cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
1,029 Views
Message 1 of 6

Whole home Wi-fi - cannot get scheduled bedtimes to work at all

We have BT broadband and use the Whole Home Wi-fi discs (4 of them) to boost the signal around the home. I've repeatedly tried to get the scheduled bedtimes to block groups of devices. so that we can get the kids to down screens at bedtime but it doesn't work at all. 

We bought WHW around 18 months ago and the bedtime scheduling has never worked. The only thing that _does_ work is if I manually select individual devices or groups of devices and 'pause' them. I can't find evidence that others are suffering so I'm assuming it's just me. 

Here are some of the things I've tried (multiple times):

  • disabling the guest network
  • resetting from factory defaults
  • avoiding the 'extra' 4th discs (as they came as a pack of thee plus one extra)
  • uninstalling and reinstalling BT Whole Home Wifi from my phone
  • setting bedtimes using GMT instead BST (i.e. subtracting an hour)

Nothing seems to work. The time for pausing groups of devices comes and goes but the devices stay happily connected to the wi-fi network and internet.

I should point out that when I set the schedules, these times are saved successfully. They just have no effect. I'm assuming it's me that's making a mistake somewhere as I can't find others complaining about it. Any help gratefully appreciated.

0 Ratings
Reply
5 REPLIES 5
1,001 Views
Message 2 of 6

Re: Whole home Wi-fi - cannot get scheduled bedtimes to work at all

You may not be making a mistake at all (I'm sure I'll be corrected about this if I'm wrong).  Many WiFi blocking "systems" identify devices by their MAC address.  This is fine provided the devices don't randomize their MAC address every time they log on to the network.  If they do randomize their MAC address, then the next time they log in, they'll not be blocked.  The solution isn't to stop the MAC addresses on individual devices from rotation, as I'm sure you'll find the kids can change the settings back just as easily as you can set them.

If this is what's happening - I don't have a solution!


I only learn by making mistakes and owning up to them - boy do I learn a lot!
994 Views
Message 3 of 6

Re: Whole home Wi-fi - cannot get scheduled bedtimes to work at all

Parenting by technology is doomed to failure

0 Ratings
Reply
980 Views
Message 4 of 6

Re: Whole home Wi-fi - cannot get scheduled bedtimes to work at all

Totally agree! Admitted failure ages ago. 🙂
0 Ratings
Reply
978 Views
Message 5 of 6

Re: Whole home Wi-fi - cannot get scheduled bedtimes to work at all

Thanks Crimliar - I'd thought of that too. The MAC addresses are static (for now). This is just a stop-gap until they figure out how to get round that. 🙂
0 Ratings
Reply
947 Views
Message 6 of 6

Re: Whole home Wi-fi - cannot get scheduled bedtimes to work at all

Don't be tempted by devices such as the Fingbox though.  These work through creatively abusing network protocols, and in my personal experience cause far worse than the issues they are attempting to solve.

The only babysitter I can think of that would be worse than the internet is Boris Johnson!


I only learn by making mistakes and owning up to them - boy do I learn a lot!
0 Ratings
Reply