Govee Lights Not Connecting to App or Going Offline

Easy 10-15 minutes

If your Govee lights won't connect to the app, keep going offline, or won't sync properly, this guide covers the most common causes and fixes.

Govee Only Supports 2.4GHz WiFi

This is the most common cause of connection failures. Govee lights do not work on 5GHz networks.

If your router broadcasts both bands on the same name:

  1. Go into your router settings
  2. Create a separate 2.4GHz-only SSID
  3. Connect your phone to the 2.4GHz network
  4. Then set up the Govee lights

Govee states: "All Govee Wi-Fi strip lights work with 2.4G internet only. You should set a different SSID for the 2.4G Wi-Fi and 5G Wi-Fi if you have a dual-band router."

Basic Connection Troubleshooting

Before setup, check:

  • Your phone is on 2.4GHz WiFi (not 5GHz)
  • You're using the correct WiFi password
  • VPN is disabled on your phone
  • The lights are powered on and in pairing mode

Put lights in pairing mode:

  1. Turn on the lights
  2. Press and hold the power button on the controller for 3-5 seconds
  3. The lights should flash or change color to indicate pairing mode
  4. Check your specific model's manual for exact steps

Lights Keep Going Offline

If lights connect but frequently disconnect:

Check WiFi signal:

  • Move the control box closer to your router
  • The control box has a weak WiFi antenna—signal must be strong
  • Avoid placing behind furniture or in enclosed areas
  • Consider a WiFi extender if lights are far from router

Assign a static IP:

  1. Find the Govee device's MAC address in the app
  2. In your router settings, create a DHCP reservation
  3. This prevents IP address changes that can cause disconnections

Router settings to check:

  • Disable AP/Client isolation
  • Ensure 2.4GHz band isn't disabled or limited
  • Try disabling band steering
  • Check if too many devices are on your network

Remove and Re-add Lights

If lights are stuck in a bad state:

  1. In the Govee app, delete the device
  2. Unplug the light strip for at least 10 minutes
  3. Plug back in
  4. Put lights in pairing mode
  5. Add as a new device in the app

Factory Reset the Lights

For LED strip lights with a control box:

  1. Turn the lights on
  2. Press and hold the power button on the control box
  3. While holding power, press the middle button 4 times
  4. The lights should flash or change to indicate reset
  5. Release all buttons
  6. Set up as a new device

Note: Reset procedures vary by model. Check your specific product's manual.

Multiple Lights Not Syncing

If you have multiple Govee products that won't sync colors or effects:

Check group settings:

  1. Open the Govee app
  2. Verify all devices are in the same group
  3. Remove and re-add devices to the group if needed

Ensure same network:

  • All Govee devices must be on the same WiFi network
  • Different bands (2.4 vs 5GHz) can prevent syncing
  • Guest networks may not allow device-to-device communication

Restart all devices:

  1. Unplug all Govee lights
  2. Wait 30 seconds
  3. Plug them back in one at a time
  4. Wait for each to connect before powering the next

App Not Responding to Changes

If you adjust settings but nothing happens:

Clear app cache:

  • Android: Settings → Apps → Govee Home → Clear Cache
  • iOS: Delete and reinstall the app

Check connection:

  1. Make sure your phone is on the same WiFi as the lights
  2. Check if the device shows "Online" in the app
  3. Try controlling via Bluetooth if available (stand closer to lights)

Google Home/Alexa Integration Issues

If Govee lights show offline in Google Home or Alexa:

Relink your accounts:

  1. In Google Home/Alexa app, unlink Govee
  2. In Govee app, ensure lights are online
  3. Relink Govee to Google Home/Alexa
  4. Discover devices again

One user reported: "Deleting every device and re-adding them in the Govee Home App, then reconnecting the Govee account to Google Home" fixed their issue.

Bluetooth vs WiFi Control

Many Govee lights support both Bluetooth and WiFi:

  • Bluetooth: Works when phone is close to lights, no internet needed
  • WiFi: Works from anywhere, enables voice control and schedules

If WiFi won't connect, try controlling via Bluetooth first to verify the lights themselves work.

Firmware Updates

Outdated firmware can cause connectivity issues:

  1. Open Govee app
  2. Select your device
  3. Check for firmware updates in settings
  4. Install any available updates
  5. Keep lights powered during update

Power Supply Issues

Insufficient power can cause erratic behavior:

  • Use the included power adapter (don't substitute)
  • Ensure the adapter is fully plugged in
  • Check that the connector to the light strip is secure
  • Very long strips may need additional power injection

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