Scout Base Station Not Connecting? Get Your System Back Online
The Scout hub, or Base Station, is the central command for your entire security system. When it loses its connection and goes offline, your sensors can no longer communicate, and you lose the ability to monitor your home remotely. This can be unsettling, but most connectivity issues can be resolved with a few straightforward troubleshooting steps. Follow this guide to diagnose the problem and get your Scout Alarm back online.
### Step 1: Check Your Home Network Connection
The most common reason for a hub to go offline is a problem with your home's internet service.
- Test Other Devices: First, check if other devices in your home, like your computer or smartphone, can connect to the internet via your Wi-Fi. If they can't, the issue is with your internet service provider (ISP) or your router, not the Scout hub.
- Reboot Your Router: The classic "turn it off and on again" works wonders for network hardware. Unplug your Wi-Fi router and/or modem from the power outlet. Wait a full 60 seconds before plugging it back in. It may take 3-5 minutes for your router to fully restart and re-establish an internet connection.
Step 2: Inspect the Hub's Physical Connections
Once you've confirmed your internet is working, check the physical connections to the Scout hub itself.
### Verify Ethernet and Power Cables
- Ethernet Cable: The Scout hub connects to your router via an Ethernet cable. Ensure this cable is securely clicked into place on both the back of the hub and a LAN port on your router. Look for the small LED lights on the hub's Ethernet port; they should be solid or flashing, indicating a live connection.
- Try a Different Cable/Port: If the port lights are off, try a different LAN port on your router. If that doesn't work, try swapping the Ethernet cable for a new one to rule out a faulty cable.
- Power Cable: Ensure the power adapter is plugged securely into the hub and a working wall outlet.
Step 3: Power Cycle the Scout Hub
If the network and cables are all fine, the next step is to perform a full reboot of the hub. This will clear any temporary software glitches.
- Unplug the power adapter from the back of the Scout hub.
- Turn the hub over and locate the small battery door.
- Slide the door off and carefully disconnect the battery connector from the hub.
- Wait for at least 60 seconds to allow all residual power to drain.
- Reconnect the battery.
- Replace the battery door.
- Plug the power adapter back into the hub.
- The hub will now begin its boot-up sequence. Allow it several minutes to fully start and establish a connection with the Scout servers. Check the Scout app to see if it has come back online.
### What About Cellular Backup?
If you have a monitoring plan that includes cellular backup, your hub should automatically switch to its 4G LTE connection if your primary internet goes down. If your internet is out and the hub is still offline, the hub may be in a location with a poor cellular signal (e.g., a basement). Try moving it to a higher floor or closer to a window to improve reception.
By following these steps, you can quickly resolve the most common issues that cause a Scout hub to go offline, ensuring your home remains secure.