Problems with SmartHubs since last week

matelodave

Anyone else had a problem with their SmartHubs since last week. On Friday I noticed that all my stuff using 2.4ghz wifi (security cameras, Kindles, Raspberry PI, mobile phone etc) stopped communicating with the internet as did the stuff connected to my powerline network, It wont talk to the TV or SKY Q box  at all on either 2.4 or 5ghz. This was on my Smarthub, so I got out my SmartHub2 and it was the same - no comms to the internet on 2.4 or through the ethernet ports

However our laptops which use the 5Ghz channel worked normally as does my Galaxy Tab 2 and we still get 76mbit/s download speeds. After lots of faffing it appears that BT updated the firmware on the SH2 on Friday 21st May.(no evidence of any updates on the older SH since April 2020). We are on FTTP and it's been rock solid ever since April 2018 when it was installed.

A long chat with BT tech in both Dublin and Newcastle, together with some button pushing and resetting (both by me and them) has determined that as they dont have a clue whats happening there's now probably summat wrong with my SH2 and they are going to send me a new one. However it is strange that there is a similar problem with both routers.

Just a pointer for anyone else who's suddenly found that their network has gone a bit awry. (my new SH2 firmware is v0.26.04.04227-BT and got uploaded on 21st May 2012) I'll update this thread when the new one arrives to see if it solves the problem.

ann_droid

Hi
I use a Wi-Fi scanner/analyser to double check my connections, Android and PC.
Belt and Braces....

matelodave

So do I and I can see both 2.4 and 5ghz wifi channels, the problem being that stuff on 2.4 and on the ethernet ports isn't getting through to the WAN, only connections on 5ghz.
Things like my printer, surveillance camera's, a couple of power monitors, Kindle, mobile phone, Raspberry Pi etc seem to be connecting to the router but not seeing the internet whereas my Galaxy Tab2, both our laptops and my wife's mobile phone which operate on 5ghz can. I've also got stuff using powerline which has also lost access to the internet and the router cannot even see them anymore.
BT Tech have had a root around in the router - they can see everything thats connected to it, look at it's configuration, reset it, reconfigure it and do a host of other stuff from the comfort of their desks in either Belfast or Newcastle but even they couldn't fathom out what was going on.

Everything was fine on Thursday 20th May but it all went to pot on Friday 21st.

If a replacement router doesn't solve the problem I shall buy myself something else from an independant supplier (if nothing else it will reduce the ability of BT to grovel around in the router is going and stop them from sending out updates whether I want them or not)

southsidergs

There are ongoing issues with this, following link from a newspaper as follows - BT broadband having issues? You're not alone as glitch confirmed | Express.co.uk

matelodave

southsidergs said:

There are ongoing issues with this, following link from a newspaper as follows - BT broadband having issues? You're not alone as glitch confirmed | Express.co.uk

I'm suspecting that it's the "fix" thats caused the problem as it was fine before the "upgrade" last week

molerat

Have you split the 2.4 and 5 channels ?

matelodave

It cant be done on the SH2, you can turn one or other off or on but you cant split them.- it one of the major criticisms of the SH2. I can do it on the SH1 and I have but that is exhibiting the same problem - 2.4ghz is just not communicating with the internet whereas 5ghz is fine it's as though bridging between the 2.4, 5 and ethernet ports on the LAN side has failed and only 5ghz is communication through to the WAN. 

I can log-into the router using 5ghz but not with a cable nor with 2.4ghz so it's a real mystery. All my 2.4ghz stuff lost connection to the router and wasn't even visible for a while - one or two of tham have reconnected to the router(my mobile phone has and so will my laptop if I force it) but they just won't communicate with the internet and I can't get the camera's or printers to either log on or even see the router - its a real mystery.

[Deleted User]

Put it in the bin or sell it on eBay for £30 because that's all that piece of junk is worth and buy a proper router with separate modem that you can control without being at the mercy of dodgy firmware updates from BT and call centre operators that can remotely connect to it - massive security risk in itself if somebody external can connect and configure your router.

Buy an Asus RT86U and a Draytek Vigor130 (or 166 to future proof for G-fast) and you will never regret it (other routers and modems are available ).

Chino

Deleted_User said:

(or 166 to future proof for G-fast)

Buying something for that reason would likely be money wasted:
Openreach Put the Brakes on Future UK G.fast Broadband Plans

matelodave

I dont need compatibility with G.fast as I've got fibre to the premises already

I'm tempted to get something like the Honor 3 or Huawei AX3 as they've probably got sufficient functionality for my needs, they are wifi 6 compatible and they are very inexpensive.

matelodave

Update - got my new router yesterday. It got the new firmware dumped on it this morning and its just as bad. had a shufti at the BT Customer Forum and there's 750 complaints about the Smart Hub 2 and five pages worth in the past week or so on this very subject. They have a lot of disgruntled customers.

My Huawei AX3 should be delivered on Wednesday