Trap Offline or Won't Connect

If your trap shows offline, will not connect, or does not respond to commands, the most common causes are low battery, hibernation, a loose battery connection, weak cellular signal, or the trap still trying to connect.

OcuTrap connects primarily through 4G LTE cellular service. The trap does not need local Wi-Fi for normal operation. Poor cellular coverage can prevent the trap from connecting or receiving commands.

The LED light is the fastest way to see what the trap is doing. Work through the steps below in order.

Quick Checklist

1. Make sure the battery is charged.
2. Unplug and reconnect the yellow battery connector.
3. Press the power button once to wake the trap.
4. Check the LED color or blink pattern.
5. Move the trap to an area with better cellular signal if needed.
6. Refresh the app or dashboard and check the trap's Last Activity.
7. If still offline, send Support the LED pattern, Trap ID, and a screenshot of the error.

Step 1: Check the Battery

A low or disconnected battery is one of the most common reasons a trap appears offline.

1. Disconnect and reconnect the yellow battery connector.
2. Make sure the connector is fully seated — it should click into place without forcing.
3. If the battery may be low, charge it using the charger that came with your trap.
   • The charger light turns red while charging and green when charged.
4. A very low battery can cause the trap to shut down or fail to connect.

After reconnecting the battery, press the power button once and watch the LED.

For more on battery care and charging, see the Battery FAQ.

Step 2: Wake the Trap From Hibernation

If the trap has been unarmed and idle, it may have entered hibernation to save power. In hibernation:

• There may be no LED.
• The trap cannot send notifications or receive commands from the app.

To wake the trap:

1. Press the power button once.
2. Wait a few minutes for the trap to reconnect.

Note: If the trap is armed, it may use an offline or sleep mode and check in with the cloud periodically instead of staying connected all the time. Allow time for the next check-in before assuming the trap is fully offline.

For a deeper explanation of power states, see Power Modes.

Step 3: Read the LED Status

Use the table below to interpret what the trap is doing. If the LED never turns on after a charged battery is connected and the power button is pressed, contact OcuTrap Support.

LED Pattern	What It Usually Means	What To Do
Breathing cyan	Connected and online	Refresh the app and try the command again
Fast blinking cyan	Connecting to the cloud	Wait a few minutes
Blinking green	Looking for cellular/internet connection	Move to better cellular coverage
Blinking magenta	Firmware update or safe mode activity	Leave powered on and wait
Rapid red blinks	Powering down — the power button is being held	Release the power button within ~3 seconds to cancel, or let it finish and press power again to restart
Solid red during boot	Battery too low at startup	Charge or replace the battery
No light	Powered off, hibernating, no battery, or failed boot	Reconnect battery and press power button

For a full list of LED patterns — including door and arm/unarm indicators — see the LED Guide.

Step 4: Check Cellular Coverage

OcuTrap depends on cellular signal to send and receive commands. Metal buildings, garages, basements, dense structures, and remote areas can weaken or block signal.

If the LED is blinking green for a long time, the trap may not have enough cellular coverage where it is placed.

1. Move the trap outdoors or to a more open area.
2. Give it a few minutes to search for signal and reconnect.
3. The trap may reconnect automatically once signal improves.

Step 5: Check the App or Dashboard

1. Confirm the trap appears in your account.
2. Open the trap settings or control panel.
3. Check Last Activity or last heard time.
4. Tap refresh or request latest data if that option is available.
5. Confirm you are viewing the correct Trap ID (the serial number from the POD label, shown in the app after registration).

If the trap was recently added, make sure the Trap ID in the app matches the serial number on the label inside the POD. See Adding a trap to your account.

Step 6: Inspect Connections

1. Make sure the yellow battery connector is secure.
2. Make sure the POD is closed and latched.
3. If instructed by Support, check that the antenna connections are seated.
4. Do not force connectors or open internal components unless Support instructs you to.

Step 7: When Commands Do Not Reach the Trap

If the trap is offline, hibernating, or between check-ins, commands from the app may fail or show an error message.

Recommended actions:

1. Wake the trap with the power button.
2. Wait for the LED to become breathing cyan.
3. Retry the command.
4. If the trap is armed and offline, allow time for the next check-in before trying again.

For more on command failures specifically, see Trap Not Sending Commands.

What To Send OcuTrap Support

If the issue continues, email support@ocutrap.com with as much of the following as you can:

• Trap ID
• Screenshot of the app error message
• LED color or pattern (or note if there is no LED at all)
• Whether the battery was recently charged
• Approximate location type — for example: indoors, garage, field, metal building, wooded area
• Last Activity time shown in the app
• Any recent weather, battery change, or impact/transport

Safety Note

Before handling the trap, keep hands and fingers clear of the door path. The door can close quickly when the trap reconnects or receives a command.

Still Offline?

If the trap remains offline after checking the battery, waking the device, and confirming cellular coverage, contact OcuTrap Support with the details above so we can review the device status and help determine the next step.