Setting up a smart home device is easier than ever, especially with well-crafted apps. But users still run into problems with connections, settings or even turning on — especially when using multiple devices together in home routines.
I’m no stranger to running across headache-inducing problems when I’m reviewing home technology. But I’ve also found the most common causes of such snafus and the easiest ways to bring everything back online and operating as it should. Here’s what works.
Everything needs a full reboot
“Turn it off and on again” is sage advice for a reason. A full reboot of everything helps devices shake off bugs, realign connections and start working like they should. When a serious smart home problem occurs, there’s a lot to shut down.
At minimum, try powering off the smart home device itself, either with a reset button or by unplugging it for a while, and fully closing the smart home app you are using, then bringing them both back. It’s also a good idea to reboot the device you’re on (like your smartphone or tablet) and your Wi-Fi router, so everything gets a fresh start.
A firmware update is waiting
Firmware refers to important updates that smart home devices download from the internet to improve the way they work, fix bugs and enable new features. Some download firmware updates automatically — but most don’t without permission. Head into the home app settings, where you should find a firmware update check. It could also be under device management and similar menu sections. Often, this is exactly what a device needs to start working properly.
Remember, if you’re setting up a new smart home device, once it connects to your Wi-Fi it will probably need to download a few firmware updates and reboot itself. That can take a while, and not all apps are good at showing that firmware updates are still happening in the background. Until all these updates complete, key features may not work.
The app needs to ‘forget’ the smart device
Smart home apps have options — usually buttons with plus signs — to add new devices, which is one of the first things you do if a device isn’t automatically detected. But you can also select an added device and make the app forget it.
When an app forgets a device, that means you have to set it up all over again. However, this type of soft reboot can often solve problems, like connections that aren’t connecting or camera feeds that are getting dropped.
Device interactions don’t exist (yet)
Smart devices aren’t trying to deceive, but a tangled web they still weave (of interconnected devices), and sometimes we think they can do something they can’t.
I’ve seen this with the broad smart home platforms that work with many kinds of devices, like Apple Home, Google Home and Alexa. These big platforms cover a lot of ground and are improving as the Matter standard expands, but they still have their limitations.
A couple of common examples come to mind. Some device capabilities, like looking out of certain security cameras, may work with an Amazon Echo Show but not on the Amazon Alexa app itself, which can confuse new users. You may also find, as I have, that even Matter-enabled smart locks offer features on their own apps, like geofencing or automatic locking, that won’t show up if you connect them to the Apple Home app.
These compatibility issues are getting better over time, but they still exist. If nothing is working, I recommend carefully seeing if the interaction you expected just doesn’t work that way.
Battery life needs some attention
I know, I know, battery life is one of the obvious things that you should notice — but it’s surprisingly how often even I forget to check battery life before trying to use a device. Remember, sometimes batteries need time to charge up before you first start using the device.
If you aren’t sure what the battery life is, you can always check it by exploring the device in the app, which should have a section or icon showing battery life. Also, check that you’re charging the right way with a proper connector and adapter. Otherwise, the battery may not be getting any juice at all.
Features are locked behind a subscription
I frequently need to double-check if the features that I’m testing aren’t available unless I get a free trial or pay for a subscription to the device. This problem is more common in some smart homes than others. Home security systems and home security cameras, for example, often put features behind a paywall, like AI object detection, professional monitoring, cloud video storage, compatibility with additional devices, more advanced phone notifications and a whole lot more.
The good news is that you can find plenty of AI monitoring for free and many security cameras that don’t require subscriptions to use. But you should double-check before you buy to see what is and isn’t included if you don’t want to pay monthly fees.
You need another Wi-Fi band or router
If your device is constantly dropping connections or refusing to communicate with your app, try moving the device and any smart hub it’s using closer to your Wi-Fi router. Many smart devices require using the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band, but if your device doesn’t care then try switching to the 5GHz band, which is farther-reaching and often less crowded.
If steps like these fix your connection problems, think about getting a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh router to expand your coverage. Then you can use smart devices where you really want them, like a cam in the driveway or a leak detector by a water tank, without worrying that they won’t work.
For more problem solving in home tech, check out my guides on cutting down the number of smart home apps you need, how to get rid of annoying home app alerts, when you need a new security system and what everyone should know about home hacking.
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