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BT Whole Home Wi-Fi FAQs - Set-up and installation

 

Can I connect more than one disc to my hub (router) using the Ethernet cables?

Yes, you can locate a disc a long distance from your hub (router) - for example, in an outbuilding - and have an Ethernet cable connection back to your hub (router). Just plug in the cable in the disc’s RJ45 socket and it'll join your Whole Home WiFi network.

 

Can I connect a device (for example, printer or games console) to the Ethernet port of the Whole Home WiFi discs?

Your first disc will use the Ethernet port to connect to your hub (router). On the other discs you can use the Ethernet port to connect other wired devices to the network.

 

What is the range of the Whole Home WiFi discs?

The range of the discs can vary significantly depending on the operating environment and the location. Range will vary depending on obstructions (such as walls and electrical equipment) and interference from other wi-fi devices.

 

Where are the best places for my Whole Home WiFi discs?

The Whole Home WiFi app gives location tips and lets you test different locations for your discs.

In general, you want to position your discs approximately halfway between the first disc and the area you're looking to get WiFi coverage.

Safety instructions and care

Installation and location

  • For indoor use only
  • Position all parts, including power adapters, away from heat and sun (for example, away from radiators, window sills or other electrical equipment that can get hot)
  • Keep area ventilated (for example, don’t put in cupboards or behind sofas) and don’t block any vents with objects or thick carpets
  • Keep cables out of young children's reach
  • Only use power adapters provided by BT for this specific device. Contact the BT helpdesk if you need a replacement
  • Electronic devices hate liquids: don’t place devices and power adapters where it's damp or near sources of water or splashes
  • Product may cause scratches or marks if placed on fragile surfaces (for example, veneered wood or delicate fabrics). Place on a mat if needed
  • Designed for use at room temperatures between 0 and 40°C

Care and maintenance

  • Dust with a soft dry cloth - don’t use water or solvent
  • Regularly check that objects don’t cover any parts or any vents that could cause overheating

Warnings

  • If your devices or power adapters appear damaged, stop using them immediately. Switch off your electrical socket if it's safe to do so and contact the BT helpdesk
  • Don’t attempt to open your devices or power adapters. There are no serviceable parts and opening them poses a risk of electrical shock
  • This device has been evaluated for and shown to be compliant with European Guidelines when installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20cm

Premium Whole Home WiFi & Whole Home WiFi 6 

In the unlikely event that a disc gets too hot, it will turn off automatically. Press the power button on the back of the disc to switch the disc off. Wait until the disc has cooled down before turning back on.

 

How do I add a new disc?

Please follow the instructions in the add-on disc user guide for your Whole Home Wi-Fi product and then follow the installation process as shown in the app.

Whole Home WiFi add-on disc user guide

Mini Whole Home WiFi add-on disc user guide

Premium Whole Home WiFi add-on disc user guide

Whole Home WiFi 6 add-on disc user guide

Can I use the WPS button on my discs to connect my devices (laptop, smartphone and so on)?

Yes, on the rear of the case press the WPS WiFi setup button for about one second. The LED will flash blue slowly. Within two minutes, follow the instructions on your device to connect.

 

Does Whole Home WiFi show all discs as a single network?

All discs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz use the same Network name (SSID), so most devices will see it as a single network. A small handful of devices will list the discs separately as the discs have a different BSSID or MAC address.

This also applies if you turn on the Guest Network, when the same Guest Network name (SSID) will be used for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

 

My LEDs are too bright on the discs, can I adjust them or turn them off?

If you're using Whole Home WiFi, Premium Whole Home WiFi or Whole Home WiFi 6; from the app's 'Settings' tab, select LED brightness, and then choose between Off, Medium or High by tapping the appropriate setting.

If you're using Mini Whole Home WiFi, from the app's 'Settings' tab, select LED brightness, and then choose between Off or On.

Please note: for all Whole Home W-Fi models, even when set to Off, the LED will still show you any flashing light or if it's solid purple or solid red.

 

What do the LED colours mean?

Blue
Status

Good WiFi or Ethernet cable connection

Action
No action required
Blue - flashing fast (every half second)
Status

Connecting to Whole Home WiFi network

Action
No action required - disc will connect in approximately 15 seconds
Blue - flashing slow (every two seconds)
Status
WPS mode
Action

Within two minutes of pressing the disc’s WPS WiFi Setup button, press the WPS button on the device you wish to connect

Orange
Status
Poor connection
Action

Ideally, try moving the disc closer to the one disc connected directly to your hub (router). But if you can’t move it, don’t worry, your disc will work OK.
For further troubleshooting and support see What does the orange LED on the disc mean?

Red
Status
No connection
Action

First check the Ethernet connection from your hub (router). Try moving the disc closer to the one connected directly to your hub (router). Try restarting your Whole Home WiFi. You can do this from the Settings menu or manually turn each disc off then on.

If after attempting to add a new add-on disc to your network, the LED is permanently red, please see I can't install an add-on disc. The LED is permanently red and the new disc doesn't appear in the app.

Purple
Status

Whole Home WiFi disc starting

Action
No action required - it takes approximately 60 seconds to fully turn on. The LED will then flash blue for a few seconds whilst it connects, before turning solid blue.
Purple - flashing
Status
Firmware upgrading
Action

While the LED is flashing purple, don't turn off your WiFi discs - the LED will turn solid purple then solid blue when finished.

Green - flashing ( Mini Whole Home WiFi only)

Status
New disc is syncing
Action
The light should change to blue after about a minute

Alternating Red/Blue flashing (Whole Home WiFi 6 & Premium only)

Status

Disc connected but unable to communicate with the primary disc

Action

Try rebooting the disc, the primary disc and the router. If the problem continues please contact the helpdesk.

Colour
Status
Action
Blue

Good WiFi or Ethernet cable connection

No action required
Blue - flashing fast (every half second)

Connecting to Whole Home WiFi network

No action required - disc will connect in approximately 15 seconds
Blue - flashing slow (every two seconds)
WPS mode

Within two minutes of pressing the disc’s WPS WiFi Setup button, press the WPS button on the device you wish to connect

Orange
Poor connection

Ideally, try moving the disc closer to the one disc connected directly to your hub (router). But if you can’t move it, don’t worry, your disc will work OK.
For further troubleshooting and support see What does the orange LED on the disc mean?

Red
No connection

First check the Ethernet connection from your hub (router). Try moving the disc closer to the one connected directly to your hub (router). Try restarting your Whole Home WiFi. You can do this from the Settings menu or manually turn each disc off then on.

If after attempting to add a new add-on disc to your network, the LED is permanently red, please see I can't install an add-on disc. The LED is permanently red and the new disc doesn't appear in the app.

Purple

Whole Home WiFi disc starting

No action required - it takes approximately 60 seconds to fully turn on. The LED will then flash blue for a few seconds whilst it connects, before turning solid blue.
Purple - flashing
Firmware upgrading

While the LED is flashing purple, don't turn off your WiFi discs - the LED will turn solid purple then solid blue when finished.

Green - flashing ( Mini Whole Home WiFi only)

New disc is syncing
The light should change to blue after about a minute

Alternating Red/Blue flashing (Whole Home WiFi 6 & Premium only)

Disc connected but unable to communicate with the primary disc

Try rebooting the disc, the primary disc and the router. If the problem continues please contact the helpdesk.

 

Where do I find the user guide?

You can find the user guide and other documents for your Whole Home WiFi product at bt.com/wholehomewifi

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