How to reconnect a generator to a Wi-Fi network or a new network using Mobile Link Setup App

How to reconnect a generator to a Wi-Fi network or a new network using Mobile Link Setup App

Below is a helpful video that will guide you through the process of connecting a generator to a Wi-Fi network. This process includes the new process of connecting a generator with Mobile Link Setup. 

If you would like to open the video tutorial in a separate tab just click here.



To prepare the generator for the connection to a WiFi Network:

  1. Go to the generator, unlock and raise the cover to the generator.
  2. Locate the control panel located on the right side of the open generator, then press the OFF button on the control panel. 

    mceclip3.png

    Note: This step will ensure the generator does not start or run during the WiFi connection process.  The Final Steps section of this article will ensure the generator is returned to a Ready to Run state after connecting.

  3. Press the ESCAPE button, to access the control panel's main menu.

    mceclip4.png
  4. Using the arrow keys on the control panel, Press the down arrow to select the WIFI or SET UP WIFI menu item, then press the ENTER button.

    WiFi_Flashing_on_Controller.giforSETUP_WiFi_Flashing_on_Controller.gif

  5. The screen may display multiple options:
    • If SETUP WIFI? is displayed on the control panel screen, use the arrow keys to select YES if YES is not already displayed, then press the ENTER button.
    • If something other than SETUP WIFI? is displayed on the control panel, use the arrow keys to scroll until REDO WIFI SETUP? is displayed. Then, press the ENTER button and use the arrow keys to scroll until YES is displayed, and then press the ENTER button one more time.
  6. The generator's control panel may display SET TO AP for up to 3 minutes, then display SETUP WIFI NOW!

    SETUP_WiFi_now.gif

    Note: A timer and a number beginning with MLG will alternate on-screen.  This is normal.  The MLG number will be referenced later in this process and it may be helpful to write down.

  7. The generator is now prepared for connection.

To re-connect a generator using the Mobile Link app on an Android Device:

  1. Open the Mobile Link app, the Generators Dashboard should appear.

    Note: If the Mobile Link for Generators App is not yet installed or has not been logged in to, please see the How do I connect my generator to a WIFI Network article located here.


    Generator_WiFi_Disconnected_-_App.jpg

  2. Tap the generator tile with the No Wi-Fi Signal description.

    Generator_WiFi_Disconnected_-_No_Wifi_Tile_Highlighted_-_App.jpg

  3. If necessary, tap the mceclip0.png icon to expand the details of the No Wi-Fi Signal message banner.

    WiFi_Disconnected_-_Detail_Compressed_-_Banner_Highlighted_-_App.jpg

  4. Tap the Connect button on the bottom right corner of the No Wi-Fi Signal message banner.

    WiFi_Disconnected_-_Detail_Explanded_-_Connect_Button_Highlighted_-_App.jpg
  5. The Get Ready to Connect! screen will display.  Follow the direction displayed on the screen then press NEXT->.

    Screenshot_20220622-091025.jpg

  6. A What does the Controller Say? will appear.  Select the Setup WIFI Now! option.

    App_Control_panel_say_Setup_wifi_highlighted.png

  7. A Please Wait screen will display for a few moments.  If prompted to do so, select the MLG##### number that may display at the bottom of the screen (this may take a moment to appear).

    Screenshot_20220622-091047_Settings.jpg

    Note: This prompt may not appear on some devices, as the prompt is dependent on the mobile device being used. In this step, the app is attempting to connect to a network that the generator is broadcasting to allow for configuration to be completed. Some devices require the user to allow the automatic switching to this network.   Additionally, the MLG35279 as displayed above is only an example.  The MLG number that is displayed should match the MLG number shown on the generator's control panel screen. 

  8. A list of available WiFi networks should display.   Choose the WiFi network name to which the generator should be connected.

    Screenshot_20220622-091058.jpg

  9. Enter the password for the WiFi network that was selected in the previous step, then press the  NEXT button.

    Screenshot_20220622-091132.jpg

  10. The Your Generator Is Setting Up page is displayed. If prompted to do so, select to confirm the WiFi network that the generator should be connected to, which may display at the bottom of the screen.

    Screenshot_20220622-091158_Settings.jpg

    Note: This prompt may not appear on some devices.  In this step, the app is attempting to connect to the selected WiFi network to verify the provided credentials and signal strength. Some devices require the user to allow the automatic switching to this network.

  11. In cases where the signal strength is determined to be below average, a Low Signal Strength warning prompt may appear.  This is an indication that lower than ideal signal strength is detected, which may cause connection issues. A WiFi booster should be considered to improve connection signal strength.  Choose Got It! Keep Going to proceed with the connection process with the understanding that less than ideal signal strength is present.

    Screenshot_20220622-091231.jpg

  12. If prompted to do so, select the MLG##### number that may display at the bottom of the screen once again.

    Screenshot_20220622-091302_Settings.jpg

    Note: This prompt may not appear on some devices, as the prompt is dependent on the mobile device being used. In this step, the app is attempting to re-connect to a network that the generator is broadcasting to allow for configuration to be completed. Some devices require the user to allow the automatic switching to this network.   Additionally, the MLG35279 as displayed above is only an example.  The MLG number that is displayed should match the MLG number shown on the generator's control panel screen. 

  13. The Generator Connected! screen should appear.  The generator has now been successfully connected to the selected Wi-Fi Network

    Screenshot_20220622-091324.jpg

To re-connect a generator using the Mobile Link app on an Apple Device:

  1. Open the Mobile Link app, the Generators Dashboard should appear.

    Note: If the Mobile Link for Generators App is not yet installed or has not been logged in to, please see the How do I connect my generator to a WIFI Network article located here.


    Main_Dashboard_-_Wifi_Disconnected.png

  2. Tap the generator tile with the No Wi-Fi Signal description.

    Main_Dashboard_-_Wifi_Disconnected_-_Tile_Highlighted.png

  3. If necessary, tap the mceclip0.png icon to expand the details of the No Wi-Fi Signal message banner.

    Generator_Overview_-_No_Wifi_Signal_-_Detail_Compressed_-_Banner_highlighted.png

  4. Tap the Connect button on the bottom right corner of the No Wi-Fi Signal message banner.

    Generator_Overview__2_-_No_Wifi_Signal_-_Detail_Expanded_cONNECT_HIGHLIGHTED.png

  5. The Get Ready to Connect! screen will display.  Follow the direction displayed on the screen then press NEXT->.

    App_get_ready_to_connect.png


  6. A What does the Controller Say? will appear.  Select the Setup WIFI Now! option.

    App_Control_panel_say_Setup_wifi_highlighted.png

  7. The app will provide instructions on opening and selecting the Wi-Fi Network that begins with MLG from the Apple device's wi-fi settings page.

    app_settings_prompt.png

  8. From the home screen of the Apple device, open the device setting page by taping the small gear icon.

    ios_main_page_Settings_highlighted.png

  9. The settings page is displayed.  Tap the Wifi menu item.

    Ios_Settings_page_wifi_highlighted.png

  10. A list of available WiFi networks will display.  Tap the WiFi Network that begins with MLG

    iOS_Wifi_Settings_Guest_Network_Selected_mlg_highlights.png

    Note: The MLG35279 as displayed above is only an example.  The MLG number that is displayed should match the MLG number shown on the generator's control panel screen. 

  11. Once the Apple device is connected to the Network name beginning with MLG, return to the Apple device's home screen and re-open the Mobile Link app by tapping the Mobile Link icon.

    ios_main_page_ML_Highlighted.png

  12. The app should reopen to the same instructions page that was last opened. Tap the Done button.

    app_settings_prompt.png

  13. A prompt message may appear requesting permission to allow Mobile lInk to find and connect to devices on your local network.  This is required to continue.  Tap OK.

    App_permissions_prompt_1.png

    Note: in some rare cases, a Check Wi-Fi Settings prompt may appear.  If this occurs, it is due to the device attempting to process before the permission was granted.  Tapping OK and restarting the connection process should allow the process to process normally.

  14. A list of available WiFi networks should display.   Choose the WiFi network name to which the generator should be connected.

    App_Select_a_network.png

  15. Enter the password for the WiFi network that was selected in the previous step, then press the  NEXT button.

    App_Password_Prompt.png


  16. A prompt message may appear requesting permission to allow Mobile Link to join the selected WiFi network.  This is required to continue.  Tap Join.

    App_permissions_prompt_2.png

  17. The Your Generator Is Setting Up page is displayed.  In cases where the signal strength is determined to be below average, a Low Signal Strength warning prompt may appear.  This is an indication that lower than ideal signal strength is detected, which may cause connection issues. A WiFi booster should be considered to improve connection signal strength.  Choose Got IT! Keep Going to proceed with the connection process with the understanding that less than ideal signal strength is present.

    App_low_signal_strength.png

  18. A prompt message may appear requesting permission to allow Mobile Link to join the WiFi network that begins with MLG.  This is required to continue.  Tap Join.

    App_permissions_prompt_3.png

  19. The app may take a few additional moments to apply the configuration to the generator.  The Generator Connected! screen will then appear.  The generator has now been successfully connected to the selected Wi-Fi Network

    App_Now_Connected.png


Final Steps

  1. The generator's control panel will now display NOW CONNECTED, press the ENTER button to continue.

    mceclip6.png
  2. The generator's connection signal strength is displayed, verify the signal strength is acceptable then press the ENTER button.

    WIFI_Signal.gif

    Note: Signal strength of 30% or higher is recommended.  If lower than 30% signal strength is observed, consider adding a WiFi booster or Extender to your network to improve connection reliability.

  3. The automatically determined Timezone information may display, verify the information to be accurate, then press the ENTER button to continue.

    Note: If PLEASE SELECT HOUR is displayed, please wait a few moments. The timezone information should be displayed shortly, alternatively, date and time information can be entered manually using the arrow keys.

  4. The display should return to the Main Menu. Using the arrow keys, select the SYSTEM menu item, then press the ENTER button.

    Systems_Selected.gif

  5. The screen will display SWITCHED TO OFF. Press the AUTO button.

    mceclip1.png

  6. The generator should return to the READY TO RUN.

    mceclip2.png