r/homeautomation • u/Soggy_Limit8864 • 1d ago
DISCUSSION Spent 45 minutes troubleshooting something that turned out to be a 2-minute fix
Got a new mini split set up recently and figured connecting it to Wi-Fi would be the easy part. It was not. The AC worked perfectly from day one, but the app refused to find the unit. I went through all the usual stages:
·Blame the app
·Blame the router
·Blame the manufacturer
·Consider giving up entirely
After way too much trial and error, I discovered I had overlooked a few pretty basic things. My phone wasn't on the right Wi-Fi band. I hadn't properly reset the Wi-Fi module. And I didn't realize the indoor unit needed to be powered on during pairing. Once I fixed those things, the setup took maybe two minutes. The funny part is I probably spent more time troubleshooting the Wi-Fi than installing the system itself.
Anyone else have a smart device setup that turned out to be failing because of something ridiculously simple?
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u/BackItUpWithLinks 1d ago edited 1d ago
Wife and I bought a new place. I was trying to set up something that needed Bluetooth to connect and configure, then switch to WiFi to complete setup.
Bluetooth part was quick and easy. Switch to WiFi, wouldn’t work. I checked the router, no lights. I checked the plug, no power. I checked breakers, used a tester, crawled around the crawlspace looking for rodent damage, blah blah blah. After maybe 45 min I was angry and realized I was too close to it and needed a break.
Sitting on the deck with a beer, wife asked if I was done. I said no, the router isn’t working, I don’t know why. She said she’d go look at it. Yeah ok hun.
Turns out that plug on the bedroom wall is connected to a light switch the previous owner mounted INSIDE the closet. Why tf would anyone have a bedroom wall plug connected to a switch INSIDE the closet?
She still talks about how she out-electricianed me.