New Ironwood XL - Can't connect to wifi

[JPelletier]

Hi,

At the very first time, I was connected to my dual 5Ghz/2.4GHz wifi and the connexion failed, so I disabled 5GHz on my router. I've tried to connect the wifi for hours, I'm out of idea now.

• I disabled 5GHz on my router
• I tried the "debug app" which give more than 5mps up/down
• I restarted my phone / smoker many time (unplugged power for 10 secondes)
• I tried ro create different network SSID (I have a ubiquiti controller, I can create many wifi)
• I changed wifi channel
• I moved an access point right beside the grill

My phone app say "establishing connexion", I see my SSID and here it's either:

• Keep spinning "forever"
• Say it can't find the network, ask me to select one and I DO see my network in the list!!!

Any idea? Is there a way to factory reset completely the controller?

Thanks

 

[JPelletier]

Well, when I wrote this I realized that I only tried with my Pixel 7 Pro, so i took my old Pixel 2 and it worked first try!

 

[Absolute]

So do you think it's a phone compatibility issue?
With my Timberline 1300 I had no problems, now with the new Ironwood I was able to update it with difficulty by hotsposting with another cell, but after the update I couldn't connect with anything. not even putting the cell above the antenna. I tried with a Sam S22Ultra, Oneplus 8T, MiNote10, Sam S6 Tab.... nothing at all

when I give it the home network (with a strong signal) it runs for now on the search (it sees it though and asks me for the password)

 

[JPelletier]

So do you think it's a phone compatibility issue?
With my Timberline 1300 I had no problems, now with the new Ironwood I was able to update it with difficulty by hotsposting with another cell, but after the update I couldn't connect with anything. not even putting the cell above the antenna. I tried with a Sam S22Ultra, Oneplus 8T, MiNote10, Sam S6 Tab.... nothing at all

when I give it the home network (with a strong signal) it runs for now on the search (it sees it though and asks me for the password)

Like you I tried to put my Wifi right above the grill too before using my Pixel 2. You have a very similar issue and my guess is a Bluetooth issue but you tried with so many devices!! Pixel 2 is Bluetooth 5.0 and Pixel 7 is Bluetooth 5.2

You tried to disable 5GHz frequency on your router?

 

[Trae Bar IV]

Try leaving your unit plugged in for a couple of days and turn on stand-by (not ignited). it might be an update issue. I've discovered the XL series is having a lot of wi-fi connection issues, mine did for a while, but now it seems to be working well. I still have brief connection issues from time-to-time. I spent a lot of time on the Internet and with Traeger support and eventually it worked out.

One question: Are you standing next to the grill with your phone/pad when your doing the password?

 

[JPSBBQ]

Try leaving your unit plugged in for a couple of days and turn on stand-by (not ignited). it might be an update issue. I've discovered the XL series is having a lot of wi-fi connection issues, mine did for a while, but now it seems to be working well. I still have brief connection issues from time-to-time. I spent a lot of time on the Internet and with Traeger support and eventually it worked out.

One question: Are you standing next to the grill with your phone/pad when your doing the password?

I know with the old Timberline, if you leave on standby and it receives an update, you cannot connect without cycling the power off. It’s happened to me many times. I usually have it running before I notice. I’ve never stopped and restarted. Just cook the old way.

 

[Trae Bar IV]

It’s the same with the XL. And yes, sometimes I’ll do the same turning it off and on again. It depends how long the cook and if I plan on being away from grill.

I haven’t had to do that in a while so, I’m thinking an update resolved the issue

 

[Absolute]

Hello everyone, after countless tests, with hotspots with various cell phones, wifi repeaters, modification of the home network, attempts to reset the control unit .... nothing worked. I wrote to Traeger for support. In the meantime, since it worked normally as a bbq, I wanted to try it. Well during a cooking, so by pure chance I try to connect it again and voilà, it connects immediately. Strong signal and go... everything works!!!! In my opinion it's a software bug, because it's as if it accepted to connect only during operation and not when stopped!!! anyway I turned it off, on it, etcc .. now it works perfectly.

 

[primeone]

Hello everyone, after countless tests, with hotspots with various cell phones, wifi repeaters, modification of the home network, attempts to reset the control unit .... nothing worked. I wrote to Traeger for support. In the meantime, since it worked normally as a bbq, I wanted to try it. Well during a cooking, so by pure chance I try to connect it again and voilà, it connects immediately. Strong signal and go... everything works!!!! In my opinion it's a software bug, because it's as if it accepted to connect only during operation and not when stopped!!! anyway I turned it off, on it, etcc .. now it works perfectly.

I'm glad to hear it's working now! I had similar issues with my new Ironwood and it's working much better now after a few days. I did another test last night using B&B Championship blend pellets and it only took 14 minutes to hit 350.

 

[Trae Bar IV]

Hello everyone, after countless tests, with hotspots with various cell phones, wifi repeaters, modification of the home network, attempts to reset the control unit .... nothing worked. I wrote to Traeger for support. In the meantime, since it worked normally as a bbq, I wanted to try it. Well during a cooking, so by pure chance I try to connect it again and voilà, it connects immediately. Strong signal and go... everything works!!!! In my opinion it's a software bug, because it's as if it accepted to connect only during operation and not when stopped!!! anyway I turned it off, on it, etcc .. now it works perfectly.

I've had the same resolution with mine since getting it this past June. No more wifi issues. Let's just hope it stays that way!

 

[RayClem]

I am glad you recognized the issue with using the same SSID for both 2.4 and 5 gHz. If you are able to do so, I would suggest using separate SSIDs for each band, although some routers, especially newer mesh routers might not provide that option.

Turning off your 5 gHz band on the router should be sufficient, but you need to make sure your phone is connecting to your 2.4 gHz network and not to a cell tower. You might need to disable the cellular radio in your phone temporarily. Also be sure Bluetooth is turned on in your phone as the initial connection will be through Bluetooth. If the app asks you if you want to connect directly to the grill, be sure to grant permission to do so. Once the Bluetooth connection is secured, you will be asked to provide the SSID and WiFI password for your router.

Another potential issue is that if there is not a good line of sight between your router and the grill, there could be an issue connecting. For example, I have a masonry chimney that is directly between my router and the grill making the connection tenuous. Fortunately, it may be able to connect more easily through one of my access points. Having different SSIDs for each access point helps me know how my grill is connected.
.

 

[Trae Bar IV]

I think having the separate SSID's is crucial. Also, I think that's what has tripped up a lot of people, is the initial setup, and making sure bluetooth is on and running. Great advice!