Experiencing issues with your Control Hub? This guide provides a comprehensive approach to troubleshooting common problems and ensures a smooth operation system installation and setup. We’ll address frequent indicators of Control Hub issues and guide you through effective solutions.
Is your Driver Station device failing to connect to the Control Hub Wi-Fi?
Is the Driver Station connected to Wi-Fi but showing no ping or communication?
Has the Status LED remained solid blue for over 30 seconds after startup?
Resolving Control Hub Connection Problems with REV Hardware Client
Encountering difficulties connecting your Control Hub to the REV Hardware Client? Often, a Wi-Fi reset can resolve connectivity issues by downgrading the Wi-Fi connection to 2.4GHz, which can improve compatibility. If you are using a 5GHz Android device, consider switching the Wi-Fi band for optimal performance. Refer to the Updating Wi-Fi Settings section for detailed instructions on band switching.
External Wi-Fi environment factors significantly impact establishing and maintaining a stable connection between your Control Hub and computer. Effective troubleshooting begins with understanding your environment. Ask yourself these key questions to isolate the root cause of connection problems:
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What is the nature of your local Wi-Fi environment? High density environments can cause interference.
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Is your computer automatically connecting to other Wi-Fi networks? The Control Hub creates a local Wi-Fi network without internet access. Your computer might be configured to prioritize known networks with internet access, causing connection conflicts.
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Are you operating within a school or business network environment? Many institutions implement security measures that may block unauthorized Wi-Fi access points like the Control Hub. Consult your local Wi-Fi administrator to ensure the Control Hub is approved and whitelisted on your network.
If the Control Hub SSID is not visible in your Wi-Fi network list, manually input the Control Hub SSID to attempt a direct connection. This can bypass automatic network selection issues.
For persistent problems, contact REV Support and provide comprehensive troubleshooting details, including answers to the questions above and the outcomes of troubleshooting steps you’ve taken. Sending logs and diagnostic data to REV Support is crucial for efficient issue resolution.
Need guidance on retrieving Log Files for REV Support? See Downloading Log File for detailed instructions.
Troubleshooting Driver Hub Connection Failures
The following information addresses initial connection setup between the Control Hub and Driver Station. For intermittent or periodic connection drops, consult the information below this section.
A Wi-Fi reset can be beneficial for initial Driver Hub connections, potentially downgrading the connection to the 2.4GHz band. If your Driver Hub supports 5GHz, switching bands might improve performance. Refer to Updating Wi-Fi Settings for guidance on this process.
External factors, such as the surrounding Wi-Fi environment, greatly influence the stability of the connection between the Control Hub and Driver Station. Systematic troubleshooting involves isolating variables by asking targeted questions and analyzing the responses. Consider these questions during your troubleshooting process:
If the Control Hub SSID is not appearing in the list of available Wi-Fi networks on your Driver Station, manually enter the Control Hub SSID on the Driver Station to attempt a connection. Manual entry can help if there are SSID broadcasting issues or network discovery problems.
If connection problems persist after following the flowchart and addressing potential root causes, look for patterns in the behavior. How frequently do disconnects occur? Are there specific events coinciding with these disconnects? Consider these scenarios for pattern identification:
- Connection is stable at home but unreliable at school. This could indicate network interference or security policies at school.
- Connection is stable until robot movement begins. This may suggest power supply issues, signal obstruction, or motor interference.
Remember, correlation does not necessarily imply causation, but identifying patterns offers valuable data for deeper troubleshooting.
For further assistance, contact REV Support with detailed information about your troubleshooting steps, including answers to the questions above and outcomes. Providing logs and diagnostic data will expedite the support process.
For help obtaining Log Files to send to REV Support, consult Downloading Log File for instructions.
Addressing Solid Blue Status LED on Control Hub
This section specifically addresses troubleshooting a Control Hub exhibiting a solid blue Status LED. If you are experiencing issues with an Expansion Hub, please refer to the Expansion Hub Troubleshooting guide for Expansion Hub-specific guidance.
The Control Hub’s Status LED is analogous to a car’s check engine light. A solid blue LED indicates a communication failure between the Robot Controller and the Control Hub’s I/O, but not the underlying cause. Updating the Control Hub to the latest software versions is a crucial first step in resolving this. Two update methods are detailed below.
Updating via REV Hardware Client
The REV Hardware Client is designed to simplify REV device management. This software automatically detects connected devices, downloads necessary software updates, and facilitates seamless device updating. Using the REV Hardware Client ensures all necessary updates are applied, potentially resolving the solid blue LED issue. The Hardware Client can also Send Diagnostic Data to REV.
If you lack access to a Windows 10 or higher PC, alternative methods for diagnostic data retrieval and software updates are available. See Downloading Log File for data retrieval options, and Updating Firmware, Updating Operating System, and Updating Robot Controller Application for manual software update steps.
Updating via Android Studio
The Control Hub requires Robot Controller Application version 5.0 or higher. If you are using Android Studio for development, ensure your project uses version 5.0 or later.
If you utilize Android Studio for coding, updating your Robot Controller application involves creating a new Android Studio project with the latest Robot Controller APK. Detailed instructions are available in the FTC Wiki Android Studio Tutorial. This ensures you are running the most current operation system components.
Addressing Compressed XT30 Pins
A common cause of loose or unstable XT30 port connections is compression of the pins within the male XT30 connector on the Hub. Each pin consists of four tines that should have slight spacing. The image below illustrates a correctly spaced pin (top) and a compressed pin (bottom). Even with visible space, a pin can still be too compressed for optimal contact.
To rectify compressed XT30 pins, carefully use an X-ACTO Knife or a similar thin blade to gently separate the tines. Exercise extreme caution during this repair, as over-expanding the tines can prevent proper connector fit.
After slightly separating the tines, the male and female XT30 connectors should establish a more secure and reliable connection, improving power delivery and signal integrity.
Remember that this repair requires careful execution. Overextending the tines can weaken them and diminish their holding force. Damage caused by compressed or overextended pins is not covered under warranty due to its nature as wear and tear or improper handling.
Need Further Assistance?
Contact REV Support with comprehensive details of your troubleshooting efforts, including answers to the initial diagnostic questions and the outcomes of each troubleshooting step. Providing logs and diagnostic data greatly assists in efficient problem resolution.
For guidance on retrieving Log Files for REV Support submission, refer to Downloading Log File.
