As DaveN mentioned port 4 is Gigabit, there really shouldn’t be an issue with using ports 1-3 (for audio especially) but the hubs can be unpredictable as previously mentioned.
On later models, I believe, all ports are Gigabit.
If port 4 connection is the solution, enjoy the music, but if not try a factory reset as it’s not impossible for the firmware to be corrupted which a reset will usually resolve.
Should you wish to update the hub you can pick up a Smarthub2 (BT or Plusnet) for around £30 on Fleabay.
Hi Paul…The reason we have this type of Hub, is that we have an Exchange Line. As I understand it, it would be a Smart Hub 2.
What would resetting the Hub do, as opposed to turning it on and off?
I’m not sure what you mean but I assume you have, like me, broadband & telephone, that is, not unusual.
From the Bt website :-
The Smart Hub 2 is our only router that integrates:
- Support for all access types – ADSL / FTTC / FTTP / G.fast
- Integrated support for Complete Wi-Fi
- Integrated support for Digital Voice
BtSmarHub2
Switching the Hub on/off will just “reboot” your hub & reload the exisiting default &/or user settings. A “factory reset” will reload the default firmware & overwrite any settings manually changed by the user, effectively this is like taking the unit out of the box for the first time and will require setting up manually. So, if you have done any changes to the settings you you will need to perform those again after a reset.
As I mentioned though, if port 4 does all you need and you aren’t using the other ports then you could leave it as is and enjoy the music.
If it works on the gigabit port then perhaps there is some problems with either the Nucleus auto negotiation down to 100mb or on the BT hu not all devices negotiate well. My switches all have options to set the rate for this reason.
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Agreed. @DJM, let us know if the Nucleus works on port 4 (i.e. the router stops resetting itself). If so, then I think you should consider it solved, but I also think it will be worth flagging this for support to investigate further. This is probably an edge case - I doubt there’s all that many Roon users using the HH4 - but there’s clearly something that’s not working as it should.
One thing for sure is that the issue has nothing to with the Nucleus or the Roon software, IMO. Some Roon log files should give some hints where and how the problem occurs.
Paul…I’m only going by what the OpenReach Engineer has said.
He told me that we have an Exchange Line, meaning the line comes overground directly from the exchange. It does not come from a green box in the road, like most.
Well that took just 15 minutes!
Reconnected the Nucleus to the Hub…15 minutes later, dropouts and a Reboot.
I despair.
OK thanks, that’s clarified things. The only difference between your line and a “normal” line is yours is fed directly from the telephone exchange which suggests that you are quite close to the exchange as well.
Smart hub two has a circle on the front so easy to identify:-
As mentioned by Simon there is obviously an issue on either the Nucleus or Hub but it will most likely be easier to prove the hub, the factory reset is pretty easy to do and only should take around 10 minutes + any local settings time, if required you could try persuade your openreach contact to try a replacement hub!
Other than that I think you need the help of your dealer &/or raise a Roon support ticket.
Good luck.
I think you now have five options.
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Factory reset the router, as suggested above. I don’t think this will make any difference, but it’s worth a try.
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Raise a ticket as support may be able to offer some additional advice or insight.
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Take your nucleus to a friend’s house and connect it to their network. If it doesn’t cause problems there, then it’s most likely OK.
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Contact BT again and request either another router, as your recent replacement may also be faulty, or a more recent one (the Home Hub 4 is old tech).
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Install another router in addition to the BT hub, i.e. the BT hub will still be the point of contact to the outside world, but your internal network will be served by the new router.
Morning Paul
The Hub was replaced a week ago, including the power supply. The original settings have not been changed.
It’s all very strange…
Roon Core on iMac with Wi-Fi = Dropout and Reboot. Four times in the space of 90 minutes.
Roon Core on iMac with Ethernet directly to Hub = Rock solid for over five hours.
Nucleus with Ethernet directly to Hub = Dropout and Reboot every 15 minutes.
New test:
Nucleus USB to Anker USB 3.0 Portable Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, directly to Hub. = 45 mins no issues yet. 
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Fingers crossed, but if it does work it indicates that there may be an issue with the ethernet port on your Nucleus that should be investigated.
Morning Dave…
- Will do
- Already raised with Dylan.
- That is a good idea, will try and sort something. Trouble is, all my friends live 100-150 miles away. I’m going to Scotland next week so will take the Nucleus.
- Will contact BT today.
- Please can you tell me how to set that up. Is it the case of just connecting a new Router to one of the ports on the BT Hub?
Don’t forget the power supply and a lan cable just in case.
Is this a Rev A or B nucleus? one or 2 HDMI ports
Yep, pretty much, but use port 4 as this is the only gigabit port on the HH4. I don’t think there’s any way to set up the HH4 as a ‘modem only’ only device, so all you would need to do is plug in the new router and, importantly, disable wifi on the HH4. From there you would need to access the new router via its setup page and configure your network from there.
I did much the same with a crappy Virgin router but used a Deco M9 mesh system. One of the Deco’s is connected directly to the Virgin router, which does nothing more than connect to the outside world. Our internal network is created and served by the Decos.
Should have kept my mouth shut…It’s just Rebooted. It lasted 50 minutes.
Better than every 15 minutes, but not exactly a long term solution. Do you know anyone locally who could lend you another router to try out?
Thank you Dave, that sounds easy enough. However, isn’t the BT Hub just passing the problem on to the new Router?
What Router would you recommend? Nothing too techy though. 
Resetting the router might also remove any settings that are particular to your account/connection so do this with some care to check first.
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No not quite, if you are going to use two Routers it’s advisable to disable wifi on the POE device (the one connected to the broadband) and ESSENTIAL that you disable DHCP on the same device or you will get some major problems on your network. You should only have one DHCP server on your network.
Unless you’re confident to set this up I would recommend sticking with one good router.
Good luck with everything, I hope you get a resolution soon.