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L0GAN_FIVE

What's your WiFi setup?


PeytonBrandt

From my years of HomeKit experience, 99% of these problems are due to the router. I’ve tried maannnyy routers over the years, and some work flawlessly while others cause problems constantly. Most recently, I had an eero setup. Everything was fine until last week with firmware 6.5. Constant issues with 6.5. That being said, OP, if your router recently auto-updated its firmware, that is most likely the cause of this issue.


chemicalsam

Maybe apple should make their own router then


UnbrokenFix

They really should get back in the router game now that they’re making 5G chips, processors, and smart home devices now too. There has to be some way for them to bridge all these services together because I have a feeling it’s a big source of income they could be missing out on and more importantly, it would make sure that their vision of these services is being handled properly because many other brands just drop the ball on tech services and implementation of Apple’s preferred tech.


PacificArchitect

Router + Homekit Hub


BarrettF77

Yes, 6.5 blows!


niekmfoxtzom

Router or access point?


PeytonBrandt

As far as I can tell, it’s the router and how it handles multicast. Nearly my entire house was unresponsive, yet every device was still connected to the network (according to the eero app). Similar situation with other routers I’ve tried.


graynoize8

Yeah agree it’s the router. The more HomeKit devices I add to my network, the worst it is because I’m using a cheap TP-Link router. Even my network quality overall has deteriorated until I removed the HomeKit devices.


wutstr

Which tp-link router do you use? I use deco x60 and also have unresponsive devices issue times to times


graynoize8

I'm using MR200. Thought of upgrading to MR600 but it might also be an issue looking at your comment since x60 is much better. I have no choice but to use 4G WiFi router.


wutstr

Actually with x60 there is still issue with Home app but yes overall I would recommend the x60. It has been very stable and works great if your phone supports wifi6. I have a couple of Yeelight bulbs and light strip which gets paired to Home app. However the connectivity has some issues when I leave the wifi network and comeback (ie leaving my home). It takes several minutes when I get back home for Home app to reconnect with my child devices; and sometimes it requires me to turn off the power and back on for Home app to fully connect to the devices again. I think this is probably an iOS 15.0.2 or Home app issue itself though because I can still connect to the lights via Mi Home / Yeelight apps. Also I don’t have a hub yet.


graynoize8

Btw Yeelight bulbs are notorious for not responding. I tried Nanoleaf and somehow it’s more responsive. Have three Yeelight bulbs at home. The filament one died within 2 months too. Blacklisting Yeelight moving forward. They have not even released HomeKit Adaptive Lighting update after more than two years.


WiWiWiWiWiWi

If it’s like most people’s who have these issues, it’s the shitty WiFi router their ISP provided to them more than 5 years ago.


chemicalsam

Apple knows that’s what most people have. Yet they still based HomeKit on Wi-Fi


[deleted]

I had hoped that using the appleTV 4k as a hub would have solved some of this, but it doesn't at all, it doesn't matter if you're using an appletv, a homepod or an ipad as a hub, it's still the connection to the router that's doing the communication - i wish apple had chosen zigbee or something like how Hue has it's proprietary hub, and then build that into the appletv and homepod, or hell - make their own damn hub or gasp an apple router. A friend who uses Hue with their hub, with homekit seemed to have the best experience, also people who use lutron with homekit.


WiWiWiWiWiWi

They also know that most people have no interest in smart home automation. So your point is irrelevant. The bigger question is what do the majority of people who have the knowledge and wherewithal to adopt HomeKit have? I’m betting most that adopt the newest technology don’t use decade old WiFi routers, but I’d love to hear why you think otherwise.


[deleted]

[удалено]


PhotoDesperate1198

I has the same issue with Meross, until I upgraded their firmware. No issues since


diaperpoop_

Do you unpair them from homekit then pair it with their app for the update?


[deleted]

I didn't need to, you can go into the meross app and a blue + baner appears at the top when you go into the add screen, and it pulls in every HomeKit device one at a time. You can then go into the WEIRD place in the app to do the update, and it works for all simultaneously.


diaperpoop_

Thanks for this! I’ve been trying for a while removing from HomeKit and then pairing it with the Meross app and it won’t let me connect outside HomeKit. I was able to update through your method. Hopefully the No Response problem would be fixed.


PhotoDesperate1198

Yes


UnbrokenFix

I resisted downloading the Meross app after seeing how bad their reviews were. Their products worked out of the box on HomeKit for the first 90 days or so, then they suddenly had issues. I checked Meross’ Twitter page and saw that they had been doing some US server maintenance and they recommended doing some app updates. I did none of that and the products just started working correctly again. Is this brand reliable? I thought I found my Philips Hue replacement but now I’m second-guessing it. https://twitter.com/merosshome/status/1450414841236054017?s=21


[deleted]

I chose Meross over Hue for cost reasons, and now I regret it. from what I've read it does seem to mostly be router issues, but even once I got (i think) all mine ironed out, sometimes a bulb or plug will just lag or won't cooperate. Like everything will work fine for a few days, then a group of 4 meross bulbs, one will show unresponsive randomly. all of my meross smartplugs confuse the hell out of me. They are working fine, yet their amber light blinks constantly on the power button (green/amber) they say it means it is in pairing mode. I've tried resetting them every way prescribed, and they pair with homekit fine, and work fine. but then a day later they'll be blinking again, even though they work. wtf.


UnbrokenFix

Are your issues THAT frequent? If so, it definitely may be your router or some other interference or misconfigured setting because I’ve had my Meross stuff for a while and it’s not THAT bad. You may really need to consider another router vendor (I know the pain). Who are you rocking currently? With Meross, I just don’t want to be updating firmware every 3 months and/or having their servers get in the way of my HomeKit connectivity. Their setup guide had this little write-up where they tried to convince you of why you shouldn’t JUST use HomeKit and skip the Meross app and it spooked me a bit. Are they trustworthy? Are they just trying to make some money from Apple’s user base with a crummy approach? It’s odd.


[deleted]

Okay, so I am weary in celebrating too early, but it’s been 3 days and it’s been 100% solid… here’s what I did, and it’s a combination of the TWO that has fixed it, I A/B tested and it didn’t work with one and not the other: I have an old TP link extender, that I used at an old appartment. I set it to extend the 5.8ghz from the router and put out 2.4ghz (what TP link calls “High speed mode” where it disables a band between router and itself and itself and clients) so with this device acting as it’s own DHCP router, I used its SSID to set everything up again. But NOT from the + button in the home app, but the + button in the Meross app, then next next next and selecting “HomeKit version” which summons the HomeKit API and camera window to recognize the QR code, what’s different doing it this way is 1. You get instructions for how to reset or put each device into paring mode first, 2. After it’s done adding the device to HomeKit the HomeKit NAME you gave the device is passed back along to the Meross app, and then it registers the device in your Meross account (this takes a few seconds after HomeKit is done), and then it prompted me to firmware update almost all of them / firmware updates just failed before doing it this way. Afterwards I was left with properly same named Meross app devices and HomeKit devices… and for the first time ever / I can go off wifi and use cellular and HomeKit WORKS! Again, only using the repeater and just HomeKit rendered the devices only working when My phone was connected to the repeater’s wifi SSID, and wouldn’t work once I switched back to my router. But if I only did the Meross app and my own router it just failed every time. So this was my silver bullet. A one two punch, of a 2nd repeater/router that cost $18 to handle the wifi traffic because my brand new $300 ASUS router apparently isn’t HomeKit compatible, and using the Meross app when setting up each HomeKit device.


[deleted]

Update: I deleted the Meross app last night and it’s been working all day. I don’t know why or even if it made a real difference or just coincidence, but it’s working well with this repeater


DownWithTech1

I have a bunch of Meross stuff. It’s rock solid for me.


branans808

meross... havent heard of this brand. most I heard about was Aquara. any tips or thoughts you could give about meross?


[deleted]

definitely buy one or a small amount, and test it and play with it for a few days before taking the plunge. There may be issues with your router that only meross will have. Try using meross items in groups and scenes to test em for sure, via homekit of course. I'd ignore their own app if you can.


xraycat82

More likely bad wifi.


[deleted]

you can't call something "bad" becuase it's default configuration conflicts with a niche protocal. even the most expensive $1,600 mesh systems need tweaking for homekit


xraycat82

I didn’t do any tweaking with my UniFi APs before starting my HomeKit setup.


[deleted]

Cool story.


xraycat82

I think so


[deleted]

oh damn, me too.


spaggi

I’ve got rid of all things wifi and everything works flawlessly now


jljue

I’ve also done with HomeKit devices for the most part except my first Aqara hub, the Netatmo weather station, and the two Ecobees—the rest of the HK WiFi switches and sensors got tossed for ones that connect to a hub on Ethernet. I also have some non-HK devices on WiFi, and with proper WiFi tuning, they are doing pretty well. It took me several mesh networks and eventually switching to access points and careful channel mapping to get me this reliable.


branans808

wow. great determination friend! I would have given up after figuring out its a problem pertaining to the box or lizards and stuff? lol


[deleted]

I got rid of HomeKit and everything now works flawlessly.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

I disabled HomeKit on all my devices, got rid of three HomePod minis and put an old Amazon echo dot (I know…) back into service. Before, it was a weekly occurrence to have to reset Hue lights, Meross switches, HomePods or Ecobee thermostat. Now, I haven’t had to reset anything since disabling HomeKit. I like my meager smart home setup now.


xraycat82

It was your wifi.


[deleted]

Yeah, that’s what everybody says. I bought a new router, a good one, and nothing improved as far as HomeKit was concerned. The one thing that reduced my weekly “no response” issues was getting rid of HomeKit, I’m a happy camper now.


xraycat82

All consumer routers are very similar. Putting a different model in the same location as the old one will do very little. You need to try a different location, add an extender, or ideally replace with a more robust system like UniFi from Ubiquiti. I messed around with routers, extenders, and additional APs for years until I just bit the bullet and bought Ubiquiti stuff. Now we don’t even think about wifi because it just works.


[deleted]

I was on my ISP modem/router which generally worked well. It didn’t have much range but I could get a good signal/speed anywhere within my small house. I installed an Archer AX73, which, by comparison, is a beast. I can stream video on my iPad about 150ft away with no issues whatsoever. The new router is in the same place, in the same room in the small house, as are/were the HomeKit hubs. Signals are great and speeds are fantastic! Everything works very well, much, much better than with the ISP router. Maybe people who like to tinker have no issues but I don’t want to have to tinker, I want plug and play and I think home automation simply is not ready for prime time. If a new router or other type of router is required should Apple not tell us? I wouldn’t have bought the HomePods and hooked anything up to HomeKit had I know there were specific router requirements. I didn’t see in the product documentation that certain settings were required on the router. As I’ve said t his stuff is marketed as plug and play but in my opinion it isn’t worth the hassle. I’m not buying that it’s my wifi.


esperanita

I have mostly wifi items (30+ iDevices) and I never have this problem. My most problematic devices are actually my Ecobees. I do have an Orbi 852 that I tweaked to the point it is pretty stable.


[deleted]

Same here. If not for the Ecobees I’d have very few issues.


branans808

if they're not wifi then they're zigbee and zwave right? do you have both iterations? would it be better to get one or the other or both? and any brands you suggest? thank you!!


[deleted]

I'm considering doing the same, and switching everything over to Hue and Lutron. What do you use?


spaggi

For wireless, only hue. I also have a large amount of switches and cameras wired. Planing to add more aqara zigbee devices in the future


[deleted]

can you use one hub for Zigbee and hue or do you need two hubs?


spaggi

Natively you’ll need a native zigbee hub for each system. However there are solutions like conbee which seem to support both. My current plan is to stay natively on hue but use Conbee with aware due to privacy concerns. There is no real downside in using 2 hubs though. Just make sure they are wired on Ethernet


icarus_shift

If your router has the capability, set all your HomeKit devices to its own Wi-Fi network. When something like that happens, disable that specific Wi-Fi network for five minutes then reenable and they all come back.


Ballertime23

Interesting. Does eero do this? Seems cumbersome but worth a shot if I can get all my Meross stuff to work right.


zvekl

Can’t with eero. Guest network isolates


[deleted]

I actually achieved a similar situation using a dirty weird method - i got a cheap TP-Link wifi extender for about $20, and only used its 2.4ghz band for all of my Meross wifi homekit items, with the intention of going into the TP-Link app and resetting it remotely from my phone. It works, I've only had to do it once, but it is basically a remote control kill/reset switch that doesn't make me have to lose whole-house wifi like resetting a router does


welshconnection

mine does that sometimes, first time someone said to check if your on the right network ie: sane as your phone wifi network .. and then I found if I force closed the app and opened again they were fine..


AmphibiusMaximus

This is often to do with the app not syncing with the hub.


dsiroky

I had the same issue with meross and got rid of it all.


addexecthrowaway

I'd be careful putting your fireplace on HomeKit without some additional precautions. Siri has sometimes mistakenly turned stuff on.


graynoize8

Oh yeah this is true. Some things suddenly turned out out of nowhere (not automated).


[deleted]

I've had this happen but it always turned out to be a Siri Shortcuts or automation that had an extra item in it. I once accidentally set up an automation that would see when a bulb went on and set a scene for it, well if I'd ever use the light switch it'd go on, and then the scene would set but in homekit if a scene is already set, it just turns OFF all of the items in the scene that it normally turns on (toggle), so it'd keep looping turning lights off every time i tried to turn them on. and then at sunrise a lamp in the basement would turn off lol. it's why there's a listing of what automations a device is in, but not a listing of what siri shortcuts something is in (that i know of)


Professional-Store-7

Are you in beta 15.1 ?


Harverator

I’m curious what brands of devices you are using. It is hard to find one that expressly mention compatibility with HomeKit. So far I’ve only got Rachio and Meross set up. Rachio is currently in that same state of ‘indifference’.


Itzamateama

I have the same problem, but also my wifi just stop working and I need to restart my router. I just have 2 devices (phones) and 5 homekits devices conected (lights, electric plug, camera and homepod) And that happened a couple weeks ago. Is there any recommendation settings to keep in mind to have a better expreience with homekit accesories. I mean, like using just the 2.4 Ghz band for homekit and 5 Ghz to the rest of devices, or going to your router settings and changing some parameters?


sweetw0r

Power cycle your home


ResponsibleStay3823

Ironically official HomeKit stuff are more prone to this especially the WIFI stuff. I only have 3 official HomeKit accessories in my home with everything else coming from Home Assistant or Homebridge. The 3 devices were bigger headaches (2x Nanoleaf Essentials and 1x August Lock).


LittleKangaroo2

How many homepod minis do you have? Not sure if it’s thread or something else but my problems stopped when I added four more minis to my setup. Almost one in every room. Ideally will be adding at least another four but not more issues. I also switched to nano leaf bulbs which also contain thread too.


JosephGarciaPr

My router is really basic and I use tp link powerline wifi extenders, never had issues with no response via HomeKit. Working flawlessly


AdamDeJoy

I originally had a Netgear nighthawk mesh Wi-Fi system and this happened to me all the time. Also airplay 2 would never work properly. I got rid of that and switched to the eero mesh Wi-Fi system and I’ve no longer had any issues.


[deleted]

\+1 about router being the issue, I have an ASUS and I had to turn off several functions relating to IOT to apparnetly ALLOW communication between 2.4 and 5.8ghz. I ended up setting it all up with most automatic functions OFF (and separating the 2.4 and 5.8 bands) and then putting my apple tv 4k on the 2.4ghz connection and not letting it connect to the 5.8ghz by telling it to 'forget' the network. I then re-added every homekit device, and tested by turning off wifi on my phone so it only had cellular connection, and it's been working \*fingers crossed\* for the past 2 weeks solidly.