BT TV box not connecting to internet? Well, this issue is very easy to solve, so keep reading!
The internet connection is essential for any BT TV box for the user to enjoy catch-up services and on-demand content.
When the BT TV box can’t connect to the internet, you’ll lose access to these features, and to identify the issue, we must uncover everything that might be responsible!
When the BT TV Box is not connecting to the internet, verify that the broadband is intact and attempt to reconnect the device manually. In addition, you should power cycle your BT TV box setup and optimise the internet or WiFi network.
Let’s continue to unwrap!
Why Does BT Box Won’t Connect to Internet?
There are many possibilities for a fault with the internet connection on a BT TV box, and in order to identify the problem, we must dig deeper.
So, here is a list of all possible causes for your BT TV box to be unable to connect so you can acquire a better understanding of the issue’s origin.
The aforementioned causes don’t appear to be too many, but many surrounding factors are also involved.
We strongly recommend following the solutions below to address everything in one go!
How to Fix When BT TV Box Not Connecting to Internet?
Tip: Follow the instructions chronologically!
1. Verify Your Broadband Network!
The first and fundamental step is to verify that your broadband network is online by testing whether you can pair other devices to the internet connection.
Feel free to test whether the Ethernet-connected or WiFi devices are online, and the easiest way to do so is to attempt surfing online or streaming something.
If other devices cannot connect to your hub or router, the fault probably comes from the network device’s broadband, not your BT TV box.
So, if other devices connect successfully and are online, you’re probably facing an issue with the BT TV box, so continue reading to unwrap more.
Warning: Any inconsistency in your network will prevent the BT TV box from connecting!
2. Link BT Box to Internet Manually
When you’re confident that your broadband connection is intact, you should attempt to link the BT TV box to the internet manually.
Based on your BT TV box model, you can connect to the internet via WiFi or Ethernet cable directly to your hub or router.
How to Connect a BT Box to the WiFi?
Note: Only the BT TV Box Pro can connect via WiFi.
- First, press the “Home” remote button.
- From the main screen, go to “Settings.”
- Then, locate and enter the “Wi-Fi” tab.
- Next, wait for the Wi-Fi list to populate.
- Select your hub or router’s WiFi SSID.
- Insert the correct password to connect.
Note: When the WiFi signal from your router or hub is weak, the BT TV box may not connect.
How to Connect BT Box via Ethernet?
To connect the BT TV box to the network hub or router, you need a long enough Ethernet cable to connect both devices physically.
The Ethernet cable plugs into the “yellow” Ethernet port on the BT TV box and then connects to another “yellow” port on the back of the broadband router.
Note: When using an Ethernet link, there is no need for additional steps besides connecting both devices with the Ethernet cable.
3. Power Cycle BT Box and Router!
If you still can’t connect BT box to internet, the next step is to perform a power circulation on your internet hub/router and BT TV box.
This is an excellent approach when experiencing internet connection issues since this will address potential issues with both instances.
The power cycle is a completely safe method that doesn’t erase anything from your BT TV box or network router, so without hesitation, jump into the steps…
How to Power Cycle BT TV Box?
- Use the remote control to power off the BT box.
- Then, unplug the power adapter from the wall.
- Wait for at least 3 minutes for a full discharge.
- Connect the power adapter directly to the wall.
- Then, turn on the BT TV box using the remote.
How to Power Cycle WiFi Router?
- First, locate the Power button on the back.
- Press the power button to turn off the unit.
- Then, disconnect the router from the wall.
- Wait for at least 3 minutes for a circulation.
- Connect your hub/router directly to the wall.
- Wait for 2 minutes until the router is online.
Reminder: When your internet is back up and running, manually reconnect the BT TV box to the WiFi or via Ethernet, using the instructions earlier in the guide.
4. Shorten Wireless Signal Proximity
Note: If your BT TV box does not support a wireless connection, skip this step!
When using WiFi, your BT TV box is prone to bad wireless reception, signal interference, and issues with the transmission.
You can overcome these WiFi limitations by closing the proximity between the BT TV box and your network router and turning off any nearby electronic devices.
You should relocate your router or BT TV box so that they can be closer to one another, and when the WiFi signal improves, reconnect your receiver.
Tip: Straighten up the router’s antennas to increase the signal coverage!
5. Switch to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Frequency
The BT TV Pro is compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi, so it’s essential to determine if the receiver will connect to a different frequency.
When your router is dual-band, you should see two separate WiFi networks, so if you can’t connect to one, attempt to connect to the other one!
The 2.4 GHz WiFi is slower than the 5 GHz WiFi but travels further, goes through more solids, and the signal is more substantial.
In contrast, the 5 GHz WiFi is faster, but when your BT TV box and router are too far apart, you may even be able to connect.
Reminder: Use the steps from earlier in the guide to reconnect your BT TV box from one WiFi to another frequency available on your network.
6. Reconnect the Ethernet Cable Link!
Whether you’re using a wired, Ethernet connection or a WiFi, you should know that the Ethernet is the better performing option.
If you were using your BT TV box (Pro) connected via WiFi only, then perhaps it’s time to try this workaround by switching to a wired Ethernet cable connection.
If the BT TV box and network router are connected via an Ethernet cable, but the receiver is offline, you must verify that the Ethernet cable is not loose.
In addition, you must inspect the Ethernet cable connectors to verify that the plastic is not broken and the connector is not wiggly.
So, reconnect and secure the Ethernet connection on both sides and hopefully, this will restore the internet connection on your BT TV box at once!
Tip: If possible, test connecting the Ethernet cable to a different port on your network router!
7. Test With a Different Wi-Fi Network!
The next step is to attempt something reasonably simple.
You must create a personal hotspot wireless connection from your smartphone and attempt to connect your BT TV box.
This will help you identify whether the root cause of the issue comes from the box or the WiFi network!
- To share a hotspot from your mobile, go to Settings > Mobile Data > Hotspot!
Android and iOS smartphones support that feature, and your mobile must only support cellular connection and have a SIM or eSIM.
When your hotspot is set, use the steps shown earlier in the guide to connect your BT TV box wirelessly to the newly created WiFi and identify the issue.
Tip: Streaming from your personal hotspot consumes your mobile data, so if your plan is not unlimited, avoiding content streaming is recommended.
Quick Recap:
Hence, when the BT TV box not connecting to the internet, verify that the broadband network is online and reconnect your receiver manually.
In addition, switch from the 5 GHz WiFi to the 2.4 GHz frequency, relocate your devices closer, and optimise your wireless network.
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.