EE Smart Hub plus stops some apps running on Amazon firestick

vigman

I have been advised that my old copper connection will be upgraded to fibre soon. In preparation for that I have received the new smart hub which EE advise having running in preparation for the change over

The Wi-Fi talks to all connected devices, except when I try and run Netflix (and other streaming apps) on the firestick when the streaming content fails to run.

Before going further, I am a Chartered IT Professional with special skills in networking issues.

So I read all the possible solutions online and the fact that both IPv6 (which you can’t toggle off on this hub), dual band networks and DHCP issues cause problems with this pairing.

I have spent hours trying various combinations including full factory resets and multiple reboots and many configurations.

The nearest I have got is by creating a named compatible network on 2.4ghz running on IPv4. Nearest being that Netflix opens and the selected programme name appears as a static banner on the screen not just a list of Netflix server errors!

Has anyone else had similar problems and have they found a way to solve this please? (Direct Ethernet connection is not practical, although when I tried this, the Ethernet connection failed to show on the firestick)

The only thing I haven’t done is giving the firestick a fixed IP address in the compatible network

TIA

PS I am now thinking of cancelling the change from copper to fibre as everything works as it should even though I very seldom give up on a technical challenge

The_Unready

Can you successfully stream Netflix on any other devices, such as a Smart TV, via the EE Hub?

flaneurs_lobster

What router were you running before? Which router have EE supplied? Which model of Firestick?

vigman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82102664#Comment_82102664

Thanks. No smart TV but Netflix runs successfully on Wi-Fi connected devices via the new router like my iPad.

vigman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82102666#Comment_82102666

Running an old EE / Orange Brightbox router. New one is Smart Hub SH31b. Firestick is TV Stick 4k (1st generation). Thanks

flaneurs_lobster

Not a solution but maybe a quick fix - that router is some years old, EE have recently released new models, specifically the Smart Hub 7 Plus. Bit surprised they are still supplying the older one.

You could ask nicely if they'll let you have one of these instead?

Most online searches are saying (not very helpfully) hard reset the firestick and turn off the 5GHz band on the router.

EDIT : That Firestick is 7 years old, albeit it's still supported, might just be temperamental with new kit.

Thought about running the Brightbox as a Wi-fi hub hanging off the new router - or is that just silly?

john1

I asked AI for a solution and it came up with an answer but the forum rules do not permit AI so if you have access try AI

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82102811#Comment_82102811

I looked at that reply before it got zapped - seemed like good suggestions to me.

Would the forum rules allow you to post your query and say which AI you directed it at?

john1

I use Google AI pro (free 12 months with a Chromebook ) The query was your all your initial text

flaneurs_lobster

One thought, Firestick powered from power supply and not TV USB port?

john1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82103190#Comment_82103190

Correct Ensure the Fire Stick is powered by the mains plug, not a TV USB port, as the Ethernet adapter draws more current than a standard TV USB port provides