Front panel quick run time

post by dirkg on Jul 21, 2018

When I do a quick run on the app I can change the time from the default of 3 minutes. Is there a way to change this default because when turning on from the front panel of the controller itself the zoo only runs for the 3 min default.

Tldr…can you change default quick run time?

post by franz on Jul 21, 2018

@dirkg Front panel run time is not configurable. I will relay this suggestion to the product team.

Thank you for your question and feedback!

post by EdL on Jul 22, 2018

I agree. A default setting that would allow the user a configurable amount of time, globally or by zone, would be very helpful.

I just installed my controller yesterday and if my wife finds out her manual control option (“I don’t want to use my phone. I hate all this technology. As long as I can still turn on zones manually from the box, that should be okay”) is only good for 3 minutes, I’ll have bigger problems than keeping my yard irrigated. Please seriously consider this feature.

post by Kubisuro on Jul 22, 2018

There could be a compromise using IFTTT to create a single tap button that starts a zone with a predefined watering time — may save a few taps, at least. There are about a trillion things people want their Rachio to have or do and IFTTT can certainly help with many of those ideas. Even better if IFTTT has some kind of way to create a phone home screen button to quick run a specific zone.

post by EdL on Jul 26, 2018

Thanks for the suggestion to use IFTTT to “create a single tap button” to start a zone. I currently use IFTTT for several items in my home including some Rachio features. I’m just not familiar with how I can use IFTTT at the controller to create a single tap button. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

post by Kubisuro on Jul 26, 2018

Well, without spending more money on physical ‘smart buttons’ that link to IFTTT (they exist but kind of pricey IMO), the compromise I was speaking to is setting up an applet where there’d just be one or two taps on a smart phone or tablet to quick run any zone for a predetermined time. This would avoid perceived challenges of using the Rachio app to Quick Run zones.

post by EdL on Jul 26, 2018

Thanks again for the idea. I was hoping to find a solution for my “anti-tech” wife to turn on a zone, at the controller, for more than a 3 minute cycle. So far it hasn’t come up. But it’s only a matter of time. Lol. Thanks again.

post by dirkg on Jul 26, 2018

Exactly. That is what I’d be looking for as well.

post by tonyk1321 on Sep 22, 2019

Is this problem fixed yet? Since my Rachio will no longer connect to my home network, I cannot use the app to control the time for a Quick Run, so I’d like to have the front panel button configured for a 30 min run.

post by Stewart on Sep 22, 2019

Why not? Have you tried Wi-Fi reset and/or factory reset?

If the Rachio hardware has failed, get an RMA and have it replaced.

If your home network has changed such that it is incompatible with Rachio, temporarily connect Rachio to a phone set up as a mobile hotspot, program a fixed schedule, which should then run daily (or at whatever interval you set), without a Wi-Fi connection. When the home network is fixed, reset Wi-Fi again so Rachio can connect to it.

post by tonyk1321 on Sep 22, 2019

Yes on the WiFi reset. Many times. No go!!

How can I tell that the h/w had failed? How do I know that the h/w is the reason for my failure to connect, and that it’s not a Rachio s/w problem?

My home network has not changed in a long time. The failure to connect has only started in the last few days. Prior to that, it was working fine.

post by Stewart on Sep 22, 2019

Can you get the controller into the state where it is awaiting provision (2nd light blinking)? If not, try a factory reset. If still no luck, it’s a hardware failure and you should request an RMA.

With the second light blinking, does your phone see a Wi-Fi network named Rachio-xxxxxx (where xxxxxx are the last 6 characters of the MAC address)? If not (and your phone sees other networks ok), try a factory reset. If you still can’t see the Rachio-xxxxxx, it’s a hardware failure and you should request an RMA.

If you get this far, temporarily turn off mobile data on your phone and try to run the app to connect Rachio to Wi-Fi. If you fail, try from another device (if available, try iOS if you were using Android, or vice-versa). A tablet or an old phone without a valid SIM card should be ok for this.

If you still have trouble, post details of what goes wrong.

post by tonyk1321 on Sep 23, 2019

I finally got it to work. In addition to the steps you mentioned, I also had to shut-off the VPN in my phone. Once the Rachio says OK, then I put all the phone settings back. I’m glad to have Rachio back online.

post by the.brian.l.hoffman on May 1, 2020

Bought a house with 8zulwc. Unit was unplugged all winter so I guess the non-volatile whatever lost whatever program the previous owners had. I can force a zone to water, but only for 3 minutes which means for 8 zones, 30 minutes each, I have to push the buttons 80 times every 3 minutes. Why don’t I program the thing myself? The app doesn’t run on my ipad (ios 10.3.3: just shows a splash screen and then exits after 10 seconds). Maybe if the thing was able to see my wifi it wouldn’t be so non-automated? In the mean time it would be nice if I could just force a zone on and leave it on so I only have to get up and push buttons 8 times instead of 80.

post by Linn on May 1, 2020

Have you tried running it from the web app on a browser? That should still work on a back level IOS device.

post by the.brian.l.hoffman on May 1, 2020

The support folks told me the web app will only work if I can get the unit onto my new wifi. That requires a discovery procedure that requires an ios or android app. I have an ipad with 10.3.3 which it claims is the newest available from Apple, but as I said the Rachio app installs and then exits immediately when I try to open it. The app’s detailed description claims support for ios 10.3 on ipad, so why do think the environment is down rev?

post by Stewart on May 1, 2020

Do you have an Android or iOS phone? If so, try that. Or, can you easily borrow one just for Wi-Fi setup?

Otherwise, do you have a Windows, Mac or Linux computer with Wi-Fi? If so, see

post by the.brian.l.hoffman on May 1, 2020

No I don’t have an Android or IOS phone – isn’t the ipad supported (that has what it claims is up-to-date IOS version)? I’m not comfortable borrowing a phone for covid reasons. I do have a Windows 10 PC on the same wifi as the controller needs to connect to, and have programmed with C and python for many years on Linux and Windows (work for HPE) – so I’m not afraid of “very technical” workarounds while Rachio and Apple fix their bugs. Can I disconnect the Rachio and just use a 24V power supply to energize one solenoid at a time to get the lawn watered?

post by Stewart on May 1, 2020

Assuming that it works, it should take just a few minutes to ‘provision’ your controller from your Win 10 machine. Then, as desired, you can use either the iPad or Win 10 to control Rachio.

post by Stewart on May 1, 2020

Of course, but it’s likely even easier to use the manual lever on a valve, or just loosen the solenoid a bit and the valve should open.

post by zachio on May 1, 2020

I’m currently taking a look at issues with iOS 10 devices. I’ll keep you posted when I have an update.

post by the.brian.l.hoffman on May 2, 2020

Thanks zachio. In the meantime I would try the Windows or Linux workarounds if they are forthcoming?

post by Stewart on May 2, 2020

I don’t understand your question. The workarounds were posted and should work now. If you tried one and it failed, please post in detail what went wrong.

post by the.brian.l.hoffman on May 3, 2020

I finally figured out that without doing a factory reset, the unit wouldn’t try to solicit a connection on its private wifi, and so you could go no further. I did the factory reset, the rachio appeared as a wifi on my windows 10 box and tried Stewart’s suggestion about browsing to it, but that doesn’t work as it doesn’t do the get/post exchange as he’d suggested. But the original curl get and then post did work, the unit reset and then appeared with an IP address on my router. At this point I was hoping I could browse to that address and get a meaningful dialog going, but it has no support (no such page errors). Then I installed telnet support and tried to connect that way, but that’s refused by the rachio. Then I went back to the rachio web site, login’d in, and it puts you on the locations page. You can change your profile in the settings, you can get API key (not sure what to do with it once it’s in your clipboard), but have no idea how to do so-called remote watering. Tried to get to any page other than “locations”, like remote, locations/remote (makes you log in again, puts you back to locations), or the ever-popular “home”, to no avail. Is there a programmer’s guide or API of curl commands some endeavoring Windows or Linux geek could use to make this more user friendly?

post by the.brian.l.hoffman on May 3, 2020

Didn’t mention I tried add device, but it still insists you have to have a mobile phone.

post by Stewart on May 3, 2020

I’m not certain that adding a controller only affects the back end (the app does not talk directly to the controller), but suspect that is the case because there are credible posts where the user had done a factory reset and didn’t need to re-add it in the app.

Assuming that this is true, just ask a friend or neighbor to add it for you. Worst case, he’ll get an error indicating no communication with the device. If it works, it should then be possible to do the rest of the setup from your web browser.

post by the.brian.l.hoffman on May 3, 2020

I’m reluctant to ask people that I don’t know yet in my new neighborhood (just moved here a few days ago) to take covid risks. It seems like the plan to get the controller online to my wifi was successful, and the next step of doing remote watering from any web browser as the documentation promises should work. This doesn’t need the broken ipad app, just the website. But I can’t get as far as the website attempting to connect to my controller, so I must be doing something wrong (it just keeps insisting an install on a smart phone was necessary to add a device).

post by Stewart on May 3, 2020

If my understanding is correct, they should not have to be near the controller and can do it from their home. Once the controller is set up, they could delete the app. You could even ask a friend halfway around the world, as long as they have a compatible phone and internet access.

post by the.brian.l.hoffman on May 5, 2020

Stewart, I now consider you my friend. Would you help me out by setting up my rachio?

post by Stewart on May 5, 2020

Sure. PM me the email address for your Rachio account, the password and the serial number of your device. I’ll attempt to set it up; if it fails I’ll report what went wrong.

If your password is also used on other sites, please change it to something unique before sending it. And after I’m done, change it to something I don’t know.

post by scorp508 on May 5, 2020

Is it over 5 years old? Apple typically supports a HW model for 5 years then stops providing iOS updates. As far as I know iPad 4th Generation (not iPad Pro 4th Gen, that’s newer) or older cannot upgrade beyond 10.3.3. This may be entirely orthogonal to why the app isn’t running, just providing some detail on why 10.3.3 may be the latest available for you.

post by the.brian.l.hoffman on May 5, 2020

That’s possible, 5 yrs go by quickly. Rachio’s install page in the Apple Store did claim support for 10.3, which is why I held out hope that Rachio would fix whatever was making it not work. I now may have a kindly community member configure the app.rach.io so my controller appears to the remote watering capability on Windows Chrome. That hopefully will be good enough in case Rachio can’t or won’t fix 10.3 ipad support.

post by the.brian.l.hoffman on May 7, 2020

They were able to force my Rachio controller to be known by the app. Got on my Windows Chrome browser and it shows up with the owner’s previous pictures and configuration. When I tried to make changes it was very unresponsive, like it was communicating over a 300 Baud modem. Tried changing my password, and that has been hung for 5 minutes at the “Changing Password” pop-up. Does this thing only work reasonably with the smart phone? As is, it is so slow as to be unusable.

post by Stewart on May 7, 2020

I just did a test, also using Chrome under Win 10. From the home screen, went to Account Settings, then Profile, then Change Password, entered a new password (2 places), then Done. At each step, response time was less than one second.

Try in Safari from your iPad and report whether that’s any better. If not, do you still see a solid connection from controller to router? Do the lights on the controller show that it’s on line?

post by rkburks on Sep 29, 2021

Just chiming in on very old topic to request system enhancement please: be able to configure default quick run duration (because 3 min is a hardship).

My reason today: builders working next door again cut my fiber Internet line and will take days to repair (bad enough to not have Internet but on top of that I must worry about my garden and lawn).

Thanks for your consideration

post by Nointernet on Jun 18, 2023

I cannot believe this thread is 5 years old.

I purchased my brand new Rachio controller from Costco last summer. Loved it. I also hooked up the controller with my Home Assistant which was really nice. I did not use it much as I rely on the Rachio app. All great.

Fast forward to last Wednesday. My fiber internet stopped working at my house. Technician will come out next week. Live in a major city, sounds like they have big backlog to get internet fixed.

I had not enabled the schedule yet as I wanted to make sure we got it right for our plants that we made changes for.

Rachio app does not connect to the controller as the controller needs internet. Understandable.

So because of this I tried to manually trigger a run by using the Radio Home Assistant integration. It cannot connect to internet so that fails.

Then I tried to run the Rachio controller from our garage but it only triggers the run for 3 minutes

without an option to run it longer. That obviously is way too short of a time period.

Something needs to be done so that the controller can be controlled locally without the internet. I’m about to throw this device out and get something that is local only and never recommend the device to others. Imagine if you could only run a smart thermostat AC for 3 minutes at a time without the internet.

Again, I cannot believe this thread is 5 years old with no reasonable modern solution.

post by jjyahoo on Jun 6, 2024

Agreed. It seems like a pretty simple solution. I use my irrigation system to keep deer out of the yard with a smarthome hub (SmartThings). My neighbor wants to do the same using his Amazon Alexa and existing camera system. The routines on my hub allow me to stop a quick run after 1 minute. Alexa’s routines are more basic and don’t allow zones to be turned off after 1 minute so I am assuming it will default to 3 minutes. Hope rachio addresses this issue.