SmartHomeShop Docs

Troubleshooting

Rapidly flashing red status LED on a VLAN without internet

If your WaterMeterKit continues to report measurements but its red status LED flashes rapidly after startup, the firmware update check may be blocked by your firewall or IoT VLAN.

The local WaterMeterKit firmware reads a small version manifest from SmartHomeShop GitHub Pages. This check only determines whether new firmware is available. It does not send sensor readings, Home Assistant data, Wi-Fi passwords or API keys to GitHub.

ESPHome's standard status LED reports errors from every firmware component. A blocked update check can therefore look like a device startup error even while WaterMeterKit itself is working normally.

Confirm the cause

Open the WaterMeterKit logs in ESPHome and look for http_request.update or Failed to fetch manifest. If these messages are not present, investigate power, network and sensor initialization before changing the update settings.

Disable scheduled firmware checks

  1. Open the ESPHome Device Builder app/add-on in Home Assistant. This is different from the ESPHome integration under Settings > Devices & services.
  2. Find WaterMeterKit and select Take control or Adopt.
  3. Save a copy of the generated YAML, including its API encryption key.
  4. Select Edit and add this block at the bottom of the YAML, without extra indentation:
update:
  - id: !extend firmware_update
    update_interval: never
  1. Save the file, select Validate, and then select Install > Wirelessly.

After installation, WaterMeterKit keeps measuring and communicating locally with Home Assistant, but it no longer performs scheduled firmware checks. You can still update it later through ESPHome or the SmartHomeShop web flasher.

ESPHome still downloads the WaterMeterKit packages: configuration from GitHub while compiling. That request is made by the Home Assistant/ESPHome host, not by WaterMeterKit itself.

If validation says that firmware_update does not exist, remove the block again and install a current WaterMeterKit firmware version first. V1 and V2 have no update check, so they do not need this block. A rapidly flashing LED that remains after this change can indicate another real firmware or hardware error.

If you encounter any issues with the WaterMeterKit, try the following steps:

General Troubleshooting Steps

  1. Ensure All Cables Are Securely Connected

    • Verify that the USB-C power cable is securely connected to both the WaterMeterKit and the power adapter.
    • Check that the water sensor is properly attached to the universal holder and that the holder is securely fastened to your water meter.

  2. Check the Power Source

    • Make sure the power adapter is plugged into a working electrical outlet.
    • Ensure the power cable is not damaged and is functioning properly.

  3. Restart the WaterMeterKit

    • Unplug the power cable from the WaterMeterKit, wait for 10 seconds, and then plug it back in.

  4. Restart Home Assistant

    • Sometimes a simple restart of Home Assistant can resolve connectivity or integration issues. Navigate to Settings > System > Restart within Home Assistant.

  5. Update Home Assistant

    • Ensure you are running the latest version of Home Assistant. Go to Settings > System > Updates to check for and install any available updates.

WiFi Connectivity Issues

Can't Find the WaterMeterKit Hotspot

If the watermeterkit WiFi hotspot doesn't appear:

  1. Wait 1-2 minutes after powering on: the hotspot takes time to initialize
  2. Check if already configured: the hotspot appears when no WiFi is configured, or about 90 seconds after the saved network cannot be reached
  3. Try a factory reset if the device was previously configured (see Advanced Troubleshooting)

Connected to Hotspot but No Captive Portal

If you connect to the hotspot but the setup page doesn't open:

  1. Open browser manually to http://192.168.4.1/
  2. Try a different device (phone vs laptop)
  3. Disable mobile data on your phone (it may prefer cellular over WiFi)
  4. Try a different browser

Frequent WiFi Disconnections

If the WaterMeterKit keeps losing connection:

  1. Check WiFi signal strength at the water meter location
    • Water meters are often in basements/cellars with poor signal
    • Use a WiFi analyzer app to check signal strength
  2. Move closer to router or use a WiFi extender/mesh
  3. Check for interference from other 2.4 GHz devices
  4. Verify router settings:
    • Ensure 2.4 GHz band is enabled (5 GHz not supported)
    • Check if router has client limits
    • Disable band steering if enabled

Wrong WiFi Password or Network

If you entered the wrong WiFi credentials:

  1. Wait about 90 seconds: when the saved network cannot be reached, the hotspot comes back by itself
  2. Reconnect to the watermeterkit hotspot
  3. Enter the correct WiFi credentials

If the hotspot does not come back, factory reset the device (see Advanced Troubleshooting).

WiFi Network Requirements

Requirement Supported
2.4 GHz ✅ Required
5 GHz ❌ Not supported
WPA2 ✅
WPA3 ✅ V3. On V1 and V2 only mixed WPA2/WPA3
Hidden SSID ✅ (manual entry)
Enterprise (802.1X) ❌

💡 Need a more reliable connection? Consider the WaterP1MeterKit which supports Ethernet/PoE for wired connectivity.

Data Reading Issues

  1. Water Meter Data Not Updating

    The sensor detects the rotating metal plate inside your water meter. If it's not detecting water usage, check the positioning:

    📺 Need visual guidance? See the Installation Guide for instructions with images on proper sensor positioning.

    Sensor positioning checklist:

    • Sensor covers approximately 50% of the rotating metal 1-liter indicator (not the entire indicator!)
    • The crosshair (center point) of the sensor is aligned so the metal plate passes through it once per full rotation
    • The side with the red LED is facing DOWN (toward the water meter glass)
    • The black side is visible (facing up)
    • Sensor is firmly pressed into the holder

    Testing:

    • Turn on a tap and watch for the green LED flash
    • The green LED should flash once per liter of water used
    • If no flash: adjust position by 1-2mm and test again
    • If flashing multiple times per liter: sensor may be positioned over too much of the indicator

    Common mistakes:

    • Sensor covering 100% of the indicator (can't detect transitions)
    • Sensor positioned off-center from the metal plate's rotation path
    • Red LED facing up instead of down (wrong orientation)
    • Sensor not firmly seated in holder

    Also check for any physical obstructions or dirt that might be blocking the sensor.

  2. Sensor Flashes But Data Not in Home Assistant

    • Verify that the WaterMeterKit is connected to your WiFi network
    • Check that the device is online in Home Assistant → ESPHome integration
    • Restart Home Assistant if the entity is not showing up
    • Wait a few minutes for the sensor data to sync

  3. Incorrect Water Readings

    • If readings are too high: sensor may be detecting multiple times per rotation. Reposition to cover less of the indicator
    • If readings are too low: sensor may be missing detections. Ensure it's covering 50% of the indicator
    • The sensor must be positioned so it detects the metal plate transition, not the entire plate

LED Indicator Issues

  1. Red Status LED Flashing

    • A slowly flashing red status LED indicates that the WaterMeterKit is not connected to your network or Home Assistant. Follow the steps in the Connect to WiFi section to resolve this issue. For rapid flashing, see the top of this page.

  2. Green LED Not Flashing During Water Usage

    • Ensure the water sensor is properly installed and positioned on the water meter.

  3. Blue LED

    • The blue LED indicates that the device is receiving power. If this LED is off, it means there is no power provided by the USB-C cable, or the device might be faulty.

Advanced Troubleshooting

  1. Accessing the Web Interface

    • If you are unable to connect the WaterMeterKit to your WiFi network, access the fallback web interface by navigating to http://192.168.4.1/ in your browser while connected to the WaterMeterKit hotspot.

  2. Firmware Updates

    • Ensure the WaterMeterKit is running the latest firmware. Refer to our firmware page for instructions on how to update the firmware.

  3. Factory Reset

    • If all else fails, perform a factory reset on the WaterMeterKit. Use the Factory Reset button in Home Assistant (disabled by default, enable it on the device page first) or reflash the unit via USB-C. Refer to our firmware page for instructions on how to reflash the latest firmware, which will reset the device back to its original state and remove the saved SSID information. Both also erase the stored water meter reading, so write it down first.

Additional Resources

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most issues with your WaterMeterKit. If you continue to experience problems, please reach out for further assistance.