Wi-Fi answers
SmartThings hub — wi-fi keeps dropping
Why does my SmartThings hub keeps dropping?
The short answer
Hub goes offline after a router change, or new gadgets won't be found during setup. On the WiFiXpert Compatibility Index the SmartThings hub scores 84/100, and its weakest check is "Easy to fix when it goes wrong" — which is exactly where this problem comes from. Re-adding devices after a hub reset is slow work.
We publish what breaks with each router and mesh system, and the setting that fixes it.
| Check | Verdict | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Works on 2.4 GHz | Excellent | 14/14 |
| Works on 5 GHz | Supported | 12/14 |
| Modern Wi-Fi security | Excellent | 12/12 |
| Happy on mesh Wi-Fi | Very good | 14/16 |
| Works on a guest network | Poor | 6/8 |
| Survives a plug-in extender | Usually fine | 7/8 |
| Doesn't depend on chatty discovery | Some dependency | 13/16 |
| Easy to fix when it goes wrong | Medium | 6/12 |
The short answer
- Hub goes offline after a router change, or new gadgets won't be found during setup.
What our compatibility data shows
- Works on 2.4 GHz: Excellent
- Works on 5 GHz: Supported
- Modern Wi-Fi security: Excellent
- Happy on mesh Wi-Fi: Very good
- Works on a guest network: Poor
- Survives a plug-in extender: Usually fine
- Doesn't depend on chatty discovery: Some dependency
- Easy to fix when it goes wrong: Medium
Free fixes, in order
- Plug the hub into the router with a network cable where you can.
- Keep the same Wi-Fi name and password when you change routers — then nothing needs re-pairing.
- Turn off 'client isolation' while adding new gadgets.
Before you spend anything
- Almost never. A £5 cable solves most SmartThings complaints.
People also ask
- Does the SmartThings hub work on mesh Wi-Fi?
- Can I put the SmartThings hub on a guest network?
- Does the SmartThings hub need 2.4 GHz?
- Which router works best with the SmartThings hub?
If you do end up spending money
Only after the free fixes. Nobody pays to appear here, and no shop link changes anything we say.
- Router or mesh known to suit this device
- A single wired connection to the device