WiFi Extender 6 Plus with ASUS WiFi 7 router and NextDNS

[yak2]

Hi,

I've been with BT/EE Broadband for several years and use my own ASUS router (RT-BE58U) so I can apply NextDNS settings at router level for privacy and parental controls across all connected devices.

I'm moving to a larger property soon, so I ordered a Smart WiFi 6 Plus extender (SW30A) from EE. However, I can't get it to set up with the ASUS, either via WPS or over a wired connection. The light stays amber throughout.

Before ordering, I checked with EE customer service (twice!) and was told the extenders work with third-party routers.

Has anyone got one of these working with a non-EE router, and if so, what steps am I missing? I do have my EE Smart Hub available if it's needed for initial setup, but ideally I'd like the ASUS to stay as the main router with the extender meshing from it.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

[XRaySpeX]

I think this is the 1st time I've heard this tried. I would not be surprised if EE Smart WiFi Extenders do not work with 3rd-party routers as they don't even work with EE Smart Hubs of a diff type. They don't mix & match but must be used with the EE Smart Hub of the same type. In this case only with the EE Smart Hub 6 Plus (SH30A, SH31B or SH32B). 

Didn't EE supply you with a EE Smart Hub 6 Plus? If so, can't you set its DNS to NextDNS?

[yak2]

That's what I suspected -- and was surprised they were so emphatic that they'd work with third party routers!

I do have a Smart Hub Plus but as far as I could tell you can't set custom DNS? Do tell me if that's wrong.

[XRaySpeX]

Which model of Smart Hub 6 Plus?

You'll find it on Home > Advanced settings > My network > IPv4 Config > DNS > Auto = YES

[bobpullen]

@yak2 - the extenders are definitely not designed to work with third party equipment so unsurprising it doesn't work. As @XRaySpeX has suggested though, it is possible to configure the EE hub to use third party DNS addresses.

[JimM11]

@yak2 Asus RP-BE58, that is what you require to go along with your RT-BE58U.

[yak2]

Thanks @XRaySpeX  and @bobpullen -- now that I've had a look at the EE Smart Hub SH31B settings, I remember have gone down this route (pardon the pun) and tried changing the IPv4 settings to use NextDNS's servers via LinkedIP.

The Smart Hub does indeed let me set those custom DNS IPs, but they don't take with NextDNS. They show as working for a few seconds, and then revert back to saying 'This device is currently using “British Telecommunications PLC” as its DNS resolver.' My assumption is that the router overrides those custom settings.

[yak2]

Thanks @JimM11  -- had hoped to get away with not having to purchase additional new kit myself, but looks like it might be unavoidable. 😅

[JimM11]

@yak2 EE extender might work with your EE Smart Hub, that is without a doubt the only way it's going to work, Asus is just not going to like it at all. You could also drop back to the Asus RP-AX58, little bit cheaper price wise.

[Timbo45]

@yak2 

As you've got an Asus router then the best option is another Asus router/extender that'll work in the Asus mesh.

I've a 2 node Asus mesh using 2 second hand Asus RT-AX routers and it works great. I spent a total of about £50 for an RT-AX56U and an RT-AX52. These are both wifi 6 and as I've no wifi 7 devices this is fine but even so I can get in excess of 500mbps over wifi in most areas of my large 1926 house. Both these nodes are hardwired but would work quite well if using the wifi backhaul instead.