Pairing & Wi-Fi Troubleshooting

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction
• Accept Mandatory iOS Prompt For Location Settings
• Selecting Your Network
• Indicator LED Colors & What They Mean
  • Issues With Pairing / Wi-Fi Hand-Off
  • Allow "bluebot" to use your location?
  • Location Services Disabled 
• Issues Connecting To Your Network
  • Unable to join the network "bluebot"
  • Not receiving data from bluebot!
  • Network problem
• iOS Failure Prompts
  • Manually Allowing bluebot Access
• Android Failure Prompts
  • Manual Input Required

Estimated reading time: 5  minutes, 41 seconds.

Introduction

The bluebot device transmits data using Wi-Fi technology over a wireless access point in your home. The standard with nearly all IoT devices like camera's, doorbell's, and bluebot's is to create a wireless access point (called AP mode) that allows wireless devices to connect to a wireless network. For bluebot, to operate correctly, a dedicated 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network must be available.  You are in luck, most internet service providers set up two networks by default: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. But, we still encourage you to verify 2.4GHz anyways.  By design, bluebot will find only a 2.4ghz network and ignore the 5ghz network. Dual band networks are also acceptable.

Tip: We require performing the initial connection of bluebot to your Wi-Fi network physically near your router/AP where there is full bars of Wi-Fi signal. The app will instruct you when it's time to move from your router to the installation location. Upon power-up, bluebot will automatically reconnect if the Wi-Fi network is in range.

During the app led connection process (Step 2) we will ask you to plug in your device and place the device into pairing mode (AP mode). 

After holding down the button and following the in-app instructions, the light will turn solid green 

At this point, bluebot  creates it's very own Wi-Fi hotspot network.  The network name is "bluebot" and is ready for the pairing/hand off.

Accept Mandatory iOS Prompt For Location Settings

During connection, it's important to take your time and accept all the iOS prompts and allow location settings to allow the Wi-Fi connection process via iOS to function properly. The is an Apple security rule, which we like, and you can disable this setting after connection. We do not need or store this information for bluebot's operation.

Prompt	Correct Answer
Allow "bluebot" to use your location?	Allow Once or Allow While Using App
"bluebot" would like to find and connect to devices on your local network.	OK

Selecting Your Network

If you follow all the prompts and read all the instructions you will get to the last step of the connection process. The bluebot will scan the area for available Wi-Fi networks. Select the network of your choice and input your password for the network. 

If the bluebot and device are properly communicating you will see this LED. The device will transition from pairing mode to connecting your Wi-Fi network. If connection to the bluebot cloud via your Wi-Fi network is successful, you will see a solid blue light and your app will notify you. If cloud connection fails,  you will see a red light. Read Article

Solid

Flashing

Solid

Info: If you attempt to connect bluebot to an unsecured network with no password you must add at least one space into the dialog box to continue.

Once the connection to your network has been established, there is more flexibility in where you can move the device from the network. There is a point during connection where you will be prompted within the app to unplug the meter, take it to your installation location, and the bluebot device will automatically reconnect to the Wi-Fi network.  Three bars Wi-fi is ideal, but bluebot in the majority of cases will latch onto a solid one bar signal.

Incorrect Credentials or Too Far From The Access Point

Behavior pattern:

Attempting to connect to the access point, connection failed.

Flashing

Solid

Flashing

Solid

Repeats

Solution: Ensure your network name (SSID) and password are correct, this is a very common issue. You may also be too far from your router. To test, plug the bluebot device in near your router to rule out wrong password. Read more about Wi-Fi Troubleshooting.

Indicator LED Colors & What They Mean

Tip: Use the LED indicator to troubleshoot during the connection process. The LED has a lot to say. Read Article

Issues With Pairing / Wi-Fi Hand-Off

After setting the bluebot to pairing mode you will be prompted to continue. The “Join” bluebot network prompt will appear on the next screen after a period of time.

Allow "bluebot" to use your location?

You must allow location settings to allow the Wi-Fi connection process via iOS rules to function properly. We respect your privacy and do not track your location. You can disable this setting after connection as we do not need or store this information for bluebot operation.

Location Services Disabled 

Problem:  This prompt will appear if you select "Don't Allow".

Solution: You must temporarily enable location services during the setup process and either "allow while using App" or "Allow once" for a successful installation. Apple requires this for security purposes and we like that.  If by mistake you "Don't Allow" You can fix the issue by exiting the set up process, navigate to your iPhone settings > scroll down to bluebot > and Turn On location services.

Issues Connecting To Your Network

Unable to join the network "bluebot"

Problem:  The bluebot device cannot maintain a reliable connection to your phone. 

Solution 1: Please restart the set up and power cycle your device by unplugging it and setting it to pairing mode again with a long press of the button then a solid green LED. Make sure you have all the settings enabled if you denied any of the mandatory iOS Prompts.

Not receiving data from bluebot!

Problem:  The installer did not accept all the iOS prompts, or the device lost power, or the Wi-Fi network has poor signal strength and is unreliable.

Solution: Restart the connection process from the beginning for best results. Make sure you have all the settings enabled if you denied any of the mandatory iOS prompts.

Network problem

Problem:  The Wi-Fi network did not allow the bluebot to connect to the cloud. 

Solution: First select "OK, Try Again" but if you are reading this that likely failed. 

Restart the connection process from the pairing step and make sure you are near your router and you accepted all the iOS prompts, most importantly the "bluebot" would like to find and connect device on your local network prompt.

If you did not accept this prompt, you must go into your iPhone settings > bluebot > turn on local network and repeat the connection process.

iOS Failure Prompts

If you intentionally or accidentally denied access to the local network or temporary access to the location services on your phone you WILL have issues with pairing or connection to the Wi-Fi network you selected. 

No worries, it is an easy thing to remedy by manually updating access in the settings app on your device.  The following walks you through this process.

Manually Allowing bluebot Access

1. Enter iOS Settings by either swiping down from your home screen and searching "settings" or locating this icon visually.

2. Locate "bluebot"  towards the bottom of settings main screen listings and bluebot will be listed as an application if it's installed on your phone.  Look for the bluebot logo.

3. Select and enter bluebot settings, Turn On any settings that are OFF.  Remember you may turn off location setting after installation and contacts are optional as well.

Android Failure Prompts

Manual Input Required 

If you are using an older Android device or encounter the error prompting "Manual Input Required" follow the steps below to complete the activation. 

Follow all the steps in the activation process.

The prompt may show up, "Your Android device requires a manual connection to the bluebot device" This means that your phone is unable to join the bluebot's network automatically to "hand off" the network credentials to the bluebot. As the prompt mentions, you must manually enter the device settings on your Android phone to do this 

1. Open your devices Settings app

2. Tap Network & Internet 

3. Join the network "Bluebot
4. Return to the app
5. Select "Retry Activation

In the case this does not work for you, please submit a support ticket so we may assist you with this issue.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of the bluebot team, contact us directly at hello@bluebot.com or call/text (831) 275-2715 M-F 10 AM - 6 PM PST.