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Solar Inverter WiFi Dongle

How to change WiFi settings on Sofar solar inverter?

Home › Solar Owners Handbook › Change Wifi Sofar Inverter

My SofarCloud app is no longer showing data. Why?

If your SofarCloud app has stopped updating or is no longer showing data from your solar panels, the most likely cause is that your Sofar inverter has lost its connection to your local WiFi network. This is a very common scenario, where your solar panels and inverter are still working fine and generating electricity - but without a WiFi connection, the inverter cannot send performance data to the cloud for you to view in the app.

Which app should I use — SofarCloud or SOLARMAN?

Some customers may be using the SOLARMAN app instead of SofarCloud. This depends on when your system was installed. Sofar Solar (the inverter manufacturer) is gradually moving all users from the older SOLARMAN platform to the newer SofarCloud platform.

The good news: the WiFi reconnection steps below work exactly the same way for both apps. Your inverter connects to your home WiFi network in the same way regardless of which app you use.

What you should do: Continue using whichever app is currently showing your solar data. If you have been using SOLARMAN, keep using SOLARMAN. If you have been using SofarCloud, keep using SofarCloud. After you reconnect your WiFi using the steps below, your data should appear in the same app you have been using all along.

The most common reason for this is a change to your home network. If you have recently switched broadband provider or changed your WiFi password, you will need to re-pair your inverter with your WiFi network using the new credentials.

Common scenarios that cause this issue:

  • You have switched broadband provider and now have a new router with a new network name and password.
  • You changed your WiFi password and need to update the inverter to match.
  • The inverter has lost connection due to weak WiFi signal or changes to your home network.
  • You moved the location of your router which could make the connection weaker.
  • You are setting up the inverter for the first time.

The good news is reconnecting is straightforward. Follow the three steps below - the whole process should take less than five minutes.

What you will need

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

  • Your Sofar inverter with the WiFi dongle plugged in
  • Your smartphone or tablet
  • The SofarCloud app (or SOLARMAN app if that's what you currently use) installed on your device
  • Your current WiFi network name and password

Important: Your WiFi network must be 2.4 GHz - the dongle will not work with 5 GHz networks. If you are unsure which frequency your router uses, see the section below on checking your WiFi frequency. A strong signal is also required - if your signal strength is weak (under 15%), you may need a WiFi booster. See how to check your WiFi signal strength.

Step 1: Connect to the inverter's network

The WiFi dongle on your inverter creates its own temporary network that you need to connect to first.

  1. Open the WiFi settings on your phone or tablet.
  2. Look for a network named AP_ followed by a series of numbers. You may need to scroll past other networks to find it.
  3. Tap to connect. It will ask for a password.
  4. The password is printed on the bottom of the WiFi dongle, labeled "Pwd". Enter it carefully.
  5. Your phone may say "No internet available" - this is expected. Stay connected to this network.

Tip: If the password does not work the first time, try entering it again. Sometimes it takes a couple of attempts.

Step 2: Access the configuration page

Once connected to the dongle's network, you can access its settings page through your phone's web browser.

  • Open any internet browser on your phone (Chrome, Safari, etc.).
  • In the address bar, type: 10.10.100.254
  • A login screen will appear. Enter the following credentials:
    • Username: admin (all lowercase)
    • Password: admin (all lowercase)

Step 3: Run the setup wizard

The Wizard will guide you through connecting the inverter to your home WiFi network.

  1. Once logged in, look at the menu on the left side of the screen.
  2. Tap on Wizard. Wait a moment for the page to load all available networks.
  3. Select your home WiFi network from the list and tap Next.
  4. Enter your WiFi password. Use the "Show Password" option to make sure it is correct.
  5. Tap Next through the remaining two screens. There is nothing you need to change on these pages.
  6. Tap OK on the final screen to finish.

Final step: Disconnect your phone from the dongle's network (AP_) and reconnect to your home WiFi. The inverter should now be online.

Please note: It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours for your app (SofarCloud or SOLARMAN) to update with new data. The app is not real-time - the inverter only checks in with the cloud every few minutes.

Confirm your connection

You can verify the connection using the physical lights on the dongle or by checking the internal status page. The method depends on whether you have a single phase or three phase inverter.

For Single Phase Inverters

Check the NET light on the left side of the WiFi dongle. Before you connected the WiFi, only the two lights on the right would be on or flashing, with the light on the left solid off. If you have successfully connected your inverter to the WiFi, the light on the left with "NET" written underneath it will now be on or flashing. If it is solid on or flashing, you are successfully connected.

For Three Phase Inverters

The lights on three phase inverters are difficult to see, so you will need to check the status page instead. Open an internet browser and type 10.10.100.254. Log in using username admin and password admin (both lowercase). You will automatically go to the Status screen. In the middle section you will see three dropdown menus. Scroll down to the second dropdown menu titled Device Information and tap to open it. If you can see your home WiFi network name in that list, the connection is successful.

Common issues and troubleshooting

  • If the AP_ network does not appear, check that the dongle is properly inserted and try restarting the inverter.
  • If 10.10.100.254 does not load, make sure you are still connected to the dongle's WiFi network (AP_), not your home WiFi.
  • If the password from the dongle does not work on the first attempt, try entering it again carefully.
  • If your signal strength is weak under 15 percent, you may need to install a WiFi booster to improve the connection.

How to check if your WiFi is 2.4 GHz

Many solar inverters including Sofar only work with 2.4 GHz WiFi networks, so it is important to make sure you are using the correct frequency. Most modern routers broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, but they do not always make it obvious which one you are connected to.

Why does it matter?

  • 2.4 GHz WiFi is more compatible with devices like solar inverters, smart plugs, and older smart home devices.
  • 5 GHz WiFi is faster but has a shorter range and does not work with most inverter WiFi dongles.

Method 1: Check the WiFi name

Many routers label the two bands separately. You may already see two WiFi networks like this in your settings:

  • HomeWiFi-2.4
  • HomeWiFi-5G

If that is the case, simply select the one marked 2.4 when connecting your inverter.

Method 2: Check in your router settings

If your WiFi network name does not show the frequency, you can log into your router to check and manage the bands. Most routers have an app or web portal you can log into from your phone or computer. Here is how to do it on most routers:

  1. Find your router's IP address. It is often written on the back of the router itself, but common addresses are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
  2. Open a browser and enter the IP address into the address bar. This opens the router's login page.
  3. Log in. You will need the admin username and password, which should also be printed on the back of the router.
  4. Look for a section called Wireless Settings, WiFi Settings or Advanced Settings.
  5. In this menu, you will see your WiFi bands listed as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

Some routers allow you to separate the bands so they show as two different networks (which is recommended for easier setup). Others may only show one combined network name (called band steering). If your router uses band steering and you cannot separate the networks, you may need to contact your internet provider for help.

Method 3: Use a WiFi analyser app

If you prefer not to log into your router, you can download a free WiFi analyser app on your phone. These apps scan the area and show you nearby WiFi networks along with their frequencies. If you see your network listed as 2.4 GHz, you are good to go.

What if your WiFi is only 5 GHz?

If your router only broadcasts 5 GHz (which is rare) or if you cannot separate the bands, you might need to:

  • Check with your broadband provider to enable 2.4 GHz.
  • Use a WiFi extender that creates a separate 2.4 GHz network for devices like your inverter.

How to check your WiFi signal strength

A strong and stable WiFi connection is essential for your Sofar inverter to connect to the internet. WiFi signal strength refers to how strong the connection is between your device and your wireless router. The stronger the signal, the more reliable your connection is likely to be. Signal strength can be affected by factors such as distance from the router, physical obstructions like walls or furniture and interference from other devices.

Method 1: Check WiFi signal strength on your device

Most devices allow you to check your WiFi signal strength directly. Here is how you can do it:

  • On a smartphone or tablet: Look for the WiFi icon in the status bar at the top of the screen. The number of bars shown gives a quick indication of signal strength. More bars usually means a stronger signal.
  • On a laptop or computer: Click on the WiFi icon in the taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac). Similar to mobile devices, more bars indicate a better connection.

Method 2: Use a WiFi analyser app

For a more detailed view of your WiFi signal strength, you can download a WiFi analyser app. These apps provide real time data on signal strength, along with information about nearby networks that may be causing interference. Some popular apps include WiFi Analyzer for Android and AirPort Utility for iOS.

Understanding signal strength readings

WiFi signal strength is often measured in decibels relative to a milliwatt, shown as dBm. The scale typically ranges from -30 dBm (excellent signal) to -90 dBm (unusable signal). Here is a general guide to understanding these readings:

  • -30 dBm: Excellent signal (very close to the router)
  • -50 dBm: Very good signal
  • -60 dBm: Good signal
  • -70 dBm: Fair signal (may experience slower speeds)
  • -80 dBm and lower: Poor signal (connection is likely unstable)

Tips for improving WiFi signal strength

If you find that your signal strength is weak, there are several steps you can take to improve it:

  • Move closer to your router
  • Place your router in a central location, away from walls and obstructions
  • Reduce interference by keeping your router away from other electronic devices
  • Consider upgrading to a more powerful router if your current one is older

Need a hand?

If you are still having trouble getting your inverter online, get in touch with your installation team at PureVolt and we will be happy to help. Please let us know what step you got stuck on and what you are seeing on your phone screen.

How can we help?