Solis inverter WiFi setup
How do I update the WiFi settings on my Solis inverter?
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. To update the WiFi, you join the dongle's own temporary network, open its settings page in your phone's browser, and follow the built-in setup steps to 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.
There are a few common reasons you might need to update the WiFi settings on your Solis solar inverter :
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.
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. The steps below cover Solis inverters.
How to set up WiFi for Solis inverters
Solis inverters use the same kind of dongle as Sofar inverters, and the same settings page. That page will only load while your phone is connected to the dongle's own network, not to your home WiFi.
What you will need
- Your Solis inverter, powered on and accessible
- The WiFi dongle, properly inserted into the bottom of the inverter
- Your WiFi network name and password. The dongle only works on a 2.4 GHz network, and there is more on that further down this page.
- Your smartphone or tablet, to connect to the dongle and set it up
Check your WiFi connection
A 2.4 GHz WiFi network is required to connect the dongle. WiFi dongles are only compatible with 2.4 GHz networks, and will not support 5 GHz. If you're unsure, here is how you find out.
A strong WiFi signal is required to connect the dongle. If your WiFi signal is weak (below 15%), you may need a booster, which is a small add-on that widens the reach of your WiFi. If you're unsure of your WiFi signal strength, you can check your WiFi signal.
Step-by-step setup for Solis
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.
- Plug the dongle into the inverter: insert it into the bottom right of your inverter. Flashing lights will appear on the dongle. That means it is ready to connect.
- Connect to the dongle's network: open your phone's WiFi settings and look for a network starting with AP or Solis followed by numbers. That is the dongle's own temporary network (AP stands for access point, which is the technical name for it). Connect to it, even if your phone says there is no internet. The password is printed on the dongle label (the standard password is '123456789').
- Access the settings page: open your phone's browser (e.g. Google Chrome) and type 10.10.100.254 into the address bar at the top of the screen. This is the dongle's own web page. If prompted, log in with username "admin" and password "123456789".
- Open the setup steps: on the left side of the screen, select the quick set tab, then tap the button labelled Wizard. That opens a built-in step-by-step setup, which connects the dongle to your home WiFi network. You can check the signal strength here too. If it is below 15%, you may need a booster.
- Press Finish: your Solis inverter is now connected to WiFi.
- Disconnect your phone: disconnect from the dongle's network and reconnect to your home WiFi.
Finished. Your Solis inverter is now connected to WiFi.
- If the AP/Solis 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, not your home WiFi.
- If your signal strength is weak (below 15%), 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 and Solis, 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 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 Solis 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, you can check the signal strength by clicking 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 Sofar inverter, reconnect a Sofar inverter to your home WiFi.
- Change WiFi on EcoFlow PowerOcean, reconnect an EcoFlow system to WiFi.
- Solis remote access setup, how to give us remote access to your inverter.
- Solis fault codes explained, what each code means and what to check.