Device Not Responding

Fix an unresponsive PlumBuddy device with step-by-step reset instructions for valves and sensors.

When Your Device Is Not Responding

If your PlumBuddy device is not responding to commands from the app, is stuck during setup, or the buttons on the device are not working, this guide will walk you through the fix. Work through the steps in order — most issues are resolved by the first two steps.

Step 1: Check That the Device Has Power

Before anything else, confirm the device is actually powered on.

PlumBuddy Valve

  • Look at the indicator light on the valve. If no light is visible, the device may not have power.
  • Check that the USB-C cable is firmly connected to both the valve and the power adapter.
  • Check that the power adapter is plugged into a working outlet. Try plugging something else into the same outlet to confirm it has power.
  • If the valve was running on battery backup, the battery may be depleted. Connect the USB-C power cable and wait 5 minutes for the device to boot up.

PlumAssist Puck

  • Press the small black button on the sensor. If no light appears, the battery may be dead.
  • Remove the battery and inspect it. Replace with a fresh CR123A battery if needed.
  • After inserting a new battery, press and hold the black button until the light blinks red.

Step 2: Confirm the Device Is in Pairing Mode

If you are trying to set up a new device or reconnect an existing one, it must be in pairing mode to communicate with the app.

PlumBuddy Valve Pairing Mode

The indicator light should be flashing blue and green rapidly. If it is not:

  1. Press and hold both the On and Off buttons at the same time.
  2. Continue holding until the light starts flashing blue and green.
  3. Release the buttons.
  4. The valve is now in pairing mode and ready to connect.

If the light does not start flashing, the device may need a full reset (see Step 4 below).

PlumAssist Puck Pairing Mode

The indicator light should be blinking red. If it is not:

  1. Remove the battery from the sensor.
  2. Wait 5 seconds.
  3. Reinsert the battery.
  4. Immediately press and hold the small black button until the light blinks red.
  5. The sensor is now in pairing mode.

Step 3: Reset the Bluetooth Connection

If the device went through a failed pairing attempt, the Bluetooth state may be stale. This is one of the most common reasons setup fails on a second or third attempt.

For PlumBuddy Valve:

  1. Press the On or Off button to exit pairing mode. The rapid blue and green flashing will stop.
  2. Wait 10 seconds.
  3. Press and hold both the On and Off buttons together until the light flashes blue and green again.
  4. On your phone, close the PlumBuddy app completely (swipe it away from the app switcher).
  5. Reopen the app and try the pairing process again.

For PlumAssist Puck:

  1. Remove the battery.
  2. Wait 5 seconds.
  3. Reinsert the battery.
  4. Press and hold the black button until the light blinks red.
  5. Close and reopen the PlumBuddy app.
  6. Try pairing again.

Also Check Your Phone

  • Bluetooth must be enabled. PlumBuddy uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for the initial pairing handshake.
  • Stay within 10 feet of the device during pairing.
  • On Android, Location Services must be enabled. Android requires location permissions for Bluetooth scanning.
  • Try restarting your phone’s Bluetooth. Toggle Bluetooth off, wait 5 seconds, then toggle it back on.

Step 4: Full Device Reset

If the device still will not respond after the steps above, a full reset clears all connection state. This is the last resort.

For PlumBuddy Valve:

  1. Unplug the USB-C cable from power.
  2. Wait 60 seconds. This is important — the internal capacitor needs time to fully discharge.
  3. Plug the USB-C cable back in.
  4. Wait for the device to power up completely (about 30 seconds).
  5. Press and hold both the On and Off buttons until the indicator light flashes blue and green.
  6. The device is now reset and ready for pairing.

For PlumAssist Puck:

  1. Remove the battery.
  2. Wait 60 seconds.
  3. Reinsert the battery.
  4. Press and hold the small black button until the light blinks red rapidly.
  5. The sensor is now reset and ready for pairing.

After a Full Reset

After resetting, you will need to pair the device with the app again as if it were brand new. Open the PlumBuddy app and follow the setup instructions. Your property and account settings are stored in the cloud, so you will not lose any historical data.

Step 5: Move Closer to Your Router

During first-time setup or after a reset, the device needs a strong WiFi signal to complete the connection process.

  • If possible, bring your phone and position yourself close to both the device and your WiFi router during setup.
  • Once setup is complete, the device can operate from its permanent location with a weaker signal.
  • If the signal at the device’s permanent location is consistently too weak, consider adding a WiFi extender or mesh node nearby.

When to Contact Support

Contact PlumBuddy support at support@plumbuddy.co if:

  • The device shows no lights at all, even with confirmed power
  • The indicator light shows an unusual color or pattern not described above
  • You have completed all steps and the device still will not pair
  • The device pairs successfully but immediately goes offline

Include your device model, the LED behavior you see, and which steps you have already tried. Our support team can access diagnostic information remotely to help identify the issue.