I still remember the day I bought my first smart home device. I had moved into my new house and planned to turn it into a smart home. Over time, I kept adding smart devices to it. In return, these gadgets brought more comfort to my life, which was the only thing I wanted from them.
However, this journey of creating a full-fledged smart home wasn’t a smooth one, and I faced several problems.
But I kept one thing in mind that helped me patiently face and resolve those issues. I always reminded myself that it did not matter how much convenience or ease smart home devices create, they were still electronic devices and prone to issues and problems.
Below, I’m going to share those problems and how I found their solutions. So, if and when you create a smart home in the future, you’ll know how to resolve them. Let’s start!
Internet Connectivity Issues
Sometimes, a spotty internet connection is the primary reason why our smart home devices malfunction. It’s a fact that every connection has limited bandwidth, irrespective of network type or internet plan.
When you keep adding more smart home devices to the same network, its bandwidth becomes increasingly limited. A time comes when your connection has no spare bandwidth to share among the newly added smart devices. As a result, they start malfunctioning.
I faced this problem back when I installed smart security cameras around my house. Although they were accessible via phone, I couldn’t do so because the connection didn’t support live recording due to slow internet speeds. Also, other smart home devices, especially voice assistants, gave delayed responses due to limited bandwidth.
To resolve this issue, I called my ISP’s support, Spectrum Customer Service, and inquired if they offered a higher-speed, yet affordable plan like the one I was already subscribed to. Fortunately, they did and once I subscribed to it, all the connectivity issues were resolved.
So, check whether your connection has enough bandwidth to support your devices since it can be a major reason why smart home devices malfunction.
Device Incompatibility
Smart home devices communicate via different protocols like Zigbee, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. However, devices with different protocols may not be able to communicate seamlessly. As a result, you may fail to create a smart home ecosystem where all devices are connected.
Because of this, you might not be able to control all the devices via voice and have to access them separately via their apps. To counter this issue, I believe it’s best to invest in compatible devices.
For this, research the device’s compatibility beforehand to ensure it fits perfectly into your current ecosystem. Most smart home device manufacturers mention its compatibility on the packaging, or you can also check it on their website.
Software and Firmware Updates
Just like our smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices, smart home devices also receive frequent software and firmware updates from their manufacturers. From bug fixes to security patches and new features, these updates are essential as they ensure that our smart home devices work without glitching or malfunctioning.
Our smart gadgets can become faulty and have connectivity issues, delayed responses, and other issues when these updates are not installed on time. Having said that, the good news is that most modern smart home devices automatically install software and firmware updates on the gadgets.
As for the devices that do not automatically install these updates, it’s best to check for them every once in a while. This way, your gadgets will remain up-to-date with the latest features and won’t malfunction as well.
Complex Installation
Most smart home gadgets, like voice assistants, are fairly easy to install. However, devices like thermostats, sensors, or security cameras can be quite complex, so they generally require technical expertise.
While I believe there’s nothing wrong with DIY (Do-It-Yourself) installation, it’s not the best idea to install complex gadgets yourself, especially if you lack the skills or knowledge.
It’s always better to get professional help, because when smart gadgets are not properly installed, they may malfunction over time. In worst cases, you might even permanently damage the device or face problems with the wiring in your house.
Power Source and Battery Drainage
Security cameras, voice assistants, smart sensors, and more devices active around the clock can drain battery quickly. And, when these devices’ battery is low, they may not function properly.
Also, if too many devices are connected to the same power source, there’s a risk of overburdening it. This can cause irregular voltage and current from the power source which can damage your smart home devices.
However, power source and battery drainage issues can easily be resolved. You can frequently check the battery status of devices that run on batteries. As for devices connected to a power source, ensure you connect them to different sources.
Additionally, to optimize your devices’ battery, you can adjust their performance, limit background activity, and disable notification lights to make them less performance-intensive.
Before winding up, I always recommend buying smart home devices with robust security measures and protocols. Like most electronic gadgets, smart home devices can be hacked or attacked by a virus, which can force them to malfunction.
So, be sure to protect them with a strong password, enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication), and don’t forget to install the security patches on time.