Wemo Smart Plugs are very useful and good additions to your home automation. While they are easy to use, there are many issues like glitches in Wemo app, losing communications, etc. Here are some common issues and troubleshooting of Wemo Switch, Mini, and Insight Smart Plugs.
My device is Not Detected
It always happens. Sometimes, one device is not detected. Sometimes, the other or all devices are not detected. I couldn’t find a perfect solution for this.Turning off and then on Wi-Fi of your mobile device might fix sometimes. But, it’s very important to know that the problem is Wemo app only. Though the app is saying “Not Detected,” Wemo is connected to your home Wi-Fi network, and it keeps working on a schedule, timer, etc. You can also use Alexa and IFTTT with no problem. For those who use Wemo app to control devices, I suggest to turn off Wi-Fi on your smartphone. When my smartphone and Wemo app are connected to a cellular network, this problem has never happened. All devices are shown up and available to control.
How to control Wemo smart plugs with 2nd or 3rd mobile device
Let’s say you have multiple mobile devices. And you want to control Wemo smart plugs with all your mobile devices. The app on the first device works smoothly after you set up. Then you install and open the app on the second or third device. You find it impossible to control them because you can’t get out from a setup mode in the app.
To fix this problem, first make sure that the 1st app is enabled of Remote Access. And then, perform a power cycle. A power cycle of Wemo smart plug is very simple. Unplug the smart plug, wait for 20 seconds and then plug it back in. After that, there is no longer a setup screen. You will see the main screen of the app that you can turn on/off, edit, making rules, etc.
It’s strange that if you installed the app on your devices before a setup, you might not get this problem. So if you have multiple mobile devices and want to use them to control Wemo, you have to install the app first then a setup.
If Wemo keeps performing rules you deleted…
Sometimes, Wemo keeps a schedule, timer or alert even after you deleted them. And you are sure you did it because you don’t see them in the Rules section. If it happens, you will need to clear Rules along with Name and Icon in the following steps
- Open the app
- Tap “Edit” (a pencil icon)
- Choose Wemo device you want to clear Rules
- Tap “Reset Options”
- Tap “Reset Name, Rules & Date” (iOS) or “Clear Product Info” (Android)
- Tap “Yes” or “OK”
After clearing it, change back the name you are using for Alexa, IFTTT, or the other smart home devices. As long as I know, you don’t need to do anything else but changing back the name to continue to make it work with Alexa and IFTTT.
After a power outage, Wemo has issues
After a power outage, your Wemo smart plugs may get erratic in some way. Symptoms vary from situation to situation. Here are some common symptoms and troubleshooting.
If Wemo app can’t find a device…
No matter how many times you restart the app and press a refresh button in the app, it can’t detect your device. If it happens, do a power cycle: Unplug the smart plug, wait for 20 seconds, and then plug it back in.
Applets of IFTTT don’t work
After a power outage, Applet of IFTTT may no longer work although others such as Wemo app or Alexa function without a problem. If it happens, follow these steps
- Open IFTTT app and login
- Open Wemo app
- Tap “More” (iOS) or “Setting (a gear icon)” (Android)
- Tap “Connect to IFTTT”
- Tap “Connect”
- Choose your Wemo device and Done
If it still not works, perform a power cycle and then do the steps above.
Firmware Update related issues
A firmware update is necessary for Wemo products to work properly. Before upgrading a firmware, make sure to update Wemo app to the latest version.
Firmware Update will never finish
You are prompted to upgrade firmware. And you accept and let the app start upgrading, but it won’t finish upgrading. It seems it would take forever to complete a firmware update. Don’t worry. The app just doesn’t change the screen automatically to tell you it’s done. If you are waiting for more than 10 minutes, restart the app, and you will see the word “Upgraded” on the main screen.
After a firmware Update, Wemo doesn’t work
After a firmware update, sometimes Wemo loses connection to your home network. If it happens, the smart plug needs a power cycle. Unplug the smart plug, wait 20 seconds and plug it back.
A Factory Reset
If none of them resolve the problem, perform a factory reset as a last resort. Remember that resetting Wemo smart plugs to default factory setting will erase all data and setup. And you can’t retrieve them. And you may also need to uninstall and re-install the app after the reset. There are two ways to reset Wemo smart plug to default factory setting.
I recommend doing both methods. But resetting through the app first because you can’t do this method after resetting manually on Wemo devices. And resetting manually alone may not be able to erase rules, name, schedules, etc. As a result, sometimes you may see an old name in the app, or Wemo may keep old schedules, etc.
A factory reset through Wemo app
- Open the app
- Tap “Edit (a pencil icon)”
- Choose a Wemo device you want to reset
- Tap “Reset Options”
- Tap “Erase All Content and Settings”
- Tap “Yes” or “OK”
A factory reset manually on the smart plug
- Unplug Wemo smart plug
- Hold down a reset button
- Plug Wemo in while holding down the button
- Keep holding down the button for about 5 seconds and release
- LED indicator is flashing for 60 to 90 seconds
- When you see a LED indicator flash alternately blue and amber (Switch), white and amber (Mini), or green and amber (Insight), it’s done.
Summary
In most cases, a power cycle of Wemo smart plug resolves the issues. Restarting the app and/or Wi-Fi on your mobile devices may work, too. But none of them fix the issues, perform a factory reset as a last resort.