Sofar inverter WiFi setup
How do I reconnect my Sofar inverter to WiFi?
To reconnect a Sofar inverter, you join the temporary network created by the dongle (the small device plugged into the bottom of your inverter), open the dongle's own settings page in your phone's browser, and enter your new home network details. You can do this yourself in a few minutes, and the step-by-step instructions are further down this page.
If your SofarCloud app has stopped updating, the most likely cause is that your Sofar solar inverter has lost its connection to your home WiFi network. Your panels and inverter are still working and generating electricity. It is only the reporting that has stopped, because without a WiFi connection the inverter cannot send its readings to the cloud (the online service that stores your system's data) for you to see 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.
What is a solar inverter?
A solar inverter is the box that changes the electricity your panels make into the electricity your home can use. Your panels produce direct current (DC). Your sockets and appliances run on alternating current (AC). The inverter sits between the two and converts one into the other.
The trigger is almost always a change to your home network. If you have switched broadband provider, changed your WiFi password, or moved your router, your inverter needs to be told the new details.
Common reasons this happens
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 settings 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.
Reconnecting is straightforward.
What you will need
The dongle is the small device plugged into the bottom of your inverter. It is what connects your system to your home WiFi, and it is the only part you need to touch. Before you start, make sure you have the following:
- Your Sofar inverter, with the WiFi dongle plugged into it
- 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
Your WiFi network must be 2.4 GHz. The dongle will not work with a 5 GHz network. If you are not sure which frequency your router uses, see the section below on checking your WiFi frequency. A strong signal also matters: if your signal strength is below 15%, you may need a WiFi booster, which is a small add-on that widens the reach of your WiFi. See how to check your WiFi signal strength.
Step-by-step setup for Sofar
The WiFi dongle on your inverter creates its own temporary network that you need to connect to first.
Turn mobile data off on your phone before you start. The dongle has no internet connection of its own, so if mobile data is left on, your phone will keep jumping back to 4G or 5G and the settings page will not load.
- Connect to the dongle's network: open the WiFi settings on your phone or tablet and look for a network named AP_ followed by a series of numbers. That is the dongle's own temporary network (AP stands for access point, the technical name for it). You may need to scroll past other networks to find it. Tap to connect, then enter the password printed on the bottom of the dongle, labelled "Pwd". Your phone may say "No internet available". This is expected, so stay connected.
- Open the dongle's settings page: open any internet browser on your phone (Chrome, Safari, etc.), and type 10.10.100.254 into the address bar at the top of the screen. This is the dongle's own web page. It will only load while your phone is connected to the dongle's network, not to your home WiFi.
- Log in: a login screen will appear. Enter the username admin and the password admin, both in lowercase.
- Run the Wizard: once logged in, look at the menu on the left side of the screen and tap Wizard. This is the dongle's built-in step-by-step setup. Wait a moment for the page to load all available networks, then select your home WiFi network from the list and tap Next.
- Enter your WiFi password: use the "Show Password" option to make sure it is correct, then tap Next through the remaining two screens. There is nothing you need to change on these pages. Tap OK on the final screen to finish.
- Disconnect your phone: disconnect from the dongle's network (AP_) and reconnect to your home WiFi. The inverter should now be online.
Finished. Your Sofar inverter is now connected to WiFi.
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 check the connection in two ways: by looking at the lights on the dongle, or by looking at the dongle's status page.
If you are not sure which method applies to you, use the status page. A single phase supply is the standard connection in most Irish homes. A three phase supply is a heavier connection found in larger properties and businesses. The status page method works for either one.
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.
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.
- If the AP_ network does not appear, check that the dongle is properly inserted and that the inverter has power. If it still does not appear, contact us and we will talk you through what to do next.
- 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 below 15%, you may need a WiFi booster, which is a small add-on that widens the reach of your WiFi.
How to check if your WiFi is 2.4 GHz
Many solar inverters, including Sofar, only work with 2.4 GHz WiFi networks. WiFi comes in two types, called bands, and most modern routers broadcast both at once. Think of them as two radio stations coming out of the same box.
The 2.4 GHz band is slower, but it travels further and pushes through walls more easily, which is why most smart devices use it. The 5 GHz band is faster, but its range is shorter. Routers do not always make it obvious which one you are connected to, so it is worth checking.
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.
Ways to check your WiFi frequency
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:
- Find your router's IP address. That is just a short string of numbers that identifies your router on your home network, a bit like a house number. It is usually printed on the back of the router itself, but the most common ones are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
- Open a browser (e.g. Google Chrome) and type the IP address into the address bar at the top of the screen. This opens the router's login page.
- Log in. You will need the admin username and password, which should also be printed on the back of the router.
- Look for a section called Wireless Settings, WiFi Settings or Advanced Settings.
- In this menu, you will see your WiFi bands listed as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
Some routers let you split the two bands so they appear as two separate networks, which makes setup much easier. Others show a single network name and quietly pick a band for each device on your behalf. This is called band steering, and it makes it harder to force your inverter onto 2.4 GHz. If you cannot split the bands, contact your internet provider and ask them to 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, which does the same job as a booster, to create 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. Signal strength is 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. It can be affected by distance from the router, physical obstructions like walls or furniture, and interference from other devices.
Ways to check your WiFi signal strength
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. Search your phone's app store for "WiFi analyser" and choose one with good reviews.
Understanding signal strength readings
WiFi signal strength is usually shown in dBm. The numbers look odd, but the rule is simple: higher is better. Anything above about -70 dBm is fine. Below that, your connection may become unreliable. Here is a general guide:
| Reading | Rating |
|---|---|
| -30 dBm | Excellent (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.ie. Let us know which step you got stuck on and what you are seeing on your phone screen.
You might also find these guides useful:
- Change WiFi on Solis inverter, reconnect your Solis inverter to your home WiFi.
- Change WiFi on EcoFlow PowerOcean, reconnect your EcoFlow system to WiFi.
- Solis fault codes explained, what each code means and what to check.