Smart plugs provide one of the easiest ways to transform old home equipment into smart devices. Gosund is a famous brand for smart plugs helping elevate our traditional devices into smart ones. Once the plug is set up on the app and connected to your home Wi-Fi network, you can remotely control and schedule devices, etc. But first, you got to connect it. Therefore, it’s a significant cause of concern when your Gosund smart plug is not connecting.
Gosund smart plug won’t connect because you use a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, your mobile device runs on a VPN, or out of your network’s range.
In this post, I will help you diagnose the source of the connection problem and offer solutions to fix it. Let’s get going.
Gosund Smart Plug Not Connecting to Wi-Fi
Typically, Gosund smart plug won’t connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network. When setting up these smart plugs, ensure that you use the 2.4 GHz frequency band, disable any VPN on your mobile device, and be sure you are within your Wi-Fi range. Power cycle your network devices to improve your network signal, and try reconnecting the plug.
That said, here are some common factors that affect your smart plug pairing process;
- Trying to connect to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network. Like most home products, Gosund plugs only support the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi frequency band.
- Running a VPN or Ad-guard on your mobile device. This masks your device’s IP address; it can’t access other devices on your network.
- Placing the smart plug away from the router (out of your router’s Wi-Fi range)
- Not allowing the necessary location or Bluetooth permission when setting.
- The plug isn’t in pairing mode – the indicator flashes rapidly
- Using an incorrect Wi-Fi password when pairing to your network.
- App software issues
How To Fix Gosund Smart Plug Not Connecting
Before jumping into the nitty gritty, ensure that your mobile device is connected to the intended 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and that you have disabled any VPN or Ad guard software on your mobile device.
Power cycle your devices, the router, the smart plug, and your mobile device.
To power cycle, unplug the device from the power outlet, give it 20 – 30 seconds, and reconnect it. Please start with the router, wait for it to initialize, and follow up with the other devices.
It’s worth noting that Gosund smart plugs are compatible with the Gosund and Smart Life apps. You can use either of the apps to set up and connect your plug. Both apps are available on both Google Play and Apple stores.
The Smart Life app allows you to control multiple brands from a centralized point. I always prefer it for my standalone brands. Other than having many apps on my mobile device.
When setting up your Smart life or Gosund app, be keen to grant permission as prompted. The apps need Location and Bluetooth permissions to access a device on your network.
Now, try these solutions to fix the plug’s connection problem.
Check Your Network Settings
As stated, Gosund plugs only support the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi frequency band. Therefore, ensure that your router broadcasts a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
If your router has 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies on a single SSID, separate them to avoid conflicts. Alternatively, turn off the 5 GHz option when setting up the plug; once it’s paired and working, turn back on the 5 GHz frequency.
To manage your router settings, log in to the admin panel. Find the default login details at the bottom of your router or contact your ISP provider for guidance.
Also, ensure the network security encryption is set to WPA or WPA2 and the Authorization type to AES.
Finally, check the MAC address filtering setting. It could prevent the authorization of devices from joining your network. Thus, causing a connection failure.
Your mobile device must be connected to the same 2.4 GHz network you are attempting to pair the smart plug.
Once you have made changes, reboot the router to apply them and reconnect your devices.
Move The Plug Closer
To ensure a strong and stable internet connection, ensure the plug is close to the router during setup.
Placing your plug at the furthest corner of the house is a sure way of getting yourself stuck on the connecting stage. The Wi-Fi signal weakens as you move away from the router and as the number of obstacles increases.
Alternatively, you can get a Wi-Fi extender or install a mesh network setup to spread the Wi-Fi signal strength across your home evenly.
Once you move closer to the source, use the Gosund or Smart Life app to try reconnecting your plug.
Disable Your VPN and Ad guard
If you have an active VPN or Ad guard software on your mobile device, turn it off when connecting your plug to your Wi-Fi network.
The VPN masks your IP address and won’t discover new devices connected to the router.
Disable the VPN and restart the device to refresh your network connection; once your phone restarts, try connecting the plug.
Again, an Adblocker or Ad guard can have the same effect as a VPN. If your device has an ad guard, temporarily turn it off to add your plug.
Reset The Plug and Reconnect
The plug must be in pairing mode when connecting to your account. When in pairing mode, the plug’s status indicator blinks blue continuously. This allows you to set up the plug in EZ mode.
To reset your plug, press and hold the reset button for 5 – 10 seconds. The plug enters pairing mode – the LED indicator flashes rapidly.
With your mobile device connected to the same network, try reconnecting your plug through your selected app. Also, turn off your mobile data during the setup process.
This option connects to the device in EZ mode faster than in AP mode.
Both Smart Life and Gosund apps have EZ and AP setup modes.
Connect The Plug Through AP Mode
AP mode allows you to connect to the device’s network. It’s the go-to option when one is experiencing network connection issues.
To connect your plug through AP Mode, perform a double reset to enter the slow flashing setup mode. Connecting to the plug’s hotspot helps you confirm that the device is in pairing mode and not faulty.
First, perform the normal reset by pressing the reset button for 5 – 10 seconds. While the plug is quickly flashing, perform another reset.
In some models, the power button is also the reset button.
When in AP setup mode, the LED indicator flashes slowly once every two seconds.
Here’s how to set up AP mode;
- Launch your Gosund or Smart Life app
- Tap the “+” icon
- Tap Electrical from the list of device categories
- Choose your device type > Socket (Wi-Fi). Choose the option appropriate for your plug device
- Choose your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and enter your password. Hit Next
- Switch the setup mode to AP mode for the Gosund app. The EZ mode is the default option; tap the top right icon and switch to AP mode.
- Double Reset the plug to enter pairing mode. Once your plug blinks slowly, confirm this on the app and tap Next.
- Connect to the device’s hotspot. Tap the “Go to Connect” button to open your phone settings and connect to the “SmartLife-XXXX” network. Return to the Gosund app after connecting > tap Confirm hot spot connection next.
- Device connecting. Let the app find, register, and initialize your device. Once it’s located, name it and tap Done to finish up.
This should get your Gosund plug connected.
Bonus Solutions
If the connection problem persists, here are some bonus tips to try.
Uninstall and reinstall the Gosund app – You could be experiencing a connection failure due to an outdated Smart Life app. First, clear the app cache, and check if any updates are available on your respective app.
If an update is due, download and install it on your device and try reconnecting your plug. If the update method fails, uninstall and install the app afresh.
Try a different device – I had this tab that had problems connecting some smart home device brands. Once I tried setting up the device on my iPhone, it could work.
It could be the same issue with your device; try setting up the Smart plug with a different phone (preferably running on another OS)
Switch the apps – If you can’t get your Gosund plug hooked to your network via the Gosund app, try the Smart Life app, and vice versa. As stated earlier, Gosund smart plugs are compatible with Smart Life and Gosund apps.
Faulty device – If the device logic is corrupted, you won’t get through. An example of a defective device case is when the smart plug won’t broadcast its hotspot when set up in AP mode.
Contact your Gosund support team or return the plug to the respective store for a replacement.
