Connecting a Hub 6 with a third party WiFi extender for a Hue Bridge

[exiledutchboy]

I am looking for troubleshooting suggestions to resolve issues that a third party WiFi range extender has with the BT Hub 6. Firstly, I am not the account holder of the BT account but I merely rent the use of the connection. I do own many smart devices and have Phillips lighting that needs to be connected to an Access Point via an ethernet connection. 

The issue I have is that the BT Hub 6 access point is not possible to be close to the Phillips Hue Bridge so I need an additional access point. I have a TP-Link AC1200 Mesh WiFi Extender RE305 but it has IP configuration errors where it is unable to stay connected with the BT Hub 6. I have reset the TP-Link many times and setup different credentials that are identical to the Hub 6, using the same password on the extender, changing the passwords and using different names. It does not stay connected with the Hub 6. Sometimes the Range Extender can go many weeks and months until it encounters a IP configuration error and other times it goes down on a daily occurrence.

It is highly annoying as the Range Extender needs to be a permanent access point for my Hue Bridge and if it goes down then I cannot access my lighting. I would like a solution so I can setup a access point that will work with the Hub 6. 

I do have admin access to the BT Hub 6 but as I am not the account holder or bill payer I am reluctant to make changes without permission unless I know it is not going to have an effect on other users. Is there a way I can make a third party Range Extender work or do I have to purchase a new one?

[naylor2006]

These booster/Range Extenders are pretty simple devices in their nature, IE you just give it the SSID and Password of the network you want to boost, it reboots and provides that same network SSID usually with _EXT after it, devices can then connect to the extended network. 

Things I would make sure:

1: On the TP Link make sure the Network Settings are set to "Obtain IP Address Automatically"

2: On the BT Hub 6 give the TP Link extender a STATIC ip address by making its existing assignment static

Ive never used a BT Hub 6 but the below might help you do step 2

BT HUB 6 - How to Assign Static IP Address - YouTube

Lastly, if you can get an ethernet cable to the BT Hub perhaps purchase a Wireless Access Point and hook it in directly, then you can run you own WIFI.

[exiledutchboy]

Thanks for the YouTube video.

It appears to be assigned a static IP and the Extender came back online when I turned it off so I am happy it is working.

[naylor2006]

Which bit did you change?

[chrisjp]

"It is highly annoying as the Range Extender needs to be a permanent access point for my Hue Bridge and if it goes down then I cannot access my lighting."

Yes, it must be annoying not being able to operate your lights. Personally, though, I prefer the old fashinoned way of using the light switches on my walls!

[exiledutchboy · Accepted solution]

I went into the Smart Hub Manager to change the settings for the TP Link RE305 by togging on the 'Always use this IP address'

 

[naylor2006]

You mean it set to on now or off?