Did you know that over 10 percent of U.S. households now have smart appliances? They're amazingly convenient, making things like remembering what you have in the fridge or preheating your oven as simple as tapping a button on your phone. However, just like any regular appliance, they require maintenance and will occasionally have issues like connection failures or lack of power.
Unfortunately, sometimes there's no avoiding these technical issues — but you can fix them! Sometimes it's an easy fix, while others require the help of professionals (like our team!). We'll go over the most common issues with smart appliances and their resolutions, so you can reclaim control and bid farewell to frustrating glitches!
1. Bad Connection
One of the most common issues with smart appliances is the bad connection. When they aren't connected properly to your home network, they don't work at full capacity — which means you don't have access to all the convenient features! Some connectivity issues include having trouble staying connected or being slow to respond to commands.
If you deal with any of these daily, there are a few options you can do to resolve it.
- Move your router closer to your appliances so it's not in the way of any smart TVs or other devices.
- Segment your network so all your smart appliances are on a different network (less interference that way!).
- Upgrading your internet package to a faster network!
Pro Tip: If you've tried all the basic resolutions, it might be a problem with the appliance itself — bring it to pros (aka us!).
2. Hardware Issues
Is your smart appliance not working at all? If you're sure the issue isn't connection-related, it might be the hardware itself. Usually, this means there's a faulty circuit board or a blown fuse, which will keep it from functioning. In that case, unplug the machine to prevent electrical shocks and look inside if you can spot any obvious problems.
But don't try to solve the issue yourself; you might void the manufacturer's warranty by doing so! Instead, let the pros handle it instead!
3. Don't Got the Power
Another issue smart appliances face is an inconsistent power supply, which will cause them not to run correctly (or at all). Usually, the problem is because of a loose power cord, which is an easy fix. Just make sure it's plugged in directly!
But if that doesn't fix it, there might be a problem with that outlet in your home, so be sure to check your breakers!
4. Internal Errors
Smart appliances make your day easier — so long as they don't constantly show error messages! Typically, if your smart appliance has internal errors, it's because of internal software or connection issues. So, try rebooting the appliance, writing down the error message or number, and using it to check the device manual.
Depending on the severity of the error, you might have to bring it in to get looked at!
5. Surprise Activation
Have you ever noticed that your smart appliance touchpad was suddenly on, but no one touched it or tried to activate it? No, your smart appliances aren't possessed (we hope!); it's usually a setup error. The appliance might be picking up words from casual conversation or a loud TV and thinking it hears the wake word.
In this case, changing the wake words should resolve the issue. But for that, you might need a technician (from our team!) to help set it up for you!
6. Lack of Compatibility
A smooth-running kitchen is possible with your smart appliances communicating with each other or the app to handle some of the details. But when the appliances can't communicate with each other, they might be incompatible with each other. This issue is usually the result of dated networks or other components, but it can also be from upgrading your appliances one by one.
So, if you're experiencing compatibility issues, update the software and firmware regularly, install patches and fixes ASAP, or contact professionals (like our team) to set everything up properly!
7. Security Issues
While not super common, smart appliances can be vulnerable to security issues just like any device with an internet connection. So, it's important to exercise security measures on them, like the following:
- Keep your network segmented, so all your smart appliances are on one network away from the one you use for personal devices.
- Use strong passwords when necessary and change them often.
- Install a VPN on your network to keep your IP address invisible to potential hackers!
Living the Smart Life
As you can see, several common issues can occur with smart appliances. But most often, the fix is simple and easy! And if it's not, leave it to our service team at Dick Van Dyke Appliance World to handle it! Our experts will find the underlying cause of the issue and have it running like new in no time!
Do you have any questions? Give us a call or stop by!