--- title: "Connection issues" description: "What to do when the Volumio app can't find or reach your device, or the device can't join your network." url: https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/197-connection-issues collection: "Troubleshooting" updated: 2026-11-13 language: en --- # Connection issues What to do when the Volumio app can't find or reach your device, or the device can't join your network. The app shows a warning bar when something stops it from reaching your device. Tap it: the app tells you what's wrong and how to fix it. If that's not enough, find your case below. ## The app doesn't find your device 1. Make sure the device is on. On Volumio devices, wait 2-3 minutes for the status LED to finish starting up. 2. In the app, tap `⊕` on the home screen. The `Discovered Devices` screen opens and looks for devices on your network and over Bluetooth. Tap the refresh button to search again. 3. If the device still doesn't show up, tap `Device not found?`. Under `Self check`, the app checks your phone: tap the button next to anything that isn't ready. 4. If you know the device's address on your network, enter it under `Manual connection by IP` and tap `Connect`. You'll find it in your router's list of connected devices. > **Tip:** If the device isn't on any network yet, tap `Connect directly to device` under `Hotspot connection`: the phone connects straight to the device's own Wi-Fi, without going through your router. ## The app says your phone isn't on the same network Phone and device must be on the same home network to see each other. 1. Connect the phone to the same Wi-Fi as the device. If the device uses a cable, connect the phone to the Wi-Fi of the router the cable is plugged into. 2. Don't use guest networks: they usually keep devices apart. The same goes for routers with `AP isolation` or `Client isolation` turned on. 3. If you use an extender or a mesh system, check that it doesn't create a separate network. 4. Turn off the VPN on your phone, or allow local network access in the VPN's settings. 5. On iPhone, go to `Settings` → `Volumio` and make sure `Local Network` is on. > **Tip:** If you always use a VPN to reach your devices, tap your account button on the home screen → `App settings` and turn on `Hide VPN warnings`. ## The device shows as Offline 1. Check that the device is on and the power cable is firmly plugged in. 2. If it uses a cable, check that the cable is plugged into both the device and the router. 3. Turn the device off and on again, then wait 2-3 minutes. 4. Open the device in the app again, tap `Need help?`, then `Retry connection`. 5. If it's still offline, restart your router, then the device. ## The device can't join your Wi-Fi This can happen during setup, after a router change or after changing your Wi-Fi password. 1. Open the device in the app. If it says `Your device isn't on a network`, tap `Set up Wi-Fi` and choose your network again. This works over Bluetooth, so the phone doesn't need to reach the device over Wi-Fi. 2. Check the Wi-Fi password: it's case-sensitive. 3. Move the device closer to the router while setting it up. > **Tip:** If Wi-Fi keeps failing, connect the device to the router with an Ethernet cable: it shows up in the app on its own. Then go to `Settings` → `Network` → `Wi-Fi networks`, press `Scan for networks`, pick your network, type its password and press `Connect`. ## The device keeps disconnecting 1. Move the device closer to the router, or away from walls and other electronics. 2. Avoid extenders and repeaters: connect it to the main router if you can. 3. Use an Ethernet cable: it's always more stable than Wi-Fi. 4. Restart your router. ## The device is on the network but not online Music from your library and inputs keeps working, but streaming services and updates need the internet. 1. Check that other devices in your home can reach the internet. 2. Restart your router. 3. In the app, tap the warning bar, then `Retry`. If streaming is just slow, check whether other devices are using the network heavily, and use an Ethernet cable if you can. ## Bluetooth problems during setup The app uses Bluetooth to find new devices and set up their Wi-Fi. - Turn on Bluetooth on your phone, and allow the Volumio app to use it when asked. - On Android, also turn on Location: Android needs it to look for Bluetooth devices. - If you've reset your device, remove the old pairing from your phone's Bluetooth settings: on iPhone, tap the info icon next to the device and then `Forget This Device`; on Android, tap the device and then `Forget` or `Unpair`. - If the device still doesn't show up, turn Bluetooth off, wait about 10 seconds and turn it on again. ## Still not working 1. Connect the device directly to your router with an Ethernet cable, without powerline adapters, mesh satellites or switches in between. 2. Restart the router, then the device. 3. If it still doesn't work, [report a bug](https://help.volumio.com/articles/33-report-a-bug): tap `⊕` on the home screen → `Device not found?` → `Report a bug` at the bottom. Tell us: - whether the device uses Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and your router's brand and model - what the status LED does while the device starts up - whether the device shows up in your router's list of connected devices - your phone and its system version (iOS or Android) > **Warning:** A [factory reset](https://help.volumio.com/articles/194-factory-reset) erases all your settings. Use it only as a last resort. ## Related - [Report a bug](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/33-report-a-bug.md) - [Playback issues](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/198-playback-issues.md) - [Music library issues](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/199-music-library-issues.md) - [Streaming service issues](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/200-streaming-service-issues.md) - [Startup issues](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/201-startup-issues.md)