If your BN-Link smart plug won’t connect to the internet, it can be quite frustrating because you won’t be able to control it through the Smart Life app.
You may have done everything right, such as selecting the right network as well as the right password, but you’re still scratching your head as to why a smart device isn’t smart enough to work properly – even though you’ve done all of the steps properly.
Regardless of if you’ve done everything properly, there are a lot of things that are out of your control when it comes to how your connection between your smart plug and WIFI goes.
Luckily for you, I’ve provided the most likely reasons why you’re unable to connect your BN-Link smart plug to the internet. I’ve also provided exhaustive fixes for each reason so there’s no way you can finish reading this article without having your problem fixed.
Remove Then Re-Add BN-Link Smart Plug Before Trying Anything!!
When your BN-Link smart plug won’t connect to the internet, the smart plug may have lost connection to the router due to a glitch or because of the distance. Removing and then re-adding the BN-Link smart plug.
When you first try to connect your smart plug, you’ll need to add it as a device. To get rid of a potential bug, you’ll need to remove and re add your BN-Link smart plug as a device.
This is how you remove the device from the smart life app:
- Select your smart plug on the home screen
- Tap the settings icon to load up the device’s customization page
- Scroll down and find the “Remove button”
- Confirm your intention
…and (if you want to) re-add the BN-Link plug later:
- Open the Smart Life app
- Tap the Add device button or the top right “+” icon to a new device
- Choose “Socket (Wi-Fi)” under the socket options
- Confirm the light status on your plug and follow the app guide (If you don’t see a blue light blinking quickly, press On/Off button to reset)
- Set a unique name for it and choose the room location.
If the Easy mode connection failed, try connecting it in AP Mode (Indicator light blinks once every 2 seconds):
- Remove and install the smart plug into your power outlet again. When the indicator is blinking quickly, it is in Easy mode.
- Hold the power button for about 7 seconds to enter into AP mode. Once you see the indicator light slowly blinking(every 2 seconds), you can start to try the AP mode connection.
- First go back to the Add Device “+” interface. “Socket (Wifi). Then choose the “Other Mode” in the top right comer and choose AP Mode.
- Make sure the indicator light is flashing slowly and confirm it in App
- Choose your 2.4G Wi-Fi and enter the password and confirm it in App
- Tap “Connect now” and choose Wi-Fi hotspot named “Smart” then go back to Smart Life application
- Wait successful configuration and then tap “Completed”.
Why Won’t My BN-Link Smart Plug Connect to WiFi?
1. Your WIFI Router Isn’t Connected to the Internet
If your router isn’t being connected to the internet, then it’s obvious that your BN-Link smart plug won’t be able to connect to the internet. When your ISP is experiencing issues, or when there’s a bug within your router’s software, you may experience issues when it comes to connecting it to the internet.
If your router is struggling to connect to the internet because of your ISP or whatever reason, something simple you can do is hard restart the router.
Fix 1 – Make Sure the Router is Connected to the Internet
- Unplug the router from power supply
- Wait 5 minutes
- Plug the router back in
- If it still says unable to connect within the Smart Life app, please contact your ISP
2. Precise Location Hasn’t Been Toggled On
Some smart plugs require your precise location in order to function properly. Whether that’s the BN-Link smart plug, or not, I don’t know. But it’s worth a try to see if turning this function on allows you to connect it to the internet via the smart life app.
The precise location setting within your iPhone allows specific apps such as the Smart Life app to connect to know your precise location. From here, depending on if the app requires it, it could get the smart plug to connect.
To turn on precise location on your iPhone, Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, then select Location Services. Select Smart Life, then turn Precise Location on.
3. There’s A Glitch
With all apps, they sometimes experience glitches which can stop them from working properly. If the smart life app isn’t working properly, this spells disaster as no device will be able to connect to it.
A bug or glitch within an app tends to go aware on it’s own but rather than leaving it, you can try and fix it right away if there aren’t any obvious causes such as an app update being needed.
Fix 2 – Wait It Out
With bugs, they usually go away themselves so one thing you can do is just wait. You don’t have much control over a bug or glitch which is why waiting for the problem to resolve on it’s own isn’t a bad idea.
Fix 3. – Factory Reset Smart Plug
A factory reset is the last resort to fixing the internet issue you’re having with your BN-Link smart plug.
To factory reset:
- Press and hold the power button on the plug for 5 – 10 seconds or until it blinks blue.
- Once you’ve reset it, follow the steps above to try and add it as a device
Fix 4 – Contact BN-Link/Replace Smart Plug
If you haven’t been able to connect your BN-Link smart plug to the internet, then you’ll need to contact them because there could be a manufacturing defect. Instead of trying endless fixes, you can either contact BN-Link directly, describe your problem exactly and wait for a response. Or, you can replace your smart plugs.
I personally use the BN-Link heavy duty smart plugs, which I picked up from Amazon.
Note: Only pick up a new BN-Link smart plug if you’re convinced the one you currently have has too many issues. There’s no point in picking up a new smart plug if the problem with your current plugs can easily be fixed.
4. 5 GHz is Enabled on Router
There are two types of technologies used for modern internet connection which are 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The main differences between them are speed and range.
- 2.4GHz (default) – more range, less speed
- 5GHz – less range, more speed
Since your smart plug doesn’t need fast speeds, 5GHz is irrelevant which is why all smart plugs require your defaults routers settings which is 2.4GHz – it’s better for range so if your smart plugs are a considerable distance from your router, then you’ll have better luck settings your router back to 2.4GHz.
Fix – Turn Off 5GHz In Router
If you remember changing your routers default settings from 2.4GHz, then you’ll need to go back into the settings and change it. Down below is a rough guide for how to change it back if you can’t remember how to do it specifically for your router/ISP.
- Connect your PC to the router using an Ethernet cable.
- Open a web browser on your PC and enter the admin IP address of your router in the address bar. The default IP addresses are usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If you are unsure of the IP address, refer to your router’s manual or documentation.
- On the login page enter the admin credentials. This usually comes with the router manual. For most routers, username and password are both “admin”. Or, admin and password for username and password, respectively. If you’ve changed the credentials and don’t remember them, consult your router’s manual for the correct login information.
- Once logged in, navigate to the Wireless Settings section or the appropriate wireless configuration page.
- Look for the 5GHz frequency settings. It may be labeled as “Wireless Radio Frequency,” “Wireless Mode,” or something similar.
- Disable or uncheck the option for the 5GHz frequency. This may involve toggling a switch, unchecking a box, or selecting the appropriate option from a dropdown menu.
- Save the changes or apply the settings. The router will likely prompt you to confirm the changes before proceeding.
- After saving the changes, the router will revert to the default 2.4GHz frequency for wireless connections.
5. Smart Life App Out Of Date
Since smart plug tech is consistently changing because of how new it is, there are constant updates for the smart life app. So just go into the App or play store and update it.
6. Power Supply Issue
If your BN-Link smart plug is not receiving the proper power due to a faulty wall outlet, it could cause it not to connect to WIFI.
Fix – Try A Different Wall Outlet
To fix this problem, try plugging the smart plug into a more reliable wall socket. If it’s currently plugged into an extension socket, remove it and plug it into a wall socket. If it’s in a wall socket already, try another wall socket.
If you’re now able to connect your BN-Link smart plug then it looks like you had a faulty wall outlet. Now don’t just jump to the conclusion that you need to change this wall outlet. Instead, try plugging in other things and see if it works. If it doesn’t, you should call a licensed electrician to fix any faulty outlet issues that you are having and also avoid using that outlet till the problem is resolved.