How to Troubleshoot Scout and IFTTT Integration Issues
IFTTT (If This Then That) is a powerful service that connects your Scout Alarm to hundreds of other apps and devices, enabling creative and useful automations. You can set it up to flash your smart lights when an alarm is triggered or automatically arm the system when you leave home. However, when these connections break, it can disrupt your smart home's harmony.
This guide will help you diagnose and fix common problems with the Scout and IFTTT integration, so you can get your automations running smoothly again.
## First Step: Reconnecting the Scout Service
The most frequent cause of IFTTT applets failing is a broken link between the two services. Re-authorising the connection is the first and most effective troubleshooting step.
- Open the IFTTT app or log in to the IFTTT website.
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner and select My Services.
- Find Scout Alarm in your list of services and click on it.
- Click the Settings cog icon.
- You should see an option to Reconnect. Click it and you will be prompted to enter your Scout Alarm username and password again.
- This will refresh the authorisation token and often resolves the issue immediately.
## Checking the IFTTT Applet and Activity Log
If reconnecting the service doesn't work, the problem may lie with a specific applet or a wider platform issue. The IFTTT activity log is an invaluable tool for diagnosis.
### 1. Review the Applet's Configuration
- Navigate to the applet that is failing.
- Check that the trigger (the "If This" part) and the action (the "Then That" part) are still configured correctly. Sometimes, updates to a service can change how a trigger or action works.
- For example, if you have an applet to turn on a specific light, ensure that the light still has the same name in its own app (e.g., Philips Hue).
### 2. Examine the Activity Log
- In the IFTTT app or website, go to the Activity section.
- This log shows a history of all your applets that have tried to run.
- Look for the applet that is failing. You may see error messages like "Applet failed" or "Service disconnected."
- Clicking on the error can sometimes provide more details, such as "Could not connect to service" or "Action failed," which can help you pinpoint the problem. If it says the Scout service failed, it points to a connection issue. If the other service failed (e.g., your smart lights), the problem lies there instead.
## Common IFTTT and Scout Problems and Solutions
Let's look at some specific scenarios and how to resolve them.
### Problem: Applet Not Triggering at All
If a Scout trigger (e.g., "When alarm is armed") is not causing your IFTTT applet to run, the issue is likely with the communication from Scout to IFTTT.
- Solution: This is almost always an authorisation issue. Follow the steps above to reconnect the Scout service in IFTTT. Also, ensure your Scout system is online and functioning correctly in its own app.
### Problem: Applet Runs but the Action Fails
If the IFTTT activity log shows the applet ran but resulted in an error, the problem is likely with the action service (the "Then That" part).
- Solution: Let's say your applet is "If Scout alarm is triggered, then send a notification from the IFTTT app." If it fails, check your phone's settings to ensure the IFTTT app has permission to send notifications. If the action involves another smart device, like a smart plug, try reconnecting that service within IFTTT as well.
### Checking for Platform-Wide Issues
Occasionally, the problem isn't with your setup but with the services themselves.
- Check IFTTT Status: Visit the IFTTT status page (status.ifttt.com) to see if they are reporting any system-wide problems.
- Check Scout Alarm Status: While Scout doesn't have a public status page, you can check their social media channels or support website for any announced outages.
By methodically checking the service connection, reviewing the activity log, and ensuring both Scout and your other connected services are working properly, you can solve most IFTTT integration issues.