No lights, controller not responding

post by aindian1 on Sep 5, 2020

My Rachio 3 does not have any blue lights. It is not responding to any buttons manually. I checked the power outlet works fine. Is there anything I can do to turn it ON?

post by Thomas_Lerman on Sep 5, 2020

No lights at all? Did you check the output of the transformer for 28 VAC?

post by aindian1 on Sep 5, 2020

No lights. I know outlet works because I plugged in a light into it and it worked. Not sure how to check the output of the transformer or 28 VAC. Thanks for your reply.

post by Thomas_Lerman on Sep 5, 2020

The way to check is with a multimeter, but it sounds like you might not have one.

post by aindian1 on Sep 5, 2020

Yeah I dont have one.

post by Thomas_Lerman on Sep 6, 2020

I am trying to think of a way to test the power supply safely without a multimeter. The only way that comes to mind might be to disconnect a valve from the controller and very carefully hook it up to the power supply to see if the valve kicks on. Obviously, the safer way would be to test it with a multimeter (you, a neighbor, or an electrician).

post by aindian1 on Sep 6, 2020

Thank you. I went and bought a multimeter today. Tested the adapter. It seems to work fine. see attached picture.

post by Thomas_Lerman on Sep 6, 2020

Hmmm, I guess I would suspect an issue with the controller. Maybe contact Rachio support?

post by sgrothe on Sep 29, 2020

I cannot believe that the response here was to buy a multimeter and when that wasn’t it, you got no other response from Rachio.

I have had the same issue. Controller went silent. Wont connect to wi-fi after being unplugged and cannot get any lights to come on. So after 2 days of back and forth with them via email (really??) they sent me a new one. Worked just fine out of the box one time but when I remembered that I cannot get it to connect to wi-fi on my phone set up without going on a mac, i tried again and NOW NO LIGHTS. Its completely dead. Would be nice to have an answer somewhere on the web that could direct me.

post by Thomas_Lerman on Sep 29, 2020

I am sorry that you are frustrated. I did not suggest buying a multimeter, but did ask if he had one to test the power supply. I also tried to think of another way to test the system as I am trying to help diagnose whether it was something with the power supply or the controller. I do not know if that person got a response or not.

post by sgrothe on Oct 2, 2020

Thank you. Your response is very kind. We haven’t changed a thing except the leak and a new controller and now when i do the zone set up and it runs for 3 minutes to test it-zone 1 will not shut off. There is no way to turn it off in the app, the controller doesn’t work. i finally just shut the water off.

post by Thomas_Lerman on Oct 2, 2020

If the outlet works, the transformer works, and of course the transformer is plugged in on both ends . . . then unfortunately, you might have another bad controller. I hope Rachio and you connect very soon to get this resolved.

post by jedipastor on May 28, 2024

Hi, I bought a home with a Rachio 2 installed, and recently it stopped working. There are no lights and it no longer registers with the wifi app. I searched the issue and found this thread helpful. As suggested to the initial poster, I tested the power adapter and it works normally. When I first plug in the adapter to the unit, the bottom light blips blue and then goes out. No other lights come on. Given the age of the unit, my guess is it’s dead, but before I spend $200 on a replacement I just wanted to ask if anyone here had suggestions.

post by Thomas_Lerman on May 28, 2024

Not really sure. It does sound like possibly a dead unit or maybe a power supply that dies when power is being drawn from it, but I could be wrong. Just to check some things: is it a Rachio power adapter? If not, what the output specs: voltage, AC or DC, and amperage or wattage? How about posting a picture to see if anything looks obviously amiss? Also, can you measure the voltage after you plug it in while attached to the Rachio?