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Installing a home automation system and or adding a new device to your smart home can be an exciting task as you think about all the time and effort you’ll save with your new smart appliance.

But occasionally, you may run into trouble with your smart home automation devices when they fail to connect to your Wi-Fi or home automation systems.

Setting up devices and home automation in Australia can be a complicated process, involving downloading apps, setting up dedicated hubs, integrating smart speakers, and struggling with wi-fi passwords and signal strength.

But, before you give up entirely, there are some simple steps you can take when you run into trouble setting up or adding to their home automation systems.

Below we have detailed some of the most common problems people run into when setting up home automation in Australia, and the quick and simple steps you can take to fix them.

Are You Struggling to Connect Your Smart Home Automation to your Wi-Fi?

One of the most common problems people run into when setting up home automation in Australia is connecting your hub or devices to your smartphone apps. The reason for this is that most Wi-Fi routers transmit one of two different frequencies – 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.

The majority of smart home devices are only compatible with a 2.4 GHz frequency. So, if your phone is connected to a 5 GHz network, you may run into trouble recognising or communicating with your newly installed smart home automation device.

Before you set up your smart home device or download the remote control app, check whether your phone is connected to a 2.4GHz network which will be compatible with a wide range of smart home devices and home controller hubs.

Have You Put the Device in a Place with a Poor Signal?

If you have checked your wi-fi frequency and it is fine, then a poor Wi-Fi signal strength may be the culprit. If you have areas in your home where you struggle to get a decent connection for your phone or laptop, then a smart device will also struggle to connect in the same area.

Try placing your new smart device in a part of the home which has a stronger signal. Or else consider moving your Wi-Fi router to a more central area in your home. If you are still struggling, you can look into getting a Wi-Fi signal booster or router extender to help solve the problem.

Have Your Downloaded the Dedicated Smart Device App?

Even if you going to be controlling your smart device with a smart hub or a voice control speaker system, you will often need to download the app onto your smartphone to complete the setup process or control the device.

This is true of a wide variety of devices such as smart thermostats, smart security systems, cameras, smart lights, and motion sensors.

Your smart device will usually come with instructions about which app to download on your iOS or Android phone and you may find that downloading this onto your phone marks the end of your troubles.

Some smart devices which are compatible with Apple HomeKit or Amazon Alexa will not require you to download an app usually, although you may need to do so to get access to advanced setting features.

Have You Set Up a Login and Password?

If you have ignored or tried to bypass setting up an email and password for your smart device, you are likely to run into trouble completing the setup process.

You will be asked to provide an email and password to keep your devices secure, and this is an essential step to make sure that other people can’t log into and control your security systems, smart switches, and cameras.

When setting up your account, it is very important that you set up a strong and unique password for each device. Reusing the same password and username combination for your devices and other online accounts can compromise your data and financial security if you are hacked.

If you struggle to remember or create unique passwords, you can use a secure account manager to create and manage unique login details for each device and account you use.

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Have You Set Up Your Location in your Smart Device Settings?

Some smart devices will require you to allow location tracking on your smartphone to provide the best services and provide automated assistance.

For example, if you have smart heating, smart security, or smart locks – geofencing features on your smartphone can be set on and off according to your location and how close you are to your home.

Location setting can also be an essential part of setting up your smart smoke alarms and security systems so that they can provide an accurate address to fire, police, and ambulance services in the event of an emergency.

Other smart devices such as smart lights and garden sprinklers can be triggered by information about the current weather in your location and will need accurate data about exactly where your home is.

If you choose not to allow location tracking on your smartphone and connected devices, this can result in limited functionality for your smart home automation system.

Do You Have a Strong Bluetooth Signal?

As well as Wi-Fi, a lot of smart devices will require you to enable Bluetooth during the setup and installation process. Bluetooth has a shorter range than most Wi-Fi signals, so your phone will need to be close to your new smart device in order to connect to it.

After you have set up the device successfully you will be able to use Wi-Fi to control the device on your phone and should not need to rely on Bluetooth for day to day functionality.

Do You Need to Download a Software Update?

When setting up home automation systems and smart devices, you may be asked to download an update immediately after powering on a new piece of equipment.

This is because, in the weeks or months since the device was manufactured, new functionality and improvements have been created which improve the features and running of the equipment. Bugs and issues which have been identified by the company may also be fixed by downloading these files.

After the setup process is complete, most updates can be automated to save you time and ensure that your smart devices are running at an optimum level.

Consider Contacting Your Local Home Automation Experts

If you have tried the quick fixes and solutions for your smart home automation system above and are still having trouble with connecting your smart devices and home hubs, it may be time to contact the experts.

Our automation specialists at Canny Electrics can assess the issues which may be affecting your home automation in Australia. Whether you need assistance with signal boosting, connecting your devices, or fixing other issues, our technicians will be able to help you quickly and at an affordable price.

Get in touch with us now to arrange an appointment so we can help you get your home automation system up and running successfully as quickly as possible. Our experienced experts are on hand to help you with any smart device issue you’re struggling with. Contact us on 1300 522 446 for more details.