I’ve had this Aqara E1 hub for a couple of years. Recently I had to re-pair the Temp sensor to it after changing batteries on it, but it just would let it. So I reset the hub, by pressing the button for 10 seconds. Now it just won’t connect to the WiFi at all. I have tried two different Wifi networks, one specifically for IoT at 2.4Ghz. I have reset and tried three times, but I just keep getting Unable To Add: Accessory Operation Timed Out, or Authentication Failed. The app never discovers the hub either. I have to add it manually and scan the QR code on the device. The hub is few feet away from the router, so signal strength is not a problem.
hi @anipalooza which server do you try to bind it ? Did you tried to change the servers? That might could brick the device… you probably need to contact the support then.
Or you can try to reset the E1 - pressing the button longer than 10 sec till the light starts flashing yellow
@DEChrisE Thanks for the reply. Do you mean Wifi router/SSID? I tried first with the same network it was on. It didn’t connect (see first failure screenshot). Then reset it (yes, the 10 sec trick) and tried again with a new SSID (I have TP-Link mesh routers) setup only for IoT devices. Second failure. Both times I saw that “Network error” popup (black, 1st screenshot). I’ve tried the reset option (10 sec+ to reset network) twice or maybe three times. Unable to Add Accessory is what I keep getting.
Hello, I’m sorry if your E1 was intended for a region other than Europe, you won’t be able to return it to your home. Regional restrictions are in effect on the server. I’m writing this because I “got caught” on this myself. Yesterday I removed my E1 switch from a smart home (it had been connected since 2020) and couldn’t return it to a smart home. The support service said that it was impossible, it was for the Chinese region.
So be careful, everyone who has old devices connected to a smart home that are not from the European region!
I bought it on Amazon.in (India) and it is (was) being used in India. Like I mentioned, it was connected fine to the Wifi network. It was issues with connecting the Temp Humidity sensor to it after battery replacement, that I had to reset it and try and connect it back to the networking.
Thanks for your replies. As suggested, I will reach out to support.
You can try different sockets and then try to bind the devie on the Aqara Home APP first, and then to Apple home app.
There are two suggestions for you:
Suggestion 1:
Completely delete the Aqara Home app (clear any data).
Remove the hub from the Home app (iOS) and clear any remaining gray icons with an exclamation mark.
Restart your iPhone or Android phone.
Reinstall the Aqara Home app and try again.
Suggestion 2:
If the first suggestion fails, try the following:
Use one phone to set up a Personal Hotspot (ensure this phone is only connected to Cellular data).
Go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Personal Hotspot.
Use another phone to connect to this Personal Hotspot and then try to connect the Hub.
I tried the 1st one and it didn’t work. I am back home in EU now, and no clue whether the E1 is completely borked or not. I will think twice before buying Aqara again. Their app UI is atrocious and the UX isn’t very good either. Other companies are catching up. Oh well.
I will reach out to them. But any further recommendations will be pointless for me at this time, since I am not in my house in Goa where the E1 hub is. So I thought I’d give it a go next time. Or perhaps switch to a better IoT ecosystem. Not been very happy with Aqara’s niggling issues and lack of of progress in making their apps more user friendly. I have a lot of devices in my current home in EU also. Still researching the best approach.
Also, most of Aqara’s products are not even on sale in India. So, over there, I’ll need to go with a provider that actually has a good range of products. I’m hoping Xiaomi makes inroads there. I’ve been using some of their products here in EU and they are excellent.
Thanks for your reply @nconlay . I’ll try it when I’m back in Goa. But I’ve decided to move on from Aqara in India to another IoT brand there. I still have many devices in my EU home from Aqara. But I am finding much better alternatives for home automation these days besides Aqara in the socialist, innovation challenged EU
