutions I'm looking for. Either way, I'll get back to you and let you know how I've fared. Thanks again, Pat.

[XRaySpeX]

SSID is the WiFi Network Name. It's written on the label & should be viewable from a PC by clicking the Internet Access Notification icon at bottom R of screen. You usually connect a device to it & supply the WiFi password/key.

WPS = WiFi Protected Setup. There's usually buttons on router & device which when pressed allow them to auto connect.

[Patricia55]

Thank you very much for that very helpful information. Yes, of course, I should have remembered what WPS stands for, but my old brain is a bit tired since yesterday's shenanigans with replacing the old router.

I've just been looking at the "EE Smart Router Manager", and it's showing what devices I have, but with MAC addresses I don't recognise (I made notes of them a couple of days ago). Of course, the IP addresses are different with the new router, so I'll just mosey around a bit more before I call it a day and try again tomorrow.

A question if I may, though.....Would it be a good idea for me to reset the WPS on the router? I haven't pressed that button since I set it up last night, so I'm wondering if I should do that, or just leave it alone for now.

Don't worry if you don't want to get back with an answer, as you've already been very helpful. Pat😉

[Mustrum]

@Patricia55   no ne ed to reset the WPS, it is a temporary thing to help connect the likes of printers and when you press the button only lasts a minute or so.

One downside with the Smart router it uses the same SSID/WiFi name for 2.4 and 5Ghz bands, some older devices can't cope with that, but switching the 5Ghz band off often allows things to connect.

HTH

[Patricia55]

Thanks for that, Mustrum. Yes, I'm now wondering whether I've got a decent router from EE, in comparison to the Super Router I had with TalkTalk. Apart from it being a big ugly white-faced thing which is literally twice the size of the old black one, I haven't found the router manager as easy to get around, either.

Ah well, tomorrow's another day, and I need to go and get my dinner ready. Thank you, everyone, for your support, but don't be surprised if you hear from me again soon. Take care, Pat.

[Patricia55]

Hello, Mustrum.

Some questions, if I may.....

1.  I'm thinking about disabling the 5GHz band for now, just to see if that can help me to add my new indoor WiFi camera (only 2.4GHz is supported), which was working fine after I set it up about a week ago via my TalkTalk super router (with both GHz settings ON) and my new smartphone. However, since I installed the EE router, it hasn't recognised the existence of that camera at all, yet it shows the three other devices I use (i.e. 2 Ethernet and one wireless).
What's your advice on that, please, and how do I disable 5GHz? I shouldn't have to do this.

2.  Before I swapped routers, I noted the MAC addresses of my devices in case I needed that info (not the Ethernet ones, though) and found that my new smartphone one has completely changed all by itself on the new router. Is that normal when changing router/provider? I thought MAC addresses were unique to each devise. I also had to contact EE yesterday to find out why I couldn't access "My EE" on the phone since 31/08/23, but could still do it on my PC. The man I spoke to wrongly presumed it was because I had changed provider, but I told him my smartphone was originally set up with EE anyway, and never with TalkTalk. Then the line went dead. However, a few hours later, I was able to access "My EE" on the phone, so EE must have fixed the problem (the different phone MAC address?).

I'm beginning to regret changing to EE now, because they failed on the first day (31/08/23) to connect my landline after having over two weeks to make sure everything was set up correctly for that deadline date, as well as the other ongoing problems. Also, I strongly suspect that EE has supplied me with an inferior router to the one I had with TalkTalk, as I shouldn't be having problems with the GHz settings, or anything else for that matter.

I'm not a happy bunny with EE at this stage, as they've made a simple changeover turn into a nightmare of problems.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could tell me what the differences are between a smart router and a super router, because EE should have replaced my TalkTalk router with an equivalent of their own. Obviously, they haven't, yet have the gall to charge me the same amount as TalkTalk was for supposedly the same package. Not good, and certainly not acceptable. Now, I'm going to have to run around in circles with EE to try and get them to meet up to the standards they claim to have, and to give me what they should have done in the first place.

Sorry, but I really need some help here, and if you're unable to assist me, I'd appreciate it if you could direct me to the correct source to contact about this dreadful mess. Many thanks, Pat.

[XRaySpeX]

1. With the white EE Smart Router, unlike the black EE Smart Hub, you cannot separate the wireless bands/SSIDs. The most you can do is on the Advanced > Wireless Settings page to temporarily disable the 5 GHz band & move off the Smart channel while connecting problematic 2.4 GHz devices.
2. MAC Addys of devices shouldn't change when you swap routers. You could Lookup MAC Addresses  to see if they correspond to the correct manufacturers.
3. EE are under no obligation to supply a router to the same spec as you had before. They will just supply their current standard offering for that type of BB. However I doubt there is much diff between EE Smart Router & TT Super Router, e.g. they both support 802.11ac WiFi.

[Mustrum]

@Patricia55   If you log into the router and go to the advanced section then Wireless you should be able to see an option to switch off the 6Ghz wireless. Also on the 2.4Ghz band there is options for mode 1 - 2 - 3 which may also be tried if you are still unable to connect. 

I don't have a smart router, so not sure of the exact details - and have no idea about a Talk Talk router. The smart router however is meant to be the latest up to date router for all of the BT Group, so BT, EE and Plusnet. I prefer to use my own router as it gives me more options.

Changing ISP's is not as simple as you may think, and in your case Openreach would have had to change your line connection in the exchange and EE rely on them for availability. If a lot of people also change at the end of a month then it can cause delays.

HTH

[Patricia55]

Wow! Two prompt replies at the same time, thank you!
Okay, I'll look up that MAC Addresses link you've given me, after I've tried out disabling the 5GHz and setting up my indoor camera. I presume, once I've hopefully managed to do that, that I'll be able to re-enable the 5GHz afterwards, without it interfering with the 2GHz device?

Maybe EE are under no obligation to supply me with a router to the same spec as I had before, but they should have informed me that the new equipment would be inferior to my existing one. They did not. What they've given me is a router which doesn't function as well as my previous one, no matter what similarities both of them may have.

See you later, alligator, and thanks again. Pat

[Patricia55]

Hi, Mustrum. Thanks for that information, and I'll try that shortly.
The EE smart router can't be very up to date if it doesn't allow separation of the GHz functions, as well as still using HTTP.

Anyway, all I can do for now is try to get this awful router to function according to my needs. After that, I'm going to have to go through a whole rigmarole with EE to get an efficient router from them, or a reduction in the price of my package. EE should have informed me of the drop in standard which their offer entailed, especially as it wasn't even cheaper than my existing one with TalkTalk. Like a fool, I fell for the sweet talk on the phone, when I was setting up my new smartphone package with them.

Thanks again, and see you soon. Pat