So, you’re facing an issue with your smart lights? Don’t worry; this technology is still new, and many scenarios need to be tested from time to time.
But what if smart lights are not responding? We are going to discuss exactly that today.
Smart Lights Connection Issues
In recent years, issues associated with smart light connectivity have raised alarmingly. The manufacturers are looking for innovative ways to tackle this issue, but it’s not simple.
If you are worried about why are my smart lights offline? A major change is that it has to do something with you and how you operate the smart lights in the first place.
Have you Checked the App?
In such a case, the first and best thing to do is to check the smart light app. If the app indicates that the lights are still connected, you need to refresh it again. Also, many companies these days build their smart lights control app so that the user gets a notification in case of a disconnection.
Connecting the app with the smart lights is important as well. Any discontinuation in the connection can lead to the complete dysfunctionality of the bulb. We know these are some strange parameters you need to check from time to time.
Going Through the User Manual once again.
You have checked the mobile app. You have reset and refreshed it twice, but the issue remains the same. The lights keep disconnecting, or even if they are connected, you cannot control them through the mobile app. In that case, time to open that user manual.
The majority of the manufacturers provide a user manual with their smart lights. If you are installing the lights yourself, it is better to go through the user manual first. There will be a section that will guide you about what you need to try if the disconnecting issue continues.
Smart Lights are Disconnected after some use
Probably the most prominent issue complained about by smart light users all over the globe is the disconnecting issue. Some say that the lights get disconnected after some time, while others state that they don’t even connect in the first place.
In either case, this issue needs to be resolved, and manufacturers are trying to identify the problem and then propose a solution accordingly. It is not like the experts don’t even have the slightest idea about what is going around.
Here is a summary of points that experts believe are the major reason why the smart are disconnecting or don’t connect at all,
- WIFI interference
The same thing can happen with smart bulbs like everyday WIFI interference issues. The majority of the smart bulbs today work on the WIFI operating model. As WIFI is a variation of radio waves, any kind of interference can disrupt the path of the waves.
Also, if there is no WIFI available, it is normal for the smart bulb to disconnect. These bulbs require WIFI support for their operations other than voltage itself. Bluetooth control will have the same issues.
- Signal Distortion
There are cases reported where there is no interference with the WIFI signals, but the smart lights won’t operate as they should. This is where signal distortion rises as a real problem. Signal distortion doesn’t have anything to do with interference in the path of the WIFI signals.
Instead, the signal distortion issue focuses on the signal’s strength and quality. If something like this happens, chances are that the issues are with the WIFI router you’re using or the mobile app signal transmission model. The WIFI receiving end within the smart bulb can also be the reason for this behavior.
- Compatibility Issues
The compatibility issues are real and do happen from time to time if you haven’t taken the right steps during installation. For example, you use a switch with an output voltage rating of 4.5V DC for a bulb that requires an operational voltage of 5V DC. What do you think will happen?
Of course, the bulb won’t work, or even if it works, there will be prominent issues with the performance. The same applies if you try to use WIFI control in a phone that doesn’t have the minimum hardware requirements to operate the app successfully.
- Obsolete Mobile App
This issue isn’t that mainstream now if the smart light keeps disconnecting because of an obsolete mobile app. Why? Well, both the android and iOS mobile application stores have updated their policies and features considerably.
If you have enabled auto-update in the store, the app will automatically update itself when a new version comes out.
But the issue comes if you are using an app that has been downloaded through some browser instead of a credible platform. Using such an app can cause connectivity and performance issues in the smart bulb.
- Lack of Hub Control
More and more people around the globe are moving to hub control options for their smart LED bulbs. The hub control allows you to set up a hub anywhere in your house and control all the smart bulbs within the vicinity through the hub. Issues like connectivity and control interference are greatly reduced by hub control.
Also, setting up a hub is a great idea if you have more than one smart bulb in the vicinity. Mobile app control can prove to be not so efficient in case of multiple smart bulbs connected. That’s why don’t avoid using a hub because it costs more than an app.
- Installation Errors
Installation errors are real and happen frequently if the users do the installation. We get it, guys; you like to do stuff yourself. And that’s great too. But certain things require expert insights. Things that can cause later on.
If you still want to do everything yourself instead of hiring an expert, we will advise you to thoroughly review the installation guide. Don’t deviate from any step just because you think you know something more than the manual. In this case, you don’t.
- Power Fluctuations
Recently, power fluctuations and line breakdowns have become a massive issue in the North American region. Lack of line maintenance in time to uncertain weather conditions, the power fluctuations is an issue that has to be solved. But does that affect the performance of the smart bulb in the first place?
Of course, it does. Every smart bulb needs some operational power besides WIFI or Bluetooth support. If the power fluctuation disrupts the operational power distribution for the bulb, it won’t work even if it is connected to the mobile app.
- Manufacturer’s Fault
The first reason that pops up in everyone’s mind is if the smart bulb isn’t working properly. We have been an advocate of the fact that there are many factors on the user’s end that may have disrupted the bulb’s performance. But that doesn’t mean the manufacturer’s end can’t be at fault.
The manufacturer may sometimes be not careful enough at their end while manufacturing a smart bulb batch. Issues like these are pretty uncommon in the case of mega brands that manufacture smart bulbs compared to the local manufacturers who also sell their products at a very low price.
- High Bulbs Ratio
If you have any basic understanding of electronics, you know it is important to maintain a balance within power distribution. Stuff like connecting the bulbs in either series or parallel orientation can significantly impact how the bulbs will function. Connect them in series, and the voltage will be divided across each bulb and connected in parallel so the current can be divided.
In either of these two orientations, the main thing to focus on is the voltage you provide and the number of bulbs connected. You just can’t power up all the bulbs in a series connection where each bulb requires 5V for its operation, and the power source you have is of 5V DC rating.
- Lack of a Light Firmware Update
Many users are switching to a light firmware support software like Wiz light firmware to tackle this connectivity problem. As the name indicates, the firmware program is designed to detect and terminate smart light bulbs related issues from time to time.
But if the Wiz light firmware update isn’t updated in time, there’s no way the firmware operations will work. The result? Same connectivity issues you were facing for so long before the program.
Why do my Smart Lights go Offline? Can I do something about it?
In the above section, we have in detail explained what can be the possible cause for your small lights to go offline. Go through the points once again if you feel like any of these can be the reason behind the smart lights getting disconnected from time to time.
On the other hand, time to move on to the next part. Can you do something about it? Of course, you can. There’s still no expert or certified solution to this problem offered by smart lights manufacturers, but you can always try one of the following approaches,
- Ask for Expert Support.
Probably the simplest and oldest trick in the book. Remember, guys, and not everyone can be an expert on everything. You can be a master architect and still do what an electrical engineer can do. This case is the very same. If you don’t know why the connectivity issue is occurring, ask an expert for help.
Most of the time, the manufacturers provide expert support and technicians if the issue continues for a long time. And if you are already thinking about getting smart bulbs on a large scale, we advise you to go for a technician who knows how to handle such a large installation.
- Install a Hub
A solution that has been regarded as the best way to eliminate all sorts of connectivity issues. Installing a hub is synonymous with implanting a center in your house to control all the smart light bulbs within the vicinity. Plus, the hubs are super easy to control.
Hubs don’t provide any kind of new features to the control panel. Instead, they are more focused on optimizing the work models. For example, with a hub installed, the mobile application will send a signal to the hub, which then, in return, will forward it to the targeted bulb(s).
- Check Power Distribution for Bulbs.
According to multiple verified reports, power distribution is the number one reason so many smart bulbs show connectivity issues. But how? If you provide a 5V DC smart bulb 4.5V DC as an input, it certainly won’t work efficiently.
Instead, there are chances that the bulb may not even work just because the power distribution isn’t accurate. All you need to do is to thoroughly check whether or not the smart bulbs are getting efficient power in the first place or not. If not, there might be a need to re-install some of the wirings.
- Get Report Wiz App
Last but not least, get the report wiz app. The app is designed to identify and resolve issues associated with smart bulb connectivity. Not many users around the globe prefer using this kind of technology as it is relatively new.
But again, the app support center ensures that all the possible reasons for a connectivity issue must be resolved in time. If somehow it detects something unusual, it sends a notification to the user alarming something that needs to be fixed quickly.
Final Words
Quite a lengthy debate, isn’t it? But we do hope that now you know the possible reason why your smart lights are not responding and neither connecting to the mobile app.
Smart lights are a great addition to any household because they consume less electricity. These eventually help you pay the minimal electric bill. However, troubleshooting is real. Things can go wrong for a variety of reasons. See our guide if your smart lights continue to get disconnected and then take care of these issues accordingly.
