Nanoleaf Unreachable: How to Fix [2023]

The Nanoleaf setup in my son's bedroom recently started pushing the error message 'Unreachable', after months of it working properly.

This resulted in a complete loss of control of the lights via the Nanoleaf app, which was annoying, to say the least.

After a quick dip into some internet forums, I was surprised to know that this issue was more prevalent than I initially thought.

So with this article, I intend to get to the bottom of this issue and finally put an end to the issue of the Nanoleaf app stating that my Nanoleaf lights are unreachable.

If your Nanoleaf is unreachable, check if the Nanoleaf devices and app are connected to the same network. Check the WiFi router settings and update the firmware of the Nanoleaf devices to the latest version. If these don't work, hard reset and power cycle your Nanoleaf controller.

Check if Nanoleaf Controller and App Are Connected to the Same WiFi Network

Fortunately, Nanoleaf has acknowledged such an issue existing on their devices.

Nanoleaf claims that this is a minor issue that can be fixed with some troubleshooting related to certain factors that could be the root cause of this predicament.

One such possibility is that the Nanoleaf controller and the mobile device with the Nanoleaf app are connected to different WiFi networks.

Although this might seem absurd at first, it does make plenty of sense considering that most routers now come with a dual-band functionality.

Nanoleaf devices are configured to connect to only a 2.4GHz WiFi band and won't connect to a 5GHz or 6GHz WiFi band.

Contrary to this, users typically connect their mobile devices to a faster 5 GHz WiFi band.

Make sure that the mobile phone is also connected to the same 2.4 GHz WiFi as the Nanoleaf devices, including the Nanoleaf controller.

Check WiFi Router Settings

Your WiFi router has plenty of settings that can prove to be detrimental to any connected device that operates under a smart home.

Although the intention of such settings is for the security and privacy of your network, they can at times restrict communication of connected devices.

These router settings are usually set by default for a seamless experience for layman users.

But if your internet service provider for some reason enabled them by default, or in case you messed around with the router settings, you might need to revert back.

Here are a few settings that you need to ensure are checked in order for seamless communication between your mobile device and the Nanoleaf:

AP Isolation

Client/IP isolation or WiFi isolation is a feature that allows you to isolate all connected devices, ensuring that they don't communicate with each other.

To disable WiFi isolation in case it has been enabled on your WiFi router, follow the steps below:

• Open the browser on a mobile device or laptop connected to the same WiFi network.
• On the address field, type in your router's IP address which is usually 192.168.1.1

• On the login page that pops up, type in your router credentials. The router credentials can be found on the body of your router, and are different from your WiFi credentials.

• Tap on the tab that leads to the advanced wireless settings.
• Look for the option AP/Client isolation and disable it.

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)

UPnP is a standard that enables devices to know about each other once they are connected to the same network.

To enable UPnP in case it has been disabled on your WiFi router, follow the steps below:

• Open the browser on a mobile device or laptop connected to the same WiFi network.
• On the address field, type in your router's IP address which is usually 192.168.1.1
• On the login page that pops up, type in your router credentials. The router credentials can be found on the body of your router, and are different from your WiFi credentials.
• Tap on the tab that leads to the advanced wireless settings.
• Tap on Advanced Setup.
• Tap on UPnP and enable the option.

Multicast

IP Multicast mode helps in the efficiency of the distribution and transfer of traffic across connected devices.

To enable Multicast mode in case it has been disabled on your WiFi router, follow the steps below:

1. Open the browser on a mobile device or laptop connected to the same WiFi network.
2. On the address field, type in your router's IP address which is usually 192.168.1.1
3. On the login page that pops up, type in your router credentials. The router credentials can be found on the body of your router, and are different from your WiFi credentials.
4. Tap on the tab that leads to the advanced wireless settings.
5. Tap on Advanced Setup.
6. Tap on Multicast and enable the option.

IGMP Snooping

IGNP is a method that allows your network to identify IP multicast, and designate packet forwards to the appropriate connected device.

To enable IGMP snooping in case it has been disabled on your WiFi router, follow the steps below:

• Open the browser on a mobile device or laptop connected to the same WiFi network.
• On the address field, type in your router's IP address which is usually 192.168.1.1
• On the login page that pops up, type in your router credentials. The router credentials can be found on the body of your router, and are different from your WiFi credentials.
• Tap on the tab that leads to the advanced wireless settings.
• Tap on Advanced Setup.
• Tap on IGMP Snooping and enable the option.

Update Nanoleaf Firmware

If your Nanoleaf is in the process of updating to a new firmware or has recently updated to a newer firmware, then the chances of this error occurring is substantial.

Many users have reported such to be the case for their Nanoleaf systems, with many spending months to find a solution to no avail.

Nanoleaf themselves have acknowledged this issue, which could be an issue with the way firmware updates are pushed and updated in the background.

Either way, the best method to get over this is to ensure that the Nanoleaf devices are updated properly.

It is also recommended to stay on the latest available firmware, as it might contain security and feature patches that can prove to be beneficial for the end user and help overcome issues such as Nanoleaf not connecting.

To update the firmware on your Nanoleaf devices, follow the steps below:

• From the Nanoleaf app, go to the settings.

• Tap on Firmware Updates.

• If an update is available, tap on Update.

Make sure that the update process is complete before you start using the Nanoleaf devices.

Hard Reset the Nanoleaf Controller

Hard resetting your Nanoleaf controller can help solve almost all issues associated with the software side of your Nanoleaf ecosystem.

It basically wipes out all the data from your controller, ensuring that you start the setup from scratch.

To reset your Nanoleaf controller to factory defaults, follow the steps below:

• Unplug the Nanoleaf controller.

• Long press the + and power buttons on the Nanoleaf controller, and plug the power supply back.

• Hold the buttons till the LED indicator on the Nanoleaf controller's power button turns on.

• Once it's on, release the buttons immediately.

• The status LED lights flashing indicates that the hard reset process has commenced.

• After a minute or two, the power button LED should turn on and cycle through different colors, indicating the process has been completed.

Power Cycle the Nanoleaf Controller

If the above steps fail, then it might be time to test out a tried and tested troubleshooting method intended to clear any temporary hardware bugs.

More specifically, power cycles are intended to clear out any misbehaving charges from within so that the system can be charged fresh from scratch.

Misbehaving charges can cause an imbalance of charges within the system, which can be a prime cause of a variety of temporary hardware bugs.

In fact, it is one of the leading steps that help fix common Nanoleaf-related issues such as Nanoleaf's frequent disconnections and refusal to turn on.

To perform a power cycle on the Nanoleaf controller, follow the steps given below:

• Unplug the Nanoleaf controller from its power source.

• Plug the Nanoleaf controller back into its power source.

• Let the Nanoleaf controller sit in its power-on state idly for about a minute.

It is best to perform multiple power cycles.

Final Thoughts

If you have further doubts or queries regarding the issue, contact Nanoleaf support.

I hope my article on how you can fix the 'Nanoleaf unreachable' error message that pops up on the Nanoleaf app has been a helpful read.

Have a good day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can the Nanoleaf controller work without the internet?

The Nanoleaf controller requires an active internet connection to relay commands from the user to the Nanoleaf lights.

Do Nanoleaf lights have a hotspot functionality?

Nanoleaf lights have a hotspot feature to pair with the Nanoleaf controller in case the WiFi connection is unavailable or out of reach.

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