Wink Hub Won't Connect to Wi-Fi? (Possible Causes & Fixes)
The Wink Hub is a genius piece of smart home technology. This smart hub router syncs up with other smart home appliances on your Wi-Fi network. It streamlines your ability to talk to all compatible smart home equipment through one device. Using the Wink App, you can control all connected appliances with voice or touch.
Chances are you know the struggle of anything that relies on Wi-Fi connection. Half the time it flakes out, the other half it mysteriously won’t connect to the network. This can sometimes happen with smart hubs too. Is your Wink Hub not connecting to Wi-Fi?
Your Wink Hub likely won’t connect to Wi-Fi because of a bad home internet connection. Another cause might be that you recently changed your network settings. Your Hub and router might also have a weak connection. Luckily, resetting both your router and Wink Hub usually solves the problem.
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What are Signs my Wink Hub Is Offline?
You might be asking how to tell when your Wink Hub is offline. The easiest way to tell is if your Hub has a flashing pink or yellow light. The Wink App will also indicate that your Hub is offline.
A pink flashing light means your Hub has completely disconnected from the network. You will need to configure it again by providing current Wi-Fi credentials. A yellow flashing light means your Hub is attempting to connect to the Wi-Fi network and Wink App.
What are the Common Reasons Wink Hub Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi?
When your Wink Hub won’t connect to Wi-Fi, there are a few common causes. Thankfully most of these come with simple solutions.
Here are the most likely scenarios:
- Bad internet connection. Your home Wi-Fi network might be down for the count. Check the router, it might be experiencing connection issues.
- Your router isn’t compatible with your smart hub. The Wink Hub is only capable of connecting to a 2.4ghz router.
- You have the wrong router security settings. Your router security scheme must be supported by the Wink Hub. This means the Hub can only connect to an open or WPA-PSK network.
- You recently changed your Wi-Fi network settings. If you change your network settings, you will need to reconfigure your Hub to match these new credentials.
- Your Wink is too close or far from the router. If the distance is too close or far, your Hub and router might experience a disconnect. Aim for a 5’-15’ distance between the two.
How Can I Troubleshoot my Wink Hub?
Your Wink Hub might be offline for a few different reasons. Either it’s due to the hub itself, the router, or a faulty connection between the two.
Here are some easy ways to troubleshoot your Wink Hub’s Wi-Fi connection issues:
- Check the Hub light color. Different colored lights on your Hub indicate different errors. If there is a steady blue light, the Hub is online. If there is a flashing pink or yellow light, the Hub is offline and disconnected from the network.
- Check router connection. Your Wink Hub going offline might have to do with a bad router connection. Check your mobile device or other Wi-Fi devices. Are they connected to the internet? If not, you might have a home Wi-Fi outage.
- Check router security settings. To find your Wi-Fi network security settings, search the router URL in a browser. Then input the username and password provided in the router manual. This will load the router homepage, where you can view security settings. Your Wink Hub will only be able to connect to a WPA-PSK or open network.
- Check the distance between the hub and router. Your Hub should be at least 3’ from the router, and no further than 20’-30’. The sweet spot is 5’-15’ apart, with minimal obstructions.
How to Connect Wink Hub to Wi-Fi
Have you troubleshooted your Wink Hub connection issue? The problem is likely due to home Wi-Fi outage or lost communication between your router and hub. Once you’ve pinpointed the problem, here are steps you can take to fix it.
Step 1: Fix Router Connection.
If your home Wi-Fi is down, your Hub won’t be able to connect to the internet. To fix this, power cycle your router by turning off the power switch for 30 seconds. You could also just unplug it from the wall, wait 30 seconds, and plug back in. Then wait 1 to 5 minutes before checking to see if your internet is back up.
Step 2: Move Hub Closer to Router (or Further).
Where you place your Wink Hub in relation to the router matters. Are the two located over 15’ away from each other? That may be too far for them to establish solid communication. They also shouldn’t be any closer than 3’ from each other. Make sure to move your router or Wink Hub to a more effective location.
Step 3: Reset your Wink Hub.
If the router connection isn’t the issue, your smart hub connection might be. You’ll want to try resetting the Wink Hub. Keep in mind: if you do this your Hub will need to be configured to the network again (you can do this using the Wink App).
Here’s how to reset the Wink Hub:
- Stick a paperclip into the reset hole on the bottom of the hub.
- Hold this button down for 30 seconds.
- While still holding the reset button, unplug the power cable.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug the power cable back in.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Release the reset button.
Step 4: Update Wink Network Settings.
Have you recently changed your home Wi-Fi network credentials? This might be the reason your Wink Hub is offline. Wink requires you to update the configuration each time you make a Wi-Fi network change. To update your Wink network settings:
- Log into the Wink App.
- View the Wi-Fi Settings menu under Wink Hub Settings.
- Enter your new Wi-Fi credentials, then tap Update.
- Wait a few minutes; your Wink should connect to new network settings.
Step 5: Change Wi-Fi Network Security Settings.
Without certain security settings on your router, the Wink Hub won’t be able to connect. Your router needs to be set to open network or WPA-PSK to connect.
Unfortunately, many routers still come with WEP security settings. To find out if this is the case for yours, consider your network password. Is it exactly 10 or 26 characters long, and only made of numbers or letters? It’s probably WEP configured.
To change the settings from WEP to WPA-PSK, refer to your router’s manual for instructions.
How Does Wink Hub Connect to the Internet?
The Wink Hub communicates with your home wireless router. To connect with the router, the Hub uses Wi-Fi. It will then use your high-speed internet service to communicate with the Wink cloud. The Wink Hub is rendered useless without a working 2.4ghz router, and an internet provider.
Interested in other smart hubs? Check out these alternative options.
Related Questions
Does Wink Hub require a subscription?
Wink surprised users in 2020 with a statement about a new subscription-based system. The company forced users to purchase a subscription to continue using the service. If they chose not to, Wink devices would no longer be accessible from the app. Voice control, API and automations would also be disabled. The current subscription model is $4.99 a month.
How do I update Wink Hub?
Your Wink Hub will periodically require software updates. When the latest version is released, the Wink App will display an “Update Required” banner. Tap on the banner to download the latest version.
What devices are compatible with Wink Hub?
Many smart home appliances are compatible with Wink Hub. There are over 400 smart devices you can connect and control with this smart hub. It’s compatible with products made by Nest, Amazon, Google, Ring, Philips, Ecobee, Go Control, Yale, Chamberlain, and more.
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To Sum It Up
The Wink Hub is a smart router that smoothly syncs with multiple smart home appliances. It acts like a powerful antenna, allowing you to control various devices in your home. It’s simple to talk to all your devices remotely using the Wink App. Adjust your home’s lighting, air conditioning, and many other Wi-Fi compatible smart units.
Anything that requires an internet connection to work can hit a snag. The Wink Hub is a powerful product but can sometimes go offline. For one, your home Wi-Fi might have crashed. Your Hub might also need a hard reset or isn’t compatible with your router security settings. There is also a chance your router and Hub are too close or too far apart.
The fix is usually a simple one. Make sure to reconnect your router and modem by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Also ensure a 3’-15’ distance between your Hub and router. If these don’t solve the issue, reset your Wink Hub. If you’ve recently changed your Wi-Fi network credentials, make sure you update these in your Wink App.
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