Wireless LAN connectivity issues after EE broadband upgrade

[nickjdavis]

So...last Thursday my parents had their broadband upgraded, including the provision of a new EE Smart Hub SH31B.

Since the hub upgrade they have been able to connect all of their devices to the new Hub with the exception of 1 PC....this PC simply does not see the SSID of the wireless network. All other phone devices, iPads, laptops and another PC see the SSID and connect accordingly. The PC can see other WiFi networks and if my dad sets up a mobile phone as a WiFi Hub the PC can see this network and connect to it. The PC is quite old (7 maybe 8 years) and has an 802.11n WLAN card.

With my guidance, over the phone he has tried a number of things, including setting up a "Compatible Network" which allegedly helps with older devices connecting.

Before I spend an hour driving up there tomorrow complete with LAN cable to at least get connectivity back on this PC.....has anyone come across this issue before where the SSID is not visible to a single device, any ideas how it might be resolved?....its not as though the device is far from the Hub....maybe 6ft.

Is it simply possible that the old WLAN card is simply not compatible with the new WiFi6 "standard"?

 

[PIng]

Is your new hub broadcasting 2.4 and 5GHz as well? If, for example, your PC only works with 2.4GHz and this is turned off on the hub then it won't see any networks

 

[RichA]

What PIng says is likely.
My wifi is 5GHz by default. I had to log into its admin settings and create a separate 2.4GHz network for a couple of our devices.
It's not difficult but might be tricky for a complete non-techy.

 

[nickjdavis]

The hub is broadcasting both 2.4 and 5GHz....this is what my initial thought was that the issue might be.

Other devices connect using the 2.4GHz network....we've tried turning the 5GHz network off and running only 2.4GHz....no joy with the errant PC but all other devices see the SSID.

We set up a "Compatible Network" as described in EE literature that might help older devices to connect....ran the alternative network in 2.4GHz, 5Ghz modes, both at the same time....zip...nothing...nada.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

The hub is broadcasting both 2.4 and 5GHz....this is what my initial thought was that the issue might be.

Other devices connect using the 2.4GHz network....we've tried turning the 5GHz network off and running only 2.4GHz....no joy with the errant PC but all other devices see the SSID.

We set up a "Compatible Network" as described in EE literature that might help older devices to connect....ran the alternative network in 2.4GHz, 5Ghz modes, both at the same time....zip...nothing...nada.

is the PC seeing any SSID network names at all (neighbours? )

 

[HampshireHog]

Try the windows device diagnose and fix option.

Try and connect it to a phone

Buy a WI-FI dongle thingy.

 

[GreiginFife]

Check if the router security has been defaulted to WPA3.

If it is, it should let you change it to WPA2/TKIP. Not as secure but old hardware won’t be WPA3 compatible.

 

[nickjdavis]

is the PC seeing any SSID network names at all (neighbours? )

Yes...and it sees my dad's mobile phone when set up as a hot-spot.

 

[nickjdavis]

Check if the router security has been defaulted to WPA3.

If it is, it should let you change it to WPA2/TKIP. Not as secure but old hardware won’t be WPA3 compatible.

It is WPA3 but there did not appear to be any way to change it within the router. Has a drop down arrow but when selected there are no other options.

 

[GreiginFife]

It is WPA3 but there does not appear to be any way to change it within the router. Has a drop down arrow but when selected there are no other options.

Suspect that’s your culprit there. Old hardware isn’t compatible with the security standard and so won‘t see the network.

 

[GreiginFife]

If you can change WiFi mode to Wifi5 then it might let you select WPA2

 

[nickjdavis]

If you can change WiFi mode to Wifi5 then it might let you select WPA2

Cheers...will have a go tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Cheers...will have a go tomorrow and see what happens.

Believe it’s in wireless security on the hub

There it should allow to change to WPA2

 

[GreiginFife]

Believe it’s in wireless security on the hub

There it should allow to change to WPA2

Had a look on my BT hub, if it’s set to Wifi6 it won’t allow WPA2.

I think it’s the same company that make the routers for BT/EE.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Had a look on my BT hub, if it’s set to Wifi6 it won’t allow WPA2.

I think it’s the same company that make the routers for BT/EE.

On the advanced - wireless page it should allow you to go to WiFi 5

Some hubs you may have to enable compatibility mode

 

[GreiginFife]

On the advanced - wireless page it should allow you to go to WiFi 5

Some hubs you may have to enable compatibility mode

Yeah, that was what I was saying to Nick, change it to Wifi5 and try WPA2.

 

[HowlingGale]

Ha. Had this exact problem earlier. Upgraded today to Vodafone fibre and everything has connected except the PS 4. The old broadband is still in situ and the PS 4 was working with that. Tried a number of things which didn't work, then did a reboot of the new router and did a manual setup of the WiFi which involves a wee bit more info than the 'easy' setup. It seemed to connect so not sure if it was the reboot or manual setup of the WiFi connection.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Yeah, that was what I was saying to Nick, change it to Wifi5 and try WPA2.

Think some of the newer models with the updated firmware may stop it from going back to WiFi 5 though

 

[GreiginFife]

Think some of the newer models with the updated firmware may stop it from going back to WiFi 5 though

Might be the case. My hub was replaced in November (again I know it’s a BT one) and it does allow change to 4 or 5 but its also showing as pending a firmware update that I am loathe to install as my CNC laptop is ancient.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Can you not hardwire it?