BT Smart Hub 2 & Smart Lights Setup

simon.griggs

Having just spent a day going through various permutations, to try and get my smart lights to work with the new BT Smart Hub 2, I thought I would save a few others the pain that I went through by detailing the procedure that worked for me.

1.    First, turn off 5Ghz WiFi in the Smart Hub 2 as most Smart Bulbs are 2.4Ghz only. You can do that by going to Home, Advanced Settings, Advanced Wireless.

2.    In the same screen change the Mode to Mode 3.

3.    Save the changes.

4.    Setup your smart bulb device in whatever app you use. In my case it was Smart Life. Switch the bulb and wait for it to begin flashing, indicating it is in Pairing Mode.

5.    Add the new device, and after 30 seconds it should confirm that Smart Life has found it and is connecting to it.

6.    Check it works in the app and then change the BT Smart Hub 2 back to Mode 1 and turn on 5Ghz WiFi. You may have to do this in two steps saving the changes each time.

7.    Check your Smart Light still works after the router has made the changes. If not, go back and repeat steps 1 and 2. Check for operation before moving to the next step each time.

8.    That’s it, all should now be well.

I hope this helps someone.

[Deleted User]

I too spent ages in the setup process before I realised 5ghz needs disabling on the SH2. Do you use Google Home or Alexa with your light bulbs? I have 2 bulbs and 3 led strips now under voice control. Isn’t modern tech a wonderful thing. The mrs does wonder why we can’t just have normal bulbs and switches. The smart tech is definitely for my benefit 😊

Takmon

I always use an old iPad to setup smart devices which only work on 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi. The iPad only supports 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi so when setting them up using that it works without changing any settings on the router, if i used a modern device such as my mobile phone then i would have to do what you have detailed each time i add a new device. 

Marner

Excellent post, thank you.  I tried this as a last resort and setting the Wireless Mode to Mode 3 did the job.  Just disabling the 5Ghz frequency wasn't enough.

schmoo

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  My BT broadband was already split, and despite the fact that I was only using the 2.4 GHz band, had turned off BT's smart setup, reset my router, promised my hamster to Baal, and generally threatened the bulb, the router and anyone who made the mistake of coming near me, the smart light would not pair.  Followed your suggestion of switching to Mode 3, and it paired within seconds.  I have now changed everything back, apologised to my family, and I am now negotiating with Baal for the safe return of my hamster.

Tim_Boul_1

Many many thanks for posting this.
After spending days trying to get my new ceiling light to connect I was convinced it was broken and about to send it back. Switched to 2.4GHz on bt hub 2 but nothing in eze or AP modes. So frustrating! Switched to mode 3 (whatever that is???) and bingo. Straight in with the smart life app.
Amazes me how relatively new tech isn't somewhat backwards compatible and plug&play. Hey ho we live and learn. Mrs.T would have thrown it in the bin. Supplier not much help at all. BT forum neither.
Unit was a DaylightItalia switch...
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