Best BT Smart Hub Routers
Which is the best BT Router?
BT is the UK’s biggest broadband provider. Most providers give you a router for free when you first sign up for one of their broadband deals. BT has a couple of different routers to choose from– the Smart Hub and the Smart Hub 2 are the newest – and they are some of the best routers out there at the moment. Let’s see which ones take the cake and how you can troubleshoot your router.
BT Smart Hub Routers
The two best routers from BT are the most up to date ones: the Smart Hub and the Smart Hub 2. Let’s have a look at what they have to offer.
Smart Hub router
- Next generation Wi-Fi – The Smart Hub uses the latest wireless standard (802.11ac) to deliver the fastest Wi-Fi speeds possible
- Smart channel selection – The Smart Hub automatically connects your devices to the fastest Wi-Fi channel and frequency available
- Smart scan – The router continually checks your network connection as well as its own performance and automatically reboots if there’s a problem
- Dual band – Like many modern routers, the Smart Hub uses both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
- Four gigabit Ethernet ports – The Smart Hub has four gigabit Ethernet ports, so you can use a wired connection for up to four devices
- Seven antennae – The Hub has seven aerials, which is more than previous BT routers
- LEDs can be switched off – The little things matter, and not all of us want a display of blue lights constantly flashing in the corner of the room
Smart Hub 2
The Smart Hub 2 has all the features of the Smart Hub with a couple of additions.
- DECT phone compatible – The Smart Hub 2 supports Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), a new digital standard for landline phones
- Complete Wi-Fi – This is the major difference for most people. If you want BT Complete Wi-Fi, which uses a disc to give you better Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home, you’ll need to get the Smart Hub 2
So it’s fair to say that the Smart Hub 2 is the best option that 2021 has so far!
How to return your old router
It is free to return BT equipment. BT send you a return bag for posting, and they refurbish or reuse the old routers. It’s important to remember that BT will charge you if you keep equipment after your contract is up. If you end up cancelling or want to exchange routers, you will get a refund for the amount if you return within two years. If your account is closed, BT sends a cheque to your last known address.
BT Router Settings
Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide that should help you fix minor issues with your router.
Login into your BT Smart Hub Router
- To login to BT Smart Hub Router, Open your web browser and type the default IP Address 192.168.1.254in the address bar.
- You should now see the router login page with 2 text fields where you can type in your username and a password
- The default username for your BT Smart Hub router is admin and the default password is Printed On the Routers Label
- In the login page of the router's web user interface, Enter the username & password, hit "Login" and now you should see the BT Smart Hub router control panel
BT Hub Lights Guide
Each BT hub has lights, and each model has different signals using these lights.
For the BT Smart Hub two, here’s a table detailing all colours:
| Light status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Your Hub is connected to your broadband ok | If you can't get online, it might be your device. Try switching your device off and on. |
| No light | The power is off or the lights have been turned off using the Hub Manager | Check that the Hub is plugged in, switched on and that its lights haven't been turned off in the Hub Manager. If this doesn't fix your issue, contact us. |
| Green | Your Hub is starting up | Wait for at least three minutes for it to turn blue. If it stays green, turn your Hub off and on again. If the light still doesn't turn blue, use a paper clip to press your Hub's factory reset button. If this doesn't fix your issue, please contact us. |
| Flashing orange | Your Hub is connecting to broadband | Give it at least three minutes to connect. The light will turn blue when your Hub is ready. |
| Flashing purple | Your Hub is working but the broadband cable isn't connected | Check if the broadband cable (grey ends) is plugged in correctly. And if you're using a filter, check that's plugged in correctly too. |
| Orange | Your Hub is working but isn't connected to the internet | Connect a device to your Hub. Open a new web browser window and follow the on-screen help wizard to get connected. |
| Red | There's a problem somewhere | Using the Power button, turn your Hub off and on again. If the light still doesn't turn blue, use a paper clip to press your Hub's factory reset button. If this doesn't fix your issue, please contact us. |
| WPS button flashing | If it's flashing blue, it's waiting for you to press the WPS button on your computer or device (you've got two minutes). If it's flashing red, it didn't connect - give it a couple of minutes and try again. |
BT Router common problems
Flashing Purple Light
This means the Hub is working but isn't connected to the internet. Check your cable and make sure it is activated.
Flashing Orange Light
This means the Hub is connecting to broadband - this takes about 30 seconds. It will turn blue once connected.
Green Light
This means your Hub is starting up. Give it a couple of minutes to turn blue.
Connection Problems
The first tip: turn it on and off again. Restarting your hub will resolve most issues. ress the Power button on the back until all the lights go off and wait for 5 minutes. Press the Power button again until all the lights come back on. It may take a few minutes for the lights to settle.
There might be a temporary problem with the network or planned outage that's affecting every broadband connection in your area, so check BT’s service status online.
You can try making a phone call if you have a landline and see if there’s any noise. If you can’t make a call, the issue could be your landline.
Fibre customers might have an Openreach modem installed. This is a white box that connects to your BT Hub.
Many fibre connection issues can be resolved by power cycling the modem – turning it off and on again in a controlled way. You can find out how to do this through videos on Youtube or the BT website.
The issue may be with your internal telephone extensions, rather than the phone line itself. One way to check this is by connecting your Hub to your test socket.
The test socket is your main socket. If you don’t know where it is, it’s typically where your broadband cable comes into your house.
BT Customer Service
If you are still having issues, you can text HELP, followed by your landline number to 61998. They then investigate the problem and send out an engineer if needed. A customer care agent will also call you on the day to assist.
Are you a BT customer?
Value your experience as a customer to help other people
Personas que han participado en este post:
