This topic

BT Extender Flex 600

Longshanks — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 18:54:52 GMT

Hi All

Had previously been using above to get decent tinternet on desktop pc in bedroom. (Two units, with master plugged into router downstairs and slave connected via Ethernet to pc) This set up has been great for months, providing about 80mbps download.

I was persuaded to invest in another pair of extenders, with assurance they’d happily co-exist with the existing ones) The other two were needed for smart tv in main bedroom (**bleep** and erratic WiFi) and son’s PS5 in his bedroom. I’ve finally paired following manual, but they seem to have thrown a spanner in works with the existing set up.

Specifically, the unit that was connected to the desktop pc is no longer connected. (Data light off) I’ve tried restarting unit and pc to no avail. The only thing I can think of is the proximity of the sockets in the two adjacent bedrooms, albeit one at ground level and the other about 5ft up the wall.

Has anyone experienced, and overcome, these issues when adding extenders like this?

Thanks

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

licquorice — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 19:02:22 GMT

Just to be clear, you can only add additional slaves, you don't add a second master as that will not work.

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Longshanks — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 19:47:48 GMT

The units are identical, so when you say slave/master, guess you’re referring to where they are connected? Only one unit connected to downstairs router, with expectation of running three slaves in bedrooms. (Previously just the one)

I followed the process on the manual to the letter. (Adding additional units etc) The unit previously working fine with desktop no longer has internet access. (No light on data)

Just the connection to the smart tv provides enough material for a conference. I had to set it as WiFi, rather than wired. The speed is now 50 ish, which is twice as fast as it was when previous WiFi only. I can’t figure out whether this is some sort of enhanced WiFi using the power lines? (Might be, as no data light agsin)

I thought these would show up as wired devices when connected?

Thanks

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Longshanks — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 13:21:56 GMT

Update. Appears that addition of two new slave extenders caused master (plugged into router) to lose connection-no data light). Tried restoring factory settings, swapping over router, ethernet all to no avail.

Whats even more surreal is that I now can’t get my original two extenders to connect. (Same problem-green light on power and ethernet, but no data)

It’s like there’s been some sort of seismic electrical event that’s caused them to have a nervous breakdown!

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Les-Gibson — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 13:47:45 GMT

Try doing a factory reset on all four units, choose one to be the master and then add the others to that one at a time.

Keep the units as close as possible during pairing, the same twin socket if possible

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Longshanks — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 13:59:29 GMT

Thanks for helpful response. I’ve tried factory reset on a few of the units, but will do all of em. The process is to hold the link for 15 seconds, but that doesn’t always cause all the lights to disappear and reset. You therefore don’t know if they’ve reset or not.

Re pairing close to each other… Do you mean initially position slave 1 next to master to pair, then 2, 3, then position slaves in bedrooms?

Lastly- link button a bit of a mystery. Seems you only need to use this to reset, or ironically, when you add additional extenders. (Did this, and rest is history)

Regards

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Les-Gibson — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 14:12:47 GMT

Do you have the wi-fi hotspot variant or just the straight forward extender ? the procedure for factory reset is slightly different for each type

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Longshanks — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 14:30:16 GMT

Just the basic extenders. Process for reset is press link for 15 secs, wait for data and power to go off, power then comes back on. When I try, data is already off (see above) and power doesn’t always go off/on after 15 secs.

Also grateful if you could clarify pairing process. (Query in my last post)

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Les-Gibson — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:06:28 GMT

I just wanted to make sure I had all the facts before answering your questions.

I think the answer to the problem lies in the first line of message 6, it's not a case of holding the link button in for 15 seconds and then waiting for the LEDs' to go out, you need to hold it for a minimum of 15 seconds AND wait for them to go out before releasing the button.

I've always had most success in pairing them when they are plugged into the same twin wall power outlet, neither of them need a connection to the router for pairing.

So,

Factory reset all 4 units
Choose one to act as the master, plug that and one of the other units into the twin socket and pair them.
Leaving the one chosen to act as the master powered up, unplug the other one and repeat step 1 until all four are paired at which point it no longer matters which is master or slave.
Place wherever necessary, it may take a minute or so for all four to become active

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Longshanks — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:18:18 GMT

Many thanks. V helpful and clear. I’m WFH at moment, so will try later this evening. May I just ask three quickies?

Should the data light appear on each of the units once they’ve reset?

When pairing, do I need to have the slaves connected via ethernet? (Guess master has your be connected to router?)

Do I need to use the link button at all during pairing? (Manual suggest not)

Much appreciated.

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Les-Gibson — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:40:24 GMT

@Longshankswrote:
Many thanks. V helpful and clear. I’m WFH at moment, so will try later this evening. May I just ask three quickies?
Should the data light appear on each of the units once they’ve reset?
Once you have distributed the units to wherever you want them to go and one has a connection to the router then the Power and Data LEDs' should light up after a short delay while they negotiate a connection (see step 2 of the manual)

When pairing, do I need to have the slaves connected via ethernet? (Guess master has your be connected to router?)
As stated in my previous message, neither of them need a connection to the router for pairing.
Do I need to use the link button at all during pairing? (Manual suggest not)
If I understand your messages correctly you currently have two pairs of extenders which were purchased at different times, the factory reset will reset the pairings as they were when they left the factory so, if you can identify them in their pairs, the unit that came with the one you chose as master should automatically work without further ado.
The other two will have to be paired to the one chosen as the master following the "How to add more Powerline extenders to your existing network" routine in the user manual.

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Longshanks — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Noted re first two responses.

Yep, I’ve left the first two units in their original sockets. RU saying that the “original slave” should automatically work its respective master without resetting and pairing? (I tried to revive these after removing the new kids on the block, but couldn’t get them to pair again)

I’ll try and connect the new ones using the manual process. (Didn’t work first time around)

Just getting confused, as manual process seems to be:

1. Don’t need link button to pair first two extenders.

2. Need only when adding extras into mix?

Cheers

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Les-Gibson — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 17:21:38 GMT

There's no such thing as a master and slave with regard to these units, it's just terminology which most people can relate to and therefore simplifies explanations.

If we regard the contents of each box as one master unit and one slave unit then the two units that come in the same box should automatically communicate with each other without any need for pairing or anything else but the two units in one box (lets call them the new ones that you have recently bought) will not automatically communicate with the other pair (the existing pair of units), you need to follow the "How to add more Powerline extenders to your existing network of the user manual to achieve that.

The problem is that if the original network (the two existing extenders) aren't talking to one another then any attempt to add additional units is doomed to failure, hence the need for the factory reset on all four units, so that you can start with what should then be four good working adapters

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Longshanks — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 17:43:06 GMT

Sorted. Key was pairing all three “slaves” in same double socket as existing one. (Master in this case) It’s mentioned in the manual, but I assumed that limited slave to that location.

Only problem we now have is green lights in bedroom while trying to sleep. I wonder if you can switch socket off without upsetting the Apple cart, so to speak?

Many thanks for your time and knowledge.

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Les-Gibson — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:01:03 GMT

A strip of insulation tape over the front will put paid to the LEDs

Re: BT Extender Flex 600

Longshanks — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:55:59 GMT

Noted. Ta