Photon Can't Connect to WIFI

Troubleshooting
1

This is my first particle device so I’m a bit of a NOOB. I have a Photon and can’t get it to connect to WIFI. The photon boots to “listening” mode (blinking dark blue). I’m trying to connect to it via a Mac.

Here’s what I’ve tried:

The standard laptop setup

  • The photon never shows up on wifi

The phone app setup

  • Same problem

Connecting via CLI

  • I’ve successfully (I think) updated the firmware via DFU
  • I’ve tried the PARTICLE SERIAL WIFI process and it hangs when trying to communicate with the modem
  • I can successfully get it to PARTICLE SERIAL LIST, but it times out when I try to IDENTIFY or get the MAC
  • I’ve also tried to flash it back to tinker with the same result

Any ideas?

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2

With particle serial wifi try to avoid any autoscan/autoselect options and enter your data manually

3

Thanks for your reply. I tried that and it still has when communicating with the Photon.

4

Can you post the full CLI output?

You could also try http://setup.particle.io

5

I tried the setup with no luck. Here's the CLI output showing my timeout issues with identify and mac:

lat-bcummings1:~ bcummings$ particle --version
1.22.0
lat-bcummings1:~ bcummings$ particle serial list
Found 1 device connected via serial:
/dev/cu.usbmodem1411 - Photon
lat-bcummings1:~ bcummings$ particle serial mac
! serial: Serial timed out
lat-bcummings1:~ bcummings$ particle serial identify
! serial: Serial timed out

Here's the CLI output of the serial wifi setup (manual only as you suggested). You'll notice that it stops on "Attempting to configure" it just hangs:

lat-bcummings1:~ bcummings$ particle serial wifi
? Should I scan for nearby Wi-Fi networks? No
Attempting to configure Wi-Fi on /dev/cu.usbmodem1411

6

Ah… Weird.

Can you disconnect and connect the Photon then place in Listening mode again before trying?

Otherwise, place it in DFU mode, run particle update before configuring wifi.

7

I unplugged it several times and ran the update twice. Same result.

8

Hmm… Can you place the device in Listening mode and try using particle setup?

9

Particle setup is what I first tried before particle serial wifi. Same result.

10

Sorry for the long journey to get it connected. What happens when you use particle setup? Does the photon blink cyan?

11

@kennethlimcp, it might be time to simply connect to the Photon (while in Listening Mode) with a terminal program and go that route. It may also be worth changing the USB cable just in case.

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12

@bcummings you can also try to use a serial terminal software like Putty or Coolterm to connect and send w to the Photon in listening mode.

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13

Thanks. I tried that using Mac terminal and screen /dev/devicename but was unable to get past a blank screen. Do you know of an app for the Mac that works or should I just dig up a PC and use PuTTY?

14

You can download Coolterm.

using screen /dev/tty.usbmodemXXX 9600, typing w should work. A GUI is more friendly though :slight_smile:

15

I tried connecting via screen and using Coolterm. I never got past a blank screen. I also temporarily set my wifi network to open and ran the setup utility again. Same result. Below is the output:

I have detected a Photon connected via USB.
? Would you like to continue with this one? Yes
! The Photon supports secure Wi-Fi setup. We'll try that.

! PROTIP: Wireless setup of Photons works like a wizard!
! PROTIP: We will automagically change the Wi-Fi network to which your computer is connected.
! PROTIP: You will lose your connection to the internet periodically.

No nearby Photons detected. Try the particle help command for more information.
? Would you like to wait and monitor for Photons entering setup mode? No

Ok, bye! Don't forget particle help if you're stuck! <3

I'm starting to wonder if I have a defective unit?

16

@bcummings when you use coolterm, did you hit w in Listening mode?

17

Has this device ever been used before?
If so, there might be some “sticky” settings that might get in your way (e.g. WiFi.useStaticIP() or WiFi.selectAntenna(ANT_EXTERNAL)) which may need resetting in code first.

And to repeat Kenneth’s hint, when you are “stuck” on a blank screen in CoolTerm the device is actually waiting for you to send a command (e.g. w to set up your WiFi).

18

The device hasn’t been used before, although I haven’t been able to connect to it to see for sure. And yes, by stuck, I mean doesn’t respond to keystrokes. I tried W and I with no response.

19

Update: I ended up getting a new Photon from support. I had it working in minutes. Thanks all for your help.

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