Growlink works best with a traditional home network: simple networks with WPA/WPA2 or WEP security (or unsecured), with a single router from a reputable company (Apple, Netgear, Linksys, D-Link, etc.) without any fancy settings. The more your network diverges from the norm, there more likely you might encounter issues.
There are known issues with the following types of networks:
- 11n-only networks. Growlink controllers are 802.11b/g. Most 802.11n networks are backwards compatible with 802.11b/g, but if yours is not, the Growlink will not connect.
- Networks with “captive portal” security. A captive portal is a little website that comes up to ask you to sign in to a network or sign an agreement, like at a Starbucks. The Growlink can’t navigate these portals.
- Enterprise networks. We have had mixed results connecting the devices to enterprise networks, although we don’t yet have a great understanding of what’s causing the issue. This is something that we are working to improve.
- Complex Networks. Networks with multiple routers, with non-standard firewalls, and with non-standard settings.
So, let’s dig in. If your Growlink controller is not connecting to your Wi-Fi network, we recommend following these steps:
STEP 0: Check the basics
- Check your Wi-Fi credentials (SSID and password) to make sure you typed them correctly.
- Make sure you’re in range of your Wi-Fi network. If your phone or computer has a poor connection in the same location, try moving closer to your Wi-Fi access point.
- If you’re using a u.FL antenna, make sure you have an antenna attached, and that it’s firmly connected.
- Make sure your Growlink has enough power to transmit Wi-Fi signals (300mA in bursts). Try a different power source, or unplug components that draw a lot of power.
STEP 1: Try another network
There are many reasons that your Growlink controller might not connect; some of them have to do with the Growlink; some have to do with your mobile device sending the Wi-Fi credentials; some have to do with the network. If your Growlink controller doesn’t connect, try another Wi-Fi network. This will quickly help you figure out which type of issue you might be seeing.
STEP 2: Reboot and clear memory
So often, electronics start behaving after you shut them off and turn them back on. Try:
- Closing your mobile app and re-opening it
- Un-plugging the Growlink and plugging it back in
- Clear the Growlink’s memory of Wi-Fi networks by holding the SETUPbutton for 10 seconds. After 3 seconds, the light should start flashing blue; after 10 seconds, it should do a quick burst of blue flashes. That means the memory has been cleared.
STEP 3: Check your router settings
There are a million ways router settings could cause problems, but here are a few things to look out for:
- Use DHCP
- Turn off access control and firewalls. Not permanently, but temporarily, to see if it resolves the issue. If it does, you can hopefully just tweak your settings to accommodate the Growlink rather than taking down your security. The only change you may need to make to your router is to open up outgoing port 5683, the default CoAPport the Growlink uses to connect to the Growlink Device Cloud. If your Growlink flashes cyan and occasionally flashes red, router issues are likely the culprit.
STEP 4: Contact Support
We would love to hear about your issues, regardless of whether you were able to resolve them so that we can improve our platform. If you haven’t been able to resolve your issue, hopefully, we or the community will be able to help.
Please post issues with connectivity either as responses to this topic or, if they are dissimilar from other reported issues, as their own topic. When you make a post, please include:
- Router make and model
- Network security (unsecured, WEP, WPA2, etc.)
- Environment (home, small office, enterprise, public network, etc.)
- Network topology (number of routers and/or range extenders, the estimated number of devices connected to a network)
- Internet Service Provider
- Any network settings that might diverge from the norm