Experiencing Poor Performance with Your Smart Devices?

Are your Starfish smart lighting, electrical, or camera devices not performing as expected? We understand how frustrating that can be—we’re Starfish users too. That’s why we’re committed to continuously improving our products through software and firmware updates based on real-world feedback.

While we strive for seamless performance, several factors can affect connectivity and responsiveness. Here are some troubleshooting steps that may help:

  • Power Cycle the Device

Turn the device off using the switch or circuit breaker. Wait 1 minute, then power it back on. It should reconnect to your WiFi within a few seconds.

  • Restart the Starfish App

Close & reopen the Starfish App

  • Clear Starfish App Cache

Go to your device settings, clear the Starfish App cache, then close & restart the Starfish App.

  • Reinstall App

Uninstall and reinstall the Starfish App. Don’t worry—your devices and settings are saved in the cloud and will reappear when you log back in.

  • Restart Your Router

This clears out old IP addresses that may be clogging your network.

  • Check Capacity

Routers and WiFi Mesh Networks have a limit on how many devices they can support.

If exceeded, they may randomly disconnect smart devices.  For WiFi Mesh Networks, be sure to check if the device limit is for the entire system or per Router/Satellite;most are for the entire system.

  • Using Network Extenders?

Preferred: Extenders from your Internet Provider, wired via Ethernet or coaxial, offer the best performance.

Caution with 3rd Party Wireless Extenders: These often halve your bandwidth per Extender and may create a separate network, causing devices to switch back and forth.

  • Restart Your Extender or WiFi Mesh Network

Just like your router, extenders and WiFi Mesh Networks benefit from a reboot.

  • Network Troubleshooting Dual-Band or Tri-Band Routers and WiFi Mesh Networks

Many routers and WiFi Mesh Networks come Dual-Band, meaning they transmit a 2.4GHz and a 5HGz signal.  They may also come Tri-Band,meaning they transmit a 2.4GHz, a 5GHz Signal and a 6HGz signal.  

Sometimes the router can be set to 5GHz or 6GHz only when 1st installed; double-check the router or WiFi Mesh Network settings to make sure your router is transmitting a 2.4GHz signal in addition to the 5GHz and/or 6GHz signal.

You may be able to set up a 2nd network in your router with a 2.4GHz signal, dedicated to IOT devices.

  • Distance Matters

Devices placed far from the router or behind multiple walls may struggle to maintain a strong connection.

  • Outdoor Devices

These are especially prone to signal issues. Consider their proximity to your router or extender.

  • Check Your WiFi Signal

Use a network analyzer app (in addition to your ISP’s tools) to assess signal strength and identify weak spots.

  • Service Disruptions

Occasionally, your Internet Provider, Cellular Network, or Cloud Service may experience outages that affect device performance.

If you’ve tried these steps and are still experiencing issues, feel free to reach out to our support team. We’re here to help!

Still having trouble?

Reach out and we’ll help diagnose your specific setup.

Contact Support