This topic

Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

kwaker5 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 15:39:33 GMT

I just want a very basic TV package with the usual apps available on a TV box and the option to record, but all options now are £20+ per months for channels I do not want. If I cancel the EETV part of my BT Broadband package, will my BT box just be completely useless?

Thanks

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

Hunter2660 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 16:51:21 GMT

The box will continue to work as a basic Freeview PVR. The apps will continue as normal without a sub in place.

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

kwaker5 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 17:29:06 GMT

Thanks for the reply. BT told me it would no longer work. I am now wondering if they will want the box back though?

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

barnpiece — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 17:53:38 GMT

If you received the box with a BT TV contract after 13/12/2019 the box was only supplied on loan and has to be returned or you'll be charged.

They will ask for it back even if you got it before that date, but then you can keep it instead and ignore the request.

Richard

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

kwaker5 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 17:57:15 GMT

Thanks. Not sure when we got the box though. Presumably they will charge me if I don't return it though.

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

Ali_A — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 08:17:43 GMT

@kwaker5

If you have EE broadband or TV service, we'll email you instructions to return our EE equipment.

Please send it back within 30 days, otherwise we’ll have to charge you on your final bill.

You can find more information at How do I cancel my broadband, landline or TV plan?

Ali

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

kwaker5 — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 08:35:52 GMT

@Ali_A

Would BT/EE be able to check back in their records to when I first signed up and see if I paid for the box at the time?

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

gg30340 — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 08:52:19 GMT

@kwaker5

If you had the box prior to December 2019 you do not need to send it back. If you got it after that date or had it replaced after that date you need to return it.

https://www.bt.com/help/tv/how-to-return-and-recycle-your-bt-broadband-hub-and-bt-tv-box-fo

As far as I am aware BT never sold them as a stand alone item as you needed to take out the BT package which included the box.

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

Kimberlin — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 08:53:59 GMT

@kwaker5 To be honest you’d just be better off sending the box back to BT/EE and go out and buy your own set top box if that’s what you want. You can get a second hand one for less than 20 quid or a brand new one with PVR function for less than £25.

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

Ali_A — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 11:30:07 GMT

@kwaker5

Customer Service team will be able to check all the details for you. Including what you would need to do if you choose to cancel your EETV.

Ali

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

kwaker5 — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 11:41:56 GMT

@Ali_A

When I asked them originally, all they told me was that the box would no longer work, which I wasn't convinced was true and is the reason I posted here.

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

zulu17 — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 22:47:32 GMT

@kwaker5 that incorect response suggests that they haven't looked into your actual contract and account.

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

TimCurtis — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:49:57 GMT

@kwaker5

Customer Service "guides" are quite ignorant of facts. Even if they determine that you had the box prior to the date mentioned they'll quite possibly insist that the box must be returned but it's yours to keep.

If you've got the Pro box then yes you'll have to return it or be charged as that wasn't available until after December 2019.

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

kwaker5 — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:30:01 GMT

I took a look at the box and I think I have a BT TV Recordable Box G4. Any idea if they will want this back or whether it will work if I leave?

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

zulu17 — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:08:05 GMT

@kwaker5 BT normally apply the date based criteria in determining whether a non return fee would be charged, BT also would normally (as part their recycling policy) ask for return. Of course if you are the legal owner of the box it is optional to return.

Two simple ways of determine which box you have on working boxes is to open box HELP app and press I (nfo) button on remite and you get a About your Youview Box display or use the Box home page Settings >Information & Reset >Device Information

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

kwaker5 — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:33:06 GMT

Thanks, it's a Humax DTRT2100. Guessing it's the non4K recordable device listed at https://www.bt.com/help/tv/how-to-return-and-recycle-your-bt-broadband-hub-and-bt-tv-box-fo
So maybe I can just hold onto it for £89, assuming it works without a subscription. I don't expect BT/EE to enlighten me on this point!

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

gg30340 — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:36:53 GMT

Just keep the box and if works it works! If you get a bill for it you then send it back and BT will refund you.

Everything else has been repeatedly said so it's now up to you what you decide to do.

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

kwaker5 — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:52:14 GMT

Good plan, I will try that. Will report back on the outcome in a few weeks.

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

kwaker5 — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:57:54 GMT

I said I would report back! My box continued to work for about 4 weeks but then stopped. I have no idea whether this was a BT/EE switching off thing (probably) or it just broke. I tried resetting, etc. but nothing seems to work. It just switches between a youview loading screen and BT screen. I contacted Humax for advice (it is a DTRT2100 box) but they told me to contact BT/EE.

Re: Will my BT-TV box stop working if I cancel EETV?

Hunter2660 — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:50:04 GMT

Probably a hard drive failure. You could try installing a replacement drive, if your capable, but really it's not worth it. The 2100 is pretty ancient now (in tech terms), just send it back to BT.