Believe it or not, electronics do have issues especially when they are attached to other devices and components like routers and their networks. I am unequivocally familiar with gadgets and their errors and failures within my smart home. I do have a smart home blog about tech after all, it’s totally in the name just hidden between a few letters.

My experiences always seem to occur at the most dreadful times. Often while I am away from home or traveling for work resulting in my wife becoming the I.T. Technician with semi-decent quasi instructions from me. Unfortunately, it’s a risk that is associated with reviewing and installing neat gadgets while depending on them to operate certain daily tasks. Although I honestly found a way to build a very bulletproof smart home network by running DD-WRT on my router to stabilize my network during constant testing of many devices.

After a few times of troubleshooting less than dependable electronics, I began to notice a pattern that I would subconsciously activate During my fault findings exercises. I thought, most issues with technology are oftentimes readily solved with a few quick solutions that are really easy to repeat whenever a device goes buggy. The majority of errors can be a simple solution like power cycling or they can be more involved requiring further assistance from the manufacturer and replacement.

For whatever the case you find yourself in, I have compiled a quick list that I have found very resourceful over the years. These solutions are fairly common tips and solutions that are oftentimes overlooked. They can solve basic smart devices and general internet/network issues with your gadgets whenever something is just not working right.

The Power Cycle

For those who have watched the IT Crowd, should know this catchphrase. Have you tried turning it off and on again? The was the punch line for a reason and it actually works for more than half of the issues that seem to occur with any electronic device.

For most devices, this involves a simple power down followed by a restart, easy peasy. Sometimes the internal memory becomes overloaded with stored data and error information. Resetting clears that memory out and starts with a clean slate.

Some devices may be as simple as pulling the plug to get results. Smart switches, on the other hand, may be a little more involved. I know some switches have a reset button hidden around the actual rocker switch. Refer to the help section of your device app for further guidance with these devices. A quick solution if not interested in searching is always the breaker panel box, just make sure you’re not in the middle of a 4-hour project on your 3D printer, experience talking.

Check your signal – The correct IP address or WiFi Frequency

This has honestly got me more than I would like to admit. Most WiFi smart devices use the 2.4 hz signal. I have a dual-band router and my phone is usually connected to 5GHz whenever I try to connect to my smart devices during install and set up. A lot of head-scratching and frustration occurs after the 2nd attempt until I remember this little simple overlooked frustration maker. This is not really an issue after the installation as both radio frequencies are relative to your router and share the same network, but may lend a quick fix during initial setup and configuration.

Latest Firmware and App Updates

Are you running the latest updates for your devices and apps? I will say it – Modern tech and gadgets are often released into the world without being thoroughly vetted. And how could manufacturers account for all the possible scenarios that will occur once a product is running in millions of consumers’ homes, nearly impossible? So as a product is released into the wild, that’s when the feedback returns from active users, thus leading to upgrades being distributed in the form of support and updates.

Often times apps are automatically upgraded depending on your smart device or phone settings, but most firmware actually requires customer acknowledgment and confirmation to proceed. It’s always a good idea to manually check the apps and their gadgets for any pending updates. The latest and greatest releases after all have the best fixes and security tweaks to keep your systems running smoothly.

Signal Strength and Location

Location, location, and location! A big deal when devices are looking for the router and or hubs, for establishing a connection. Are you also getting a weak signal with your phone or tablet in the same area?

Distance and obstacles can cause signal weakness and loss whenever smart devices are attempting to connect. Recent room and furniture changes may cause problems for a previously perfect working device. You might have to adjust your signal perimeter by either moving your router, gadget or hub closer or adjust your layout. Another option to possibly invest in a newer home router technology to support your fresh gear.

Read the Flippin’ Manual(RTFM)

Most devices come with short pamphlets on quick installation instructions. If you are able to retrieve that manual or pamphlet, you may find some beneficial information that may assist you with discovering the issue.

Often times the manual also includes a link to a general FAQ and Help sections for their device or gadget. Scrolling through some of these sections and reading average user inputs and discussions may not assist you with your direct problem, but it might help identify an underlying issue to aid with your troubles.

Total Reset

This is actually a good thing to do occasionally with your network setup. Sometimes electronics, miss cycles and timeout while waiting for other instructions across your network. This miss can disrupt coding that is dependent for daily normal routines.

Restarting your router clears those errors and makes all devices reconnect with a fresh “start”. Allowing cache and memory to be cleared and forcing all devices to work together again as intended. I personally remove the power cord from the outlet instead of a reset button. I want to make sure the memory gets dumped as some memory is retained by pressing the power button.

I created this list because I always found it difficult to sort through most of the FAQ and troubleshooting articles from some of these manufacturers and it doesn’t hurt to have a commonplace to identify the simple steps that sometimes get overlooked when in the thick of it. Feel free to bookmark this page so you can have a point of reference when it gets too crazy.