What to Do When Your Scout Alarm App Won't Connect
The Scout Alarm app is your command centre for arming and disarming your system, checking sensor status, and receiving important notifications. When the app can't connect, it can leave you feeling disconnected and unsure about your home's security. This guide will help you troubleshoot the common reasons for a connection failure and get you back in control.
The key to the entire system is the Scout Hub. If the Hub is offline, your app will not be able to communicate with your security devices.
Step 1: Check the Scout Hub's Status
Your first step is to physically check the Hub, which is the small device that connects to your router.
### Observe the LED Light
The LED status light on the Hub is your primary diagnostic tool.
- Solid Green: Your Hub is connected to the internet and Scout's servers. If the app still won't connect, the problem is likely with the app or your phone.
- Flashing Yellow/Red: This indicates a network connectivity issue. The Hub is powered on but cannot reach the internet.
- No Light: The Hub has no power. Check the power cable and the wall outlet.
### Inspect Physical Connections
- Power Cable: Ensure the power cable is securely plugged into the Hub and a working power outlet.
- Ethernet Cable: The Hub connects to your router with an Ethernet cable. Make sure this cable is firmly plugged into one of the LAN ports on your router and the port on the Hub. Try a different LAN port on your router to rule out a faulty port.
Step 2: Troubleshoot Your Home Network
If the Hub's LED indicates a network problem, the issue is likely with your home internet.
### Reboot Your Network Hardware
A simple reboot cycle can resolve many temporary glitches.
- Unplug your Scout Hub from power.
- Unplug your modem and your Wi-Fi router from power.
- Wait for at least 60 seconds.
- Plug the modem back in first. Wait for its status lights to become stable (usually 1-2 minutes).
- Plug the router back in. Wait for its status lights to become stable.
- Finally, plug your Scout Hub back in. Give it a few minutes to boot up. The LED should eventually turn solid green.
### Check for Internet Outages
Is your internet service down? Check if other devices in your home, like a laptop, can access the internet. If not, the problem is with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and you'll need to wait for them to resolve it.
Step 3: Troubleshoot the App and Your Smartphone
If the Hub's light is solid green but the app still won't connect, the issue lies elsewhere.
### Check Your Phone's Connection
Make sure your smartphone has a working internet connection, either through Wi-Fi or a mobile data plan. Try switching between them to see if it makes a difference.
### Relaunch the Scout App
Force-quit the application to clear any temporary errors.
- On iOS: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe the Scout app card away.
- On Android: Open the multitasking view and swipe the Scout app away.
- Re-open the app and try to connect again.
### Reinstall the App
If all else fails, corrupted app data could be the cause.
- Delete the Scout Alarm app from your phone.
- Go to the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Download and install a fresh copy of the app.
- Log in with your Scout account credentials.
By systematically checking the Hub, your network, and the app itself, you can quickly diagnose the reason your Scout app isn't connecting and take the right steps to fix it.