The smart watering features on the B-hyve unit help users better manage the water supply to the plants while also minimizing wastage.
As long as you’ve managed the configurations well, your sprinklers won’t turn on during rain, and they will deliver the perfect amount of water to the plants each time.
So, make sure to experiment with different configurations, and you will find the perfect settings for your yard.
With that said, there have been a few complaints about the B-hyve smart watering not working. So, if you’re also having issues with the smart watering features, then the following list of solutions should help you get ahead of these issues.
How To Fix B-hyve Smart Watering Not Working?
- Update Firmware
The primary reason why you might be running into issues with the smart watering system is outdated firmware on your unit.
So, if you haven’t updated the firmware after purchasing the device, then that is probably why you’re running into problems with the smart watering on your system.
Luckily, it only takes a few minutes to update the firmware, and the smart watering should start working after the firmware has been updated.
You will have to directly access the settings of your Orbit B-hyve to verify that you’re on the latest version.
After that, you can wait for the next watering cycle, and it should work without any issues. However, if you’re having issues with updating the firmware, then you can always reach out to customer support regarding this issue.
They will help you narrow down the problem, and you won’t have to spend hours in the troubleshooting process.
So, make sure to contact experts if you’re unable to update the firmware to the latest version. That’ll speed up the process, and the watering features will start working.
- Check Configurations
If you’re sure that the firmware is updated, there is a good chance that you’re dealing with configuration problems with the unit.
Setting more than one start timer can create some issues with the feature where none of the zones will operate until the programming has been fixed.
So, you need to go through the configurations again and make use of the instructions on the owner’s manual to get everything fixed.
The configurations for this unit are a bit complicated, and there is a possibility that you’ll be running into some issues if you’re new to this smart unit.
You can reach out to local experts or contact someone from tech support. They will guide you through the setup process, and you won’t have to worry about missing any crucial steps.
After the programming has been fixed, you can wait for the next day, and the smart watering will start working.
Sometimes, you can run into this problem because of wiring issues or a defective solenoid. So, try to test the wiring with a multimeter to make sure that you’re not in the same situation.
If the wiring is indeed defective, then you need to either claim the warranty or replace the defective solenoid to get the system working again.
- Check Water Pressure
The issues with the smart watering system are not always related to the programming or the firmware of your smart device. It is not that rare for users to run into pressure issues with the water supply attached to the sprinkler system.
Most of the time, if the water pressure is too much or the shut-off valve is cut off, then you’ll run into similar problems with the smart watering features. So, you’ll have to inspect the water supply to isolate the problem.
Ideally, bringing down the water pressure by a little margin should get everything working again. However, if there is some issue with the master valve, then you’ll have to unclog or replace the valve to get the system working again.
4. Connect Via BlueTooth
Most people tend to connect their B-hyve through Wi-Fi since that is more easily accessible, while also being a much more modern option compared to BlueTooth.
However, the latter is definitely much better when it comes to pairing, as that’s the entire purpose of BlueTooth in the first place.
That’s why we advise you try fixing this issue by pairing the device with BlueTooth instead, as it could be a Wi-Fi issue. If you’re not sure how to go about this process, follow these quick steps to get it done:
- First things first, make sure that your timer is in pairing mode. This will be shown through a BlueTooth icon flashing on and off on the display.
- Once you’re in the app, tap the option that says “this is a new device”.
- Select the option that shows the specific B-hyve product you are trying to set up. Don’t worry if you are not sure about your device’s specific model. The application will display photos which will make them much easier to find.
- The app will start to look for the B-hyve device you’re trying to pair.
- After taking a few moments to finalize the pairing, a MAC ID will be displayed. Confirm if this is the correct one on your device by tapping “this matches my device”.
- Now, here is the tricky part. The device will automatically look for Wi-Fi at first. You’re going to want to make sure that no such signals are nearby.
- Once it doesn’t find any Wi-Fi signals, it will automatically connect to BlueTooth instead.
After you follow these few simple steps, the system should start working better. If you’re having trouble following these steps and need an even more practical example, you could try following this official guide from orbit instead:
5. App Issues
Sometimes, these problems have more to do with the B-hyve app than they have to do with the actual system. In such a case, there’s not much you can do other than give the app a figurative shake by deleting it and reinstalling it to see if that works.
We would recommend deleting the B-hyve application and then restarting your phone before reinstalling it. Now, unplug the control box entirely for at least a minute before powering it back on.
Get everything set up again on the app (this should be fairly quick if you’ve already done it once). Now give it a try and the device should be working.
6. Check The Voltage
As with any other electrical device, voltage issues will render most features moot. If nothing else so far worked out and you want to get rid of the issue once and for all, we would recommend giving the voltage a quick read.
Maybe the B-hyve is getting inconsistent power which is causing serious problems that need to be tended to before there is an even bigger issue for you to deal with.
A good way to test issues like this would be to interchange wires. If only a specific zone isn’t working, take a wire from a zone that’s working normally and put it there. That should confirm your suspicions, and you can get the issue fixed by an expert.
Alternatively, if no zone is working, you should contact said experts immediately and have them take a look as it is likely out of your hands to fix this.
All in all, these are a few things that you need to keep in mind if the B-hyve smart watering is not working.
However, if nothing here has worked out, it is always best to seek help from professionals if you wish to save time and get the unit working again as soon as possible.
It appears that when I am maintaining the system and use TEST the controller counts the short test as a full cycle so the controller thinks it has already watered that zone? Is this true and if so how do you get around it?
Stopped working just after a couple of months. Absolute worst customer service, can’t get a hold of any support reps. Never will purchase an Orbit product again.
Wow, after reading all these comments I think Im going to return my unit back to the store. I can’t even get mine to turn on, and so I Googled and here I am. I made the purchase to save myself time, but it sounds like it takes more time to get/keep it working instead.
I have B-have xd that won’t hold my programs and creates and stores unnamed programs all the time. It used to work on my iPhone 6, then needed a later iOS version. After working on an iPhone 8, it just stopped holding my programs. Guess I’ve been left behind.
there should be a way to turn off the rain sensor
On the actual unit press and hold the rain delay button for about 4 seconds. The screen will then show sensor. If I remember correctly after the SENS shows on the screen one push of the button turns it on and another push turns it off.
also there may be a small wire jumped to the rain sensor and 24v.
Pull out 1 of the leads and that can also turn off the automatic sensor.
My b-hyve worked great last year, now I am having issues. The auto rain delay does not work and I can no longer stop the watering from the app. I have to turn the whole system off from the physical box. When I put it in manual rain delay, it still says watering will begin that day and I’m unsure if it actually delayed or not. I thought it was an app issue so paid for the pro app, still having the same problems. I chose this system so I wouldn’t have to worry about watering/over watering while out of town, now I come home to soggy landscaping.
Same here Crystal. I have escalated to troubleshooting with orbit but still no resolution. Running 0051 firmware version. Not sure where to go from here as it used to work flawlessly but now when it pours rain at my home the sprinkler still continues to water same day right after rain. ???
Same exact problem. Worked great for a couple of years. Lately I have to unplug the unit or it will operate regardless of any delay I set.
I tried to contact Orbit, but to my great disappointment they don’t bother to answer or call back, not even via email.
Same issue here, the app has been working fine for over a year and now it doesn’t seem to get times right.
– It does not show when it is working so there is no possibility to stop it.
– Rain delays do not apply properly (e.g. 3 days delay is on, but still next watering is tomorrow).
– Also notifications on the app do not always show a message so sometimes you don’t know if a program has finished or if the device is disconnected.
It is very disappointing that there is no answers from customer service.
Same issue with manual watering. No response from customer service.
I really want to like this system, but it is simply not worth the headaches. I’m experiencing all of the problems listed here. I have 10 units, but only about three work. I”ve had enough!
7/15/22
“Device is taking too long to respond”. I have had this problem on and off for c couple of months now. It worked for a while after I reset the devices including the hub. Today nothing worked for me. So I replaced all the rechargeable batteries, and all devices are working now. It appears that the rechargeable batteries don’t work well with these devices.
Connecting via Bluetooth rather than wifi fixed the issue for me. I would agree, seems like a bug on the wifi connection to the unit. My issue started around the same time others stated on this thread.
Same problems! This is my third summer with this controller, and it has always worked flawlessly. My sprinkler system suddenly stopped working properly in early June, while on vacation. “Taking too long to respond”. That is true even when my phone is within 5 feet of the controller box. Sprinklers start a cycle, then stop mid-cycle. I have the newest firmware, uninstalled and reinstalled my app, changed from 5mhz to 2.4 mhz on my phone, connection download/upload speeds are “poor” at 145/153 Mbps. Fix the software !!!! You had a great product until someone came up with a better idea?
and add another one to this list. Cannot water manually, as I receive the ‘Device is taking too long to respond’ error. It actually does turn on, but for about 5 seconds and bacl off. Looking at the unit outside, I can see it go from Manual back to automatic after that 5 seconds. Firmware is up to date. Reset internet connection. Full signal strength.
Waiting for support to call me back, as I don’t want to reset and lose all my Programs. Even then, Resetting may not cure the issue.
Same issue! I was going nuts why the the zone would turn off after 5-10 seconds. Did you get a response back from support?
Noticed the problem this morning after I was trying to update the WIFI. Noticed a scheduled program has been running an hour late so decided to reset it. Did not have the password handy so waited till later and received an error msg that I was not connected. As soon as I reconnected and tried to run a manual watering to test the sprinklers I was working on I received the msg “taking too long”. Tried several zones manually and some worked and others did not. Tried updating the WIFI again. Checked the latest firmware version and it is up to date. Continued to test and after awhile all zones worked with manual watering. No rhyme, no reason. Maybe sporadic internet connection?
I reinstalled my b-hyve timer and hub because I could no longer water manually or automatically. The battery was stuck at 48%. I replaced the battery and it still stayed stuck at 48%. So I reset the devices. Now I can program the zones, but it still will not run. I try to water manually and it still will not run. It used to work. I’m really frustrated. The only way I can water it to use the button on the timer to open the valve. Help!
Same thing happens to me. I was only able to fix it by connecting my device via bluetooth rather than wifi. When I’m done, it ends up going back to wifi, so if I have to water manually again I need go into devices, select the timer, and change it to connect via Bluetooth. A real pain.
This seems to be a bug that was released in a recent firmware update. Keep complaining or write the company. The more they know about the issue the quicker they may release a patch. Don’t expect a quick fix from b-hyve. Software companies usually only address bugs every few weeks or months. LOL to the guy above that wants to throw his b-hyve away.
Customer service NEVER responds. Several phone messages and two texts. Nothing.
Same here
Same here
Really frustrated. Often disconnects on manual watering. “Device taking too long to respond”. Tried everything…reset wifi, phone, controller. Connected phone and unit to same network (2.4 vs 5.0). Ran Orbitz test app. Says connection “Poor” due to low upload speed (8Mbps) when Speedtest says 15! Firmware current. Nothing fixes this. This never happened last year! Next steps??…gonna try deleting/reinstalling app and start over clean. If that doesn’t work??…rip unit from wall and toss in trash can. :-(. Any other suggestions out there??
Mine is doing the same exact thing. Just started happening recently.
Same. Wondering if it’s a problem with the cloud service between the app and the device. Started recently.
Mine doing the same thing too. Just started happening a couple weeks ago (middle of June 2022). When I try to manually water the sprinklers start just fine, but then the app say it’s taking too long to respond and the sprinklers immediately shut off. Very frustrating. Kind of defeats half the purpose of the setup!! DEFINITELY something wrong with the latest iteration of the app and I wish B-Hyve would address the issue.
I had the same experience. The fix that worked for me was 1. Delete the B-Hyve application on the iphone completely (delete app, then shut down). 2. Download the current B-Hyve app from the App Store. I noticed the new app has a slightly different appearance then before. 3. Login with your credentials.
Unfortunately I did this, and the app actually got worse than it was before. It worked better on the old version of the app and I can’t go back to it.
Same thing has happened to me….Just overseeded my lawn and the manual mode is a key feature I need. All of a sudden it doesn’t work. Now I have to create a program to water the new section every couple of hours. Sounds like this is a systemic issue on the Bhyve unit.
I held the reset button until screen completely cleared. Then reinstalled app. I knew it was a full reset because I had to recreate all my watering programs and schedules. Since doing this my manual watering now works again without error messages or shutting off. My wifi had to be reset and since doing so my wifi signal strength has never been better.
My B-hyve XR is watering fine, but some days I am not seeing the Gallons measurements in my Watering History. I have it synched with my Flume flow meter- the Flume is showing the water used, but the B-hyve App isn’t. On other days it works fine, but the App keeps defaulting to the “Runtime” data rather than “Gallons”. Anyone else seeing this?
I get a “Device is taking too long to respond” warning on my phone after trying to manually water a zone.
I did it a second time while watching the zone and the water comes on for approx. 5 seconds, goes back off and the warning pops up on my phone. It does it to all 11 zones I have connected on my 12 zone system.
I’ve already unplugged the controller for 30 seconds and that did not help. Wifi signal is strong.
Any clues?
I am having the same issue!
I have the exact same problem. I’m not able to manual test zone 3, when i try it instantly pops up message its finished but nothing ever happens. Then a couple weeks later zone 5 comes on for about 5 seconds then goes off and says its complete on app. Is this a controller issue?
Any response from customer service? I can’t get them to call or text me back.
I’m having the same issue. Did you find a solution?
I have the same problem!
Same issue for us. Wifi steering suddenly does not work. No response from customer service.
I experienced the same issue. My iphone B-Hyve app displayed the “Device is taking too long to respond” message randomly when I manually watered any zones. The firmware on my Orbit controllers is rev 0087. The fix that worked for me was 1. Delete the B-Hyve application on the iphone completely (delete app, then shut down). 2. Download the current B-Hyve app from the App Store. I noticed the new app has a slightly different appearance then before. 3. Login with your credentials. All the timers and zone info reload from the server automatically. I am able to water manually now, without the “Device is taking too long to respond” message.
The history on my B-hyve is always blank and I know watering has occurred on all zones.
Me too. No data at all
Hooked this up to a 3/4 full 325 gallon ibc tote. I just installed the b-hyve and connected via bluetooth connection. Updated the firmware, confirmed water flows freely from the spigot. Water barely trickles out of the b-hyve when testing. After reading the comments, I believe the flow restriction on the device from the manufacture is the issue.
Same here! No water history even watering has occurred.
My system was working earlier and now the system says it ran, but none of my zones activate. I checked the water at each valve and I can manually turn the valves on. What else should I check and how?
Have the Same issue… it works only on manualy
Hi, i think i solved your problem. Whenever station makes an automatic update, the central software switched to sensor on. Turn ist off! …how? … push the rain button inside the station for 5 sec. And the turn the sensor off. Mine now is still working.
Greets From italy
…considering that there‘s no rain sensor
In the case you have no rain sensor you have to Turn it off. Push rain button inside the central for 5 sec and then Turn it off. Mine now works again.
Greets From italy
I’m getting an error message that says” Smart watering is suspended due to the rain sensor”. There is no rain forecast for another 2 days and the temperatures will be in the mid-90s until then. It has been hot and dry here in northern CA for the past week and the history is not showing any watering during that time. Please advise me as to what the problem is and update your system so that it tells customers what they need to do and not just some vague message. If the rain sensor is failing…tell me so…
My b-hyve is connected to the 2.4 wifi channel. The minute I enable 5.0 it disconnects.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Most IoT devices run better on 2.4 GHZ. 5.0 does not work in most cases. Try keeping your IoT devices on 2.4 and then surf on 5.0.
I just watched my sprinklers go through 3 entire cycles. However, the B-Hyve XR app is not showing that the watering happened under the “Zones” and then “Watering Events”. Is there some trick to getting it to update, or to see what it’s doing?
I have the same problem. Watering history does not work.
Same problem here. Unit has run multiple times under custom program, smartwater program, and manually. No report of any of those operations.
Well, I hope that’s what mine is doing. Better than just not watering…
Just installed and water pressure is too low. Pressure was fine on the device I had prior to b-hyve. Thoughts?
Having the same issue. 4 Sprinklers shooting half as far and some not even rotating with lack of pressure.
The b-hyve has a restriction on from manufacture to save water. If pressure is low check to see that you have nothing ( Teflon tape/ pieces of rubber washers) obstructing your outside faucet bib! Hope this helps
my system is not working it says low battery power
where do i change the battery on controller
the plastic pull out tray on the side