Originally Posted by wsg:
“Sorry if I still sound thick but how do I open a web browser when my wi fi is disconnected and laptop says you are not connected.?”
The web browser (chrome/firefox/IE/ etc.) should allow you to type the local address the bridge, assuming you have disconnected from WiFi and are directly connected by ethernet cable to the bridge. Ensure the bridge isn't connected to the BT hub at first and if there is reset pin hole on the bridge - use it.
The problem you've been facing is that the default address of the bridge is identical to the one used by your BT hub. Which is why your laptop and the bridge itself must
not be connected to the BT hub when you want to first set it up to avoid this conflict.
Once you can get into the bridge's configuration page, you'll need to give it a static address such as 192.168.1.253 to avoid conflicts with your other equipment. After that you can connect it direct to the hub and you can use your laptop over WiFi as normal.
Normally setting up using WPS will get around the above problem.
If you're ready to give up on it. Try one last thing. Just connect the bridge to the hub directly by cable. Connect your laptop to Wifi as normal - no need for the ethernet cable. Then go to the HomeHub's configuration page 192.168.1.254 - click advanced settings (you will have to enter your HH4's admin password) then click Home Network, then Refresh - you should see something like
this. Check to see if the Bridge is listed in the map of the devices shown. It will tell you it's local IP address. Note that down, then simply type that address into your browser.