How to Fix a Failed Merkury Firmware Update
A failed firmware update can leave your Merkury smart device, whether it's a camera, smart plug, or light bulb, unresponsive and disconnected from the Geeni app. This frustrating issue usually happens due to a momentary loss of power or an unstable Wi-Fi connection during the update process.
Fortunately, most devices can be recovered with a few simple troubleshooting steps. This guide will walk you through the process of bringing your Merkury device back online.
Why Do Merkury Firmware Updates Fail?
Understanding the cause can help prevent the problem in the future. The most common reasons are:
- Unstable Wi-Fi Signal: The device's connection to your router was weak or dropped during the update.
- Internet Outage: Your home's internet connection went down, even for a moment.
- Power Fluctuation: A brief power cut or surge interrupted the process.
- App or Server Issues: Sometimes the problem can be on the server-side or with the Geeni app itself.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Your Merkury Device
Follow these steps in order. Most issues are resolved with the first two steps.
1. Power Cycle the Device
This is the simplest and often most effective solution. It involves completely rebooting the device.
- Unplug from Power: For a smart plug or camera, remove it from the wall outlet. For a smart bulb, you can either unscrew it or turn off the light switch or lamp it's connected to.
- Wait for 60 Seconds: This is an important step. Leaving the device unplugged for a full minute ensures that any residual power is discharged and the internal memory is fully cleared.
- Plug It Back In: Reconnect the device to its power source.
- Observe the Device: Give the device a few minutes to boot up and attempt to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network. Check the Geeni app to see if it comes back online.
2. Improve Your Wi-Fi Connection
A weak signal is a primary culprit for failed updates. Before you try updating again, improve the connection.
- Move Closer to the Router: If the device is far from your Wi-Fi router, temporarily move it much closer for the duration of the update.
- Reduce Network Congestion: Pause any heavy internet activities on your network, such as streaming 4K video, online gaming, or large file downloads, while you perform the update.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your Wi-Fi router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This can resolve temporary glitches that may be affecting its performance.
3. Perform a Factory Reset
If the device is still unresponsive after a power cycle, a factory reset is the next logical step. This will erase its current settings, including your Wi-Fi credentials, and put it back into its original pairing mode.
- Locate the Reset Button/Method:
- For Smart Plugs/Cameras: There is usually a physical button. Press and hold this button for approximately 10-15 seconds.
- For Smart Bulbs: The process is often to turn the light switch on and off three or four times in a row until the bulb starts to flash rapidly.
- Confirm Reset: The device's indicator light will begin to blink quickly, signalling that it has been reset and is ready to be paired again.
- Remove and Re-add in the Geeni App:
- Open the Geeni app.
- Find the unresponsive device, tap on it, and select the option to 'Remove Device'.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to add the device back to the app as if it were new.
- Attempt the Update Again: Once the device is reconnected, the app may prompt you to perform the firmware update again. With a stronger Wi-Fi signal, it is much more likely to succeed.
If your Merkury device still won't update or respond after following all these steps, there may be a hardware issue. In this case, you should contact Merkury customer support for further assistance.