Troubleshooting Optimize IoT Device Stability with Mesh Networks (myQ, Ring, Shelly, etc)
If you are having trouble connecting to or managing your IoT devices like myQ garage door openers or Ring Doorbells, the community offers numerous suggestions to minimize these unexpected behaviors. Please refer to the following troubleshooting guide to explore potential settings that may assist in resolving issues with your devices and connections.
Why Does the Issue Exist in the First Place? Why Does it Only Affect Some Devices?
Many smart-home devices don’t even use Wi-Fi directly and instead rely on other older wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, or Z-Wave. For these who are capable of Wi-Fi, they mainly adopt 2.4GHz. While the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi is usually quite crowded and easily affected by other wireless radios(like Bluetooth/ZigBee or other nearby 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi) on the same wireless spectrum. Moreover, Most Mesh system supports 802.11k/v/r roaming protocols but some IOT devices don't support the 802.11r roaming standard and couldn't recognize the 802.11r related information in the Beacon frames broadcast by Mesh systems.
Across ours and other forums, you will find the following similar behaviors for IoT devices interacting with Mesh Networks.
- Unable to Connect Device to Your Home Network.
- Device is Unable to Stay Connected to your Home Wi-Fi network.
- Deco App Creates Constant “New Device Connected” notifications.
- MyQ devices have trouble reaching myQ sites and services.
Recommended Troubleshooting Suggestions:
1.Make sure your Deco firmware and APP up-to-date.
The latest updates often include fixes to help improve compatibility and stability for devices. You can find the latest version listed on your Product’s Download Page.
2.Check the compatibility of Wireless Security Settings for Authentication.
WPA2 is the first recommended solution and commonly used by most smart devices.
It has been reported that some devices have been updated to more secure authentication types. For example, myQ support recommended WPA3 as a preferred Encryption mode.
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Option one: Enable the separate IOT network for smart devices under Deco APP>More>IOT Network.
The IOT network is on 2.4GHz only with WPA/WPA2 by default and it would work for most smart home devices.
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Option two: Change the Network Security of Your Home Wi-Fi to WPA2/WPA3 – Personal.
Configuring the Network Security Settings of Your Deco Mesh
Be Advised, Changing Your Network Security Settings will temporarily Cause Your Devices to Disconnect!
3.Adjust Settings in the Deco App for Affected Devices:
- Disable Beamforming
- Disable Fast Roaming
- Disable Mesh Technology
4.Enable UPnP or Set a Port Forwarding Rule.
For myQ devices, it is recommended to verify inbound and outbound TCP port 8883 is open.
>>How to set up Port Forwarding feature on the Deco
5.Use the Connection Preference Setting.
Sometimes, IOT devices might stick to the main Deco, instead of the nearest satellite units. A weak wireless signal might cause an unstable connection. You could disable "Mesh Technology" first and manually set a preferred Deco.
>>How to select a preferred signal source on the Deco App
6.Create a Manual IP Reservation with a Low-Range IP for the Device.
>>How to configure Address Reservation on a Deco
There has been a lot of feedback on this topic, resulting in a large number of cases and solutions. Every individual's situation is unique, and while a behavior may look similar, the cause may be from completely different sources.
For More Information from Chamberlain myQ: Please See Their FAQ on Recommended Wi-Fi Settings.