 Red (Ethernet) light blinks in sets of 3 within 30 seconds of being plugged in
This means that the standard gateway has an IP address but cannot connect to the server:
Power Cycle the Gateway
- Unplug the a/c cord from the gateway for 10 seconds.
- Do not touch the gray gateway button.
- Plug the a/c cord into the gateway.
If the Red (Ethernet) light starts blinking in sets of 4 within the first 30 seconds, Register your Gateway here.
If the 3 blinks continue, perform a Factory Reset next.
Reminder: If you have previously registered the gateway, you must delete any associated devices and the gateway from your Weather Direct account before the reset.
Gateway Factory Reset (after delete from website)
- Unplug the a/c power for 10 seconds. Press and Hold the gray button on the gateway before plugging the a/c power in again.
- Continue to hold the gray button for 30 seconds after inserting the a/c power cord.
- The Red Ethernet light will come on after about 10 seconds (continue holding), then go off for about 10 seconds, then come back on again.
- When the second red light appears, you can release the gray button. (We are not concerned about the green RF data light at this time.)
Note: Within 30 seconds the Red Ethernet light should flash in sets of 4 blinks, pause, 4 blinks pause, etc.
If it takes longer then 30 seconds to get to 4 blinks, you probably have a false positive reading, are not connecting and cannot register. The gateway will go to 4 blinks (with a default IP address) if given enough time.
Return to the Factory Reset section above. Count the lights again and if the steps failed, continue on.
Verify DNS Services
If the power cycle and/or factory reset do not bring the red gateway light to 4 blinks, then you need to verify your DNS resolution capability:
- Open a command prompt window (commands shown are for Windows systems).
- Type the command nslookup box.weatherdirect.com at the c:\> prompt and press the return key.
- On about the 3rd & 4th lines, you should see Name: box.weatherdirect.com and Address: 63.239.62.14.
The nslookup command must find our address in an internet DNS (Domain Name Services) server before registration will work. DNS is like a big address book of servers on the internet. Most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) do an analysis of DNS servers to determine how to achieve the fastest search times for your area and assign it to your service. Most PCs use a setting "Obtain DNS Server address automatically", but your ISP usually enables a preferred one.
- You may contact your ISP and say, "An NSLookup on my PC, attached to your internet service, is not finding the DNS service I need. As an example box.weatherdirect.com is supposed to find the IP 63.239.62.14".
- If they do not adjust your service, you may review the advanced DNS resolution suggestions in Appendix F of the Registration Guide (PDF).
Set a Gateway Static IP
Some users have resolved 3 blinks by setting a static IP on the gateway. (Users on non-windows systems need to find a PC for this solution - changes will stay unless you factory reset the gateway):
- Download the Gateway Advanced Setup software
- Run the Gateway_Advanced_Setup.exe file. It should find the gateway and the Gateway Advanced Setup box should be full of numbers.
- If the box is all 0’s you will need to temporarily disable your firewalls to view the gateway. NOTE: This software runs only on Windows XP/SP3, Vista/SP2 or Windows 7/SP1.
- Look at the Serial number (grayed out) and confirm it is the same number as on the back of your gateway.
- Find the Actual IP (grayed out) and type that address into a browser address bar (Ex: 192.168.18.250).
- A blue screen should appear with statistics of the gateway.
- Write down what the Data Server IP is.
- Write down what the Last Contact is. If it is anything other than “None”, it has contacted our server.
The resolution of 3 blinks is a slightly more difficult resolution. If the Data Server IP is blank, or your resolution attempts above fail, please contact Technical support and include:
- Make and model of your Router
- Make and model of your Modem
- Your Internet Service provider
- Weather Direct® User Name on the website
- Gateway Serial number (8-digits)
- Data Server IP address
- Your complete contact information
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