August Smart Lock Wi-Fi Not Working? Troubleshooting the Connect Bridge
The August Smart Lock offers the brilliant convenience of controlling your door from anywhere in the world. However, this powerful remote-access feature is entirely dependent on one crucial component: the August Connect Wi-Fi bridge. If your lock is suddenly showing as "Offline" in the app or you can't operate it when you're away from home, the problem almost certainly lies with the Connect bridge.
This guide will walk you through the steps to diagnose and resolve Wi-Fi connectivity issues, getting your smart lock back online.
Understanding the Role of the August Connect
It's important to understand how your system works. Your August Smart Lock itself does not have Wi-Fi. It only has Bluetooth.
- When you're at home: Your smartphone communicates directly with the lock using Bluetooth.
- When you're away: Your smartphone sends a command over the internet to the August servers. The servers then send that command to your August Connect bridge via your home Wi-Fi. The Connect bridge then relays the command to your lock using Bluetooth.
Therefore, if Wi-Fi and remote access fail, we need to focus all our troubleshooting efforts on the Connect bridge.
Step-by-Step Solutions for an Offline Connect Bridge
Let's start with the most common and effective fixes.
### Step 1: The Simple Reboot
Like any network device, the Connect bridge can sometimes get into a confused state. A simple power cycle is the most effective first step.
- Unplug the August Connect from the wall socket.
- Unplug your Wi-Fi router from its power source.
- Wait for 60 seconds. This allows both devices to fully power down and clear their memory.
- Plug the router back in first. Wait for 2-3 minutes for it to fully boot up and establish an internet connection.
- Plug the August Connect back in. Place it in a socket near the lock and wait a few minutes for it to reconnect.
Check the August app. In many cases, this simple sequence will resolve the problem.
### Step 2: Check the Status Light and Location
The small LED light on the front of the August Connect is your best diagnostic tool.
- Solid Green: Perfect. The Connect is online and communicating. If the app still shows an issue, the problem may be with the app itself (try restarting it).
- Flashing Green: The Connect is trying to establish a connection, either to your Wi-Fi or to the lock. This is normal during startup.
- Flashing Red: Communication has failed. This is the light that tells you there's a problem.
If you see a red light, the issue is almost always related to the Connect's location. The bridge has two jobs, and it needs to be in a location to do both:
- It must be within Bluetooth range of the lock (approx. 10-15 feet).
- It must have a good Wi-Fi signal from your router.
If you have the Connect plugged in behind a thick sofa or at the opposite end of the house from your router, it will struggle. The ideal location is in a direct line of sight to the lock, in a socket that is not too far from your Wi-Fi router. Experiment with different power sockets to find the sweet spot.
### Step 3: Check Your Wi-Fi Network Settings
The August Connect has specific network requirements.
- Connects to 2.4GHz Only: The bridge does not work with 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. If you have a modern router that combines both bands under a single name, the Connect can sometimes get confused. If possible, log in to your router settings and create a separate, dedicated 2.4GHz network for your smart home devices.
- Check for Network Changes: Have you recently changed your Wi-Fi password or network name (SSID)? If so, you will need to reset your August Connect and set it up again with the new credentials. You can do this in the August app under the Connect's settings by choosing "Disconnect Wi-Fi Network".
By methodically checking the power, location, and network configuration of your August Connect bridge, you can solve nearly all remote access issues and ensure your August Smart Lock is always online when you need it.