- How to resolve basic issues with the Ikea Trådfri smart home devices.
? What type of issue are you having with your Ikea Tradfri devices?
- I think my system is missing some features
- My lights don't all turn on and off at the same time
- The brightness levels of my lights don't match up
- I can't control my lighting devices using the steering devices
- I can't control my devices using the app
- My device(s) are unreachable in the app
- My device(s) are missing from the app

- How to resolve basic issues with the Ikea Trådfri smart home devices.
To continue, we need to know what Operating System your smartphone or tablet has.
There are 2 main Operating Systems for smartphones currently available, Android and iOS.
Android Smartphone | iOS Smartphone |
---|---|
Android smartphones are produced by multiple companies, such as Samsung, LG, Motorola, HTC, and OnePlus. | Apple is the only company that makes iOS smartphones. |
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- Open the Play Store.
- At the top, choose the three bars on the left of the search line.
- Choose My apps & games at the top.
- Choose Update All.
To get the most out of your Ikea Trådfri devices it is recommended to keep them up to date. Updating their firmware can improve your devices by adding new features or fixing existing issues.
- Launch the Ikea Trådfri app on your mobile device.
- If there is an update available, you will be notified right away and the update will be performed automatically. Tap OK to accept and wait for the update to complete.
- If you want to perform an update manually, tap Settings in the top right corner.
- Then go to TRÅDFRI version.
- And tap Check for updates.
- If an app has an update available, the App Store will show a number in a red circle next to it.
- Choose the App Store on your home screen.
- Choose Updates at the bottom, then choose Update All on the top-right.
Turning on and off the light bulbs from the main power can cause them to become out of sync. Whether they no longer turn on and off at the same time, don't have the same brightness when turned on or they are of different colors, you can re-sync the light bulbs using the remote control.
To Sync On/Off or Brightness
- Make sure all the out of sync light bulbs are turned on from the main power.
- Increase the brightness using the remote control, until they all have shine the same.
- Turn them all off with the remote control
- Wait a few seconds and turn them back on with the remote control.
To Sync Color
- Turn on all the light bulbs that you want to have the same color.
- Press and hold the power button on the remote control for about three seconds.
- The lights will turn off and then back on.
- Release the power button.
To reseat or replace the batteries for your steering devices, you have to perform the same steps:
The Ikea Trådfri steering devices run on CR2032 batteries.
For a Remote Control
- Use a screwdriver or a similar tool to remove the battery cover of the remote control.
- Reseat or replace the battery with the positive side outward.
- Replace the battery cover.
For a Wireless Dimmer
- Press the wireless dimmer against the palm of your hand and turn the cover counter clockwise then lift it to remove it.
- Use a screwdriver or a similar tool to detach the dimmer body from the base.
- Flip the dimmer body on the other side and reseat or replace the battery with the positive side outward.
- Reattach the dimmer body into the base.
- Replace the cover and turn it clockwise to secure it.
For a Motion Sensor
- Use a screwdriver or a similar tool to remove the battery cover of the motion sensor.
- Reseat or replace the batteries with the positive side outward.
- Replace the battery cover.
For easier setup, install your smart bulb in an easy-to-move lamp first. Once it has been added to your smart home system, the bulb can be relocated into the fixture you prefer.
- Make sure your lamp is turned off.
- Remove the existing bulb.
- Carefully install the Ikea Trådfri bulb.
- Turn your lamp on.
If the light bulb was already linked with a smart home system before, you may need to reset it by turning the light on and off six times in a row.
Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.
- Plug the control outlet into a power outlet. If you're using a power strip, make sure it's turned on.
If the control outlet was already linked with a smart home system before, you may need to reset it by pressing and holding the button inside the pinhole on the side of the outlet (pointed out in the above image) for at least five seconds.
Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.
To continue, we need to know what Operating System your smartphone or tablet has.
There are 2 main Operating Systems for smartphones currently available, Android and iOS.
Android Smartphone | iOS Smartphone |
---|---|
Android smartphones are produced by multiple companies, such as Samsung, LG, Motorola, HTC, and OnePlus. | Apple is the only company that makes iOS smartphones. |
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Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.
To check if your Android mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:
- Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
- Select Wi-Fi.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is turned On, then select the Wi-Fi network that says Connected under it.
- Here, you'll see the basics of your Wi-Fi connection, with the Wi-Fi network name at the top, and other information such as Signal Strength, Link Speed and the Frequency you're connected at and the Security type of the network.
More Details
- To see more information about your connection, select Cancel.
- Select the Settings gear in the top right corner.
- Here, you'll see a variety of information related to your connection at the bottom, such as the MAC (Media Access Control) address and IP addresses your Android device has been given.
- Hold down the power button on your Android device.
Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
- A prompt will appear on-screen. Select Restart.
- If you had to shut down your Android device, wait 30 seconds before turning your device back on.
Make sure your device is properly connected to the router with the Ethernet cable by trying the following:
- Inspect the Ethernet cable ends and device Ethernet ports for physical damage and remove any foreign objects.
- Unplug it and plug it back in firmly or plug it into another available numbered LAN port on the router.
- Unplug it and plug it back in firmly into your devices Ethernet port.
- Alternatively, you can replace the Ethernet cable, if you have a spare.
To reboot a router simply unplug the power cord, make sure that all the lights went off, keep it powered off for 30 seconds then plug the power cord back in.
- Turn the gateway cover counter clockwise to the unlocked position then lift it.
- Unplug the two cables from the gateway, wait 10 seconds then plug them back in. Wait for all three indicator lights on the gateway to turn on.
- Replace the gateway cover with the cables coming out through the hole then turn it clockwise into the locked position.
Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.
Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.
- From the main screen of your Android device, tap on the Apps button.
- Then look for and tap on Settings.
- Go to Wi-Fi.
- Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
- Your Android device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The Wi-Fi network name will show Connected underneath and the Wi-Fi symbol will fill up in the top right corner of the screen.
- If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock next to the Wi-Fi symbol, which also means the connection is secure. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Connect.
- If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the More option which looks like three dots positioned vertically, on the top right corner of the screen, then tap Add network.
- Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Save if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security and select the security type. Type in the password, then tap Save.
At this point your Android device should be connected to Wi-Fi.
As an alternate way you can also try the following method:
- Swipe downwards from the top side of the screen.
- Look for the Wi-Fi symbol in the drop down menu and tap on the word below it. If you're not connected to any network, it will say Wi-Fi. If you're already connected to a network, it will show its name.
- Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.
To check if your iOS mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:
- From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
- With Settings open, look for the Wi-Fi field. This field will display the current Wi-Fi status on the right hand side:
- Off - the Wi-Fi antenna is currently disabled.
- Not Connected - Wi-Fi is turned on, but your device is not currently connected to a network.
- Wi-Fi network name - Wi-Fi is turned on, and the network name displayed is the network your device is currently connected to.
- You can also tap on the Wi-Fi field and make sure the Wi-Fi switch is in the On position. The switch should be green in color and will display the network that you are currently connected to directly beneath it with a check mark to the left.
- Hold down the lock/power button.
- Slide to power off when prompted.
- Wait until the phone is off.
- Hold down the lock/power button until you see the Apple logo.
Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.
- From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
- After that, go to Wi-Fi. You will see that this option also shows one of three statuses to the right:
- Off - the Wi-Fi feature is disabled
- Not Connected - there is no Wi-Fi connection establishe
- the Wi-Fi connections name - there is a Wi-Fi connection already established.
- Make sure that the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On/Off switch to the green position. Locate and tap the Wi-Fi networks name that you wish to connect to from the list.
- Your iOS device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The checkmark and Wi-Fi symbol indicate you are connected.
- If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock to the right of its name, which also means the connection is secure.
- Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Join on the bottom right corner. If tapping it does nothing, then it means the password you typed in is too short.
- If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the Other... option.
- Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Join at the bottom right if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security.
- Choose the type of security the Wi-Fi network has by tapping on it.
- Finally, type in the required Wi-Fi password and tap Join at the bottom right corner to connect.
At this point your iOS device should be connected to Wi-Fi.
Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.
Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.
Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.
For easier setup, install your smart bulb in an easy-to-move lamp first. Once it has been added to your smart home system, the bulb can be relocated into the fixture you prefer.
- Make sure your lamp is turned off.
- Remove the existing bulb.
- Carefully install the Ikea Trådfri bulb.
- Turn your lamp on.
If the light bulb was already linked with a smart home system before, you may need to reset it by turning the light on and off six times in a row.
Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.
- Plug the control outlet into a power outlet. If you're using a power strip, make sure it's turned on.
If the control outlet was already linked with a smart home system before, you may need to reset it by pressing and holding the button inside the pinhole on the side of the outlet (pointed out in the above image) for at least five seconds.
Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.
