When your Teckin Smart plug doesn’t connect to the internet, it means that you won’t be able to control it from your device. You may have done all of the steps right, which include using the right password and selecting the right network. You’re also positive your smart plug isn’t broken, which means the problem is probably your router.
You may be left scratching your head as to why something you’ve paid decent money for doesn’t want to work properly. You’ve also probably searched the net for some answers but no one is providing you with anything.
Well, below, I’ve provided exhaustive reasons and fixes that will pretty much guarantee you don’t have to replace your Teckin smart plug which is the last fix I have on this list. Make sure you follow everything one by one, and if you’ve unfortunately reached the end where you’re left to replace you’re smart plug, then that’s just what you’re going to have to do.
But enough talking, here are reasons why it won’t connect to WIFI, and exhaustive ways that will fix the issue.
Why Won’t My Teckin Smart Plug Connect to WiFi?
1. Your WIFI Router Isn’t Connected to the Internet
Your ISP provides your router with an internet connection. However, if they themselves are experiencing issues, then this will carry onto your router and prevent it from functioning correctly.
Another issue that could cause your router not to work properly temporarily is a simply glitch.
Whatever the issue is, lets look at some fixes that’ll allow you to get around this issue.
Fix 1 – Make Sure 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
There’s a setting on your iPhone called precise location, and it allows the Smart Life app to know your precise location. It’s pretty self-explanatory.
I’m not sure why some smart plugs need your precise location, but based on my research, if some don’t, you may struggle to get it to function. This shouldn’t be the case because your location isn’t a requirement to get a smart plug to work. But since some do, lets look at how to do it.
To turn on precise location on your iPhone, Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, then select Location Services. Select Teckin, then turn Precise Location on.
3. There’s A Glitch
As I said earlier, glitches happen with your router, but it’s not the only place a glitch could occur. It can happen with the Smart Life app. This is a temporary software malfunction that prevents your Teckin smart plug from connecting.
Glitches usually go away on their own, but if it’s been some time now and your Teckin smart plug still won’t connect to wifi, then you’ll need to get rid of the potential glitch manually.
Fix – Remove Then Re-Add Smart Plug
When your Teckin 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 Teckin 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 teckin 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 Teckin plug later:
- Open the Smart Life app
- Tap the Add device button or the top right “+” icon to a new device
- Tap Electrical to load the compatible models
- Choose “Socket (Wi-Fi)” under the socket options
- Enter your network details.
- Choose the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and input the correct password.
- Tap Next to continue. Make sure this is the network connected to your mobile device.
- Connect your plug to a working outlet and wait for 10 seconds and reset it to enter pairing mode.
To reset it:
- Press and hold the power button on the plug for 5 – 10 seconds or until it blinks blue.
- Tap Next on the app and confirm your plug is in pairing mode.
- Select the blinking mode.
- Tap the second option (Blink Quickly) to set up your plug in Easy mode. Let the app find, register and initialize your Teckin smart plug.
- Hopefully, your smart plug is connected to wifi now.
Fix 2 – Wait It Out
The second choice you have is to wait it out. Usually, glitches and bugs go away on their own because usually, you don’t have much control over them. If removing then re-adding again didn’t work, then you need to wait it out. It’s best you leave this as a last-ditch fix. Well, naturally, it would be anyway.
Fix 3. – Factory Reset Smart Plug
A factory reset is the last resort to fixing the internet issue you’re having with your Teckin 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 Teckin
If you’re still having issue connecting your Teckin smart plug to the internet, the smart plugs themselves could have a manufacturing detect. If you’ve never been able to connect them, then this step is going to be extra crucial. You’ll either need to replace your smart plugs with more reliable ones.
I personally use the Meross smart plugs, which I picked up from Amazon.
Note: Only pick up a new Teckin 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
Modern routers use two major technologies for internet connection: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The difference between the two is based on Speed and Range.
- 2.4GHz (default) – more range, less speed
- 5GHz – less range, more speed
Now, your smart plug doesn’t need speed, it needs range. So if your router has 5GHz enabled, then you’ll need to enable 2.4GHz, which I’ll show you how to do below.
Fix – Turn Off 5GHz In Router
Since the 2.4GHz frequency has capabilities that suit your smart plugs needs, you’ll need to make sure that you revert back to 2.4GHz if you’ve forced 5GHz onto your router. Most routers automatically use 2.4GHz by default so you’ll pretty much need to follow the same steps to change it back.
If you’re unsure how, don’t stress, I’ve crafted some accurate but rough steps that should apply to you closely. If not, use common sense to try and switch it back. But my steps should apply to most routers.
- 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
One reason you shouldn’t rule out is a bug in the Smart Life app being caused by the app being out of date. You need to ensure that the app is up to date to clear any issues that could be occurring within it.
Updates are released by Teckin to clear any bugs within the app that have been reported by users as well as spotted by developers so if you can see that there’s one available in the app or play store, it’s likely that it’ll get rid of the problem you’re experiencing.
6. Power Supply Issue
If your Teckin 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 Teckin 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.