Connectivity and range issues are common in the Z-Wave world. Let's figure this out:
Network Discovery should come first. This is a feature in Wink's app that allows you to refresh the connections between hub and devices, and may help Wink find the most efficient route to your dimmer.
1. Open your Wink app and tap the Menu button in the top-left corner of the screen
2. Tap on Hubs
3. Tap on the gear icon in the top-right corner
4. Select your hub
5. Scroll down and tap on Z-Wave
6. Tap on Z-Wave Network Discovery
Wait for the Success alert before exiting out of your app. As soon as you see the alert, check your dimmer again to see if it's still showing Offline. If you'd like to learn more about Network Discovery and Wink Z-Wave controls, here's the official resource.
No luck with Network Discovery? Try excluding and re-including the dimmer without changing the location of either the switch or Wink. Similar to refreshing the network, it's possible that Wink hasn't found the best communication route between it and the device. Exclusion is like reset, and it may kickstart the communication.
Another thing to check for is the material of your switch box - in this case, plastic boxes are ideal. Metal boxes interfere with the Z-Wave radio signal and shorten overall range. To see if the metal box is causing the dimmer to drop offline, try installing a Z-Wave signal repeater (any non-battery powered Z-Wave device - plugs, relays, in-wall switches, or dedicated range extender) between the dimmer and Wink to see if connectivity improves. Z-Wave Plus devices have longer range than regular Z-Wave devices, so if possible go with a Z-Wave Plus repeater!
If it's not too much of a hassle, it's also worth installing the dimmer in a spot closer to the hub or moving Wink closer to the dimmer for testing purposes. This will let you see if the issue is range or if there were just too many interferences in the original location. If moving either the dimmer or the hub, remember to exclude and re-include from the new location to allow the two to connect properly.
If you've tried all of the above and nothing has helped, please let us know! Our team is always happy to help.
