Troubleshooting
This guide covers common issues and their solutions. If you can’t find your answer here, contact support at support@optic.works.
Quick Diagnostics
Section titled “Quick Diagnostics”LED Status Reference
Section titled “LED Status Reference”| LED State | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Solid Blue | Normal operation | None needed |
| Pulsing Blue | Processing/detecting | Normal |
| Solid Green | Connected, idle | None needed |
| Flashing Green | Connecting to WiFi | Wait for connection |
| Solid Yellow | Firmware updating | Do not unplug |
| Flashing Yellow | Needs attention | Check app for details |
| Solid Red | Error state | See error codes below |
| Flashing Red | Critical error | Power cycle, contact support |
| Off | No power | Check power connection |
Error Codes
Section titled “Error Codes”When LED shows solid red, check the app for error code:
| Code | Meaning | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| E001 | WiFi connection lost | Check router, reconnect |
| E002 | MQTT broker unreachable | Verify broker settings |
| E003 | Sensor calibration invalid | Recalibrate |
| E004 | Radar module error | Power cycle, contact support |
| E005 | Camera module error | Power cycle, contact support |
| E006 | Storage full | Clear history, update firmware |
| E007 | Overheating | Improve ventilation |
| E008 | Firmware corrupt | Factory reset, reflash |
Setup Issues
Section titled “Setup Issues”Can’t Find RS-1 During Setup
Section titled “Can’t Find RS-1 During Setup”Symptoms: App doesn’t detect RS-1 during initial setup
Solutions:
-
Verify power:
- Check USB-C cable is fully connected
- Use included power adapter (5V 2A minimum)
- LED should light up within 5 seconds
-
Enable Bluetooth:
- Settings → Bluetooth → On
- Allow OpticWorks app Bluetooth access
-
Check proximity:
- Be within 3 meters of RS-1
- No walls between phone and device
-
Restart setup:
- Force close OpticWorks app
- Power cycle RS-1
- Reopen app and try again
-
Factory reset RS-1:
- Hold reset button for 10 seconds
- LED flashes rapidly, then solid blue
- Retry setup
WiFi Connection Fails
Section titled “WiFi Connection Fails”Symptoms: RS-1 can’t connect to your WiFi network
Solutions:
| Issue | Check | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong password | Caps lock, special characters | Re-enter carefully |
| 5GHz network | RS-1 is 2.4GHz only | Use 2.4GHz network |
| Hidden network | SSID not broadcast | Enable SSID or enter manually |
| Too far from router | Weak signal | Move closer or add extender |
| MAC filtering | Router blocks new devices | Add RS-1 MAC to allowed list |
| Network full | Too many devices | Remove unused devices |
Finding RS-1 MAC address:
- During setup, MAC shown on connection screen
- Or: Hold button for 5 sec → LED blinks MAC in morse (check serial with USB)
App Won’t Connect After Setup
Section titled “App Won’t Connect After Setup”Symptoms: Setup completed but app shows “Offline”
Solutions:
-
Same network:
- Ensure phone and RS-1 on same WiFi
- Corporate networks may isolate devices
-
Local network permission:
- iOS: Settings → OpticWorks → Local Network → On
-
Router settings:
- Enable mDNS/Bonjour
- Disable AP isolation/client isolation
-
Restart sequence:
- Power off RS-1 (30 sec)
- Force close app
- Power on RS-1
- Open app
Detection Issues
Section titled “Detection Issues”Not Detecting Presence
Section titled “Not Detecting Presence”Symptoms: Room shows empty when someone is there
Troubleshooting steps:
-
Check sensor view:
- Ensure nothing is blocking the sensor
- Clean lens with microfiber cloth
- Verify mounting angle includes detection area
-
Verify in test mode:
- Room → Test Mode
- Walk around room
- Check if radar dots appear
-
Increase sensitivity:
- Room → Sensor Settings → Detection Sensitivity
- Increase to 80-90%
- Test again
-
Check zones:
- Ensure person isn’t in exclusion zone
- Verify zone heights are correct
-
Recalibrate:
- Room Settings → Calibration Wizard
- Complete full calibration
Still not working?
| Situation | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Never detects | Hardware issue | Contact support |
| Intermittent | Interference | Change WiFi channel |
| Only misses corners | Limited coverage | Adjust mounting or add sensor |
| Misses still people | Sensitivity too low | Increase sensitivity |
False Positives (Ghost Detections)
Section titled “False Positives (Ghost Detections)”Symptoms: Shows occupied when room is empty
Common causes and solutions:
-
Reflective surfaces:
- Windows reflecting sunlight
- Large mirrors
- Metal surfaces
Solution: Add exclusion zones
-
Moving objects:
- Ceiling fans
- Curtains in draft
- Swinging plants
Solution: Add exclusion zones, lower sensitivity
-
HVAC:
- Air vents blowing
- Heating elements
Solution: Exclude vent areas
-
Electronic interference:
- Other radar devices
- Microwave ovens
- WiFi routers very close
Solution: Move RS-1 or interfering device
-
Pets:
- Dogs, cats can trigger detection
Solution: Add floor-level exclusion zone (0-0.5m height)
Detecting Pets
Section titled “Detecting Pets”Symptoms: Pets trigger presence detection
Solutions:
-
Height-based exclusion:
- Create exclusion zone from floor to pet height
- Usually 0m - 0.5m for cats/small dogs
- 0m - 0.7m for larger dogs
-
Lower sensitivity:
- Reduce to 50-60%
- Trade-off: may miss very still humans
-
Future: Pet detection filter (coming in firmware update)
Wrong Position Shown
Section titled “Wrong Position Shown”Symptoms: Detected position doesn’t match actual location
Solutions:
-
Verify sensor pose:
- Check 3D model shows sensor in correct position
- Recapture pose if wrong
-
Room model accuracy:
- If walls/furniture are wrong, rescan room
- Accurate room model = accurate positioning
-
Recalibrate:
- Room Settings → Calibration Wizard
- Walk test during calibration
Delayed Detection
Section titled “Delayed Detection”Symptoms: Takes too long to detect presence or absence
Solutions:
For slow presence detection:
- Lower movement threshold
- Increase sensitivity
- Check for obstructions
For slow absence detection:
- Reduce absence timeout (default 30 sec)
- Room → Sensor Settings → Absence Timeout
Connectivity Issues
Section titled “Connectivity Issues”Sensor Goes Offline Frequently
Section titled “Sensor Goes Offline Frequently”Symptoms: App shows offline, LED flashing
Solutions:
-
WiFi signal strength:
- Check RSSI in app (should be > -70 dBm)
- Move router closer or add extender
- Change WiFi channel to reduce interference
-
Router issues:
- Update router firmware
- Restart router
- Check DHCP lease time (increase if short)
-
Power issues:
- Use quality USB-C cable
- Use recommended power adapter
- Avoid USB hubs or weak sources
-
Network congestion:
- Too many devices
- High bandwidth usage
- Try prioritizing RS-1 in router QoS
MQTT Connection Drops
Section titled “MQTT Connection Drops”Symptoms: Home Assistant entities become unavailable
Solutions:
-
Broker stability:
- Check MQTT broker logs
- Restart Mosquitto/broker
- Verify broker has enough resources
-
Keep-alive:
- Increase MQTT keep-alive interval
- Sensor Settings → MQTT → Keep Alive → 60 seconds
-
Credentials:
- Verify username/password still valid
- Check for special characters causing issues
-
Network:
- Ensure RS-1 can reach broker IP
- Check firewall rules
HomeKit Not Responding
Section titled “HomeKit Not Responding”Symptoms: “No Response” in Apple Home
Solutions:
-
Same network:
- iPhone and RS-1 must be on same network
- Turn off VPN on phone
-
Home hub:
- Ensure Apple TV/HomePod is home hub
- Check hub is online
-
Reset HomeKit:
- RS-1 Settings → HomeKit → Reset
- Remove from Apple Home
- Re-pair
RoomPlan Issues
Section titled “RoomPlan Issues”Scan Won’t Start
Section titled “Scan Won’t Start”Symptoms: “Start Scan” button doesn’t work or app crashes
Requirements check:
- iPhone 12 Pro or newer (LiDAR required)
- iOS 17.0 or later
- Camera permission granted
Solutions:
- Force close and reopen app
- Restart iPhone
- Update iOS if available
- Reinstall OpticWorks app
Poor Scan Quality
Section titled “Poor Scan Quality”Symptoms: Walls missing, distorted room model
Solutions:
-
Lighting:
- Turn on all lights
- Open blinds for natural light
- LiDAR works in dark but camera helps
-
Scanning technique:
- Move slowly (walking speed)
- Keep phone 2-3 feet from walls
- Overlap scanned areas
- Pause at corners
-
Room complexity:
- Very large rooms need multiple scans
- Glass walls are hard to detect
- Mirrors cause issues - cover them
-
Rescan:
- Delete current model
- Start fresh with better technique
Sensor Pose Capture Fails
Section titled “Sensor Pose Capture Fails”Symptoms: Can’t capture RS-1 position in room model
Solutions:
-
Visibility:
- Ensure RS-1 is clearly visible
- Good lighting on sensor
- No obstructions
-
Distance:
- Stand 1-2 meters from RS-1
- Not too close, not too far
-
Camera access:
- Verify camera permission granted
- Clean phone camera lens
-
Retry:
- Different angle
- Different lighting
- Restart app and try again
App Issues
Section titled “App Issues”App Crashes
Section titled “App Crashes”Solutions:
- Force close and reopen
- Restart iPhone
- Update to latest app version
- Reinstall app (settings preserved in cloud)
Data Not Syncing
Section titled “Data Not Syncing”Symptoms: Changes don’t appear on other devices
Solutions:
- Check internet connection
- Pull down to refresh
- Sign out and sign in
- Check cloud sync is enabled
Notifications Not Working
Section titled “Notifications Not Working”Solutions:
- Settings → Notifications → OpticWorks → Allow
- Check Do Not Disturb is off
- Verify notifications enabled in app
- Check Focus modes aren’t blocking
Firmware Issues
Section titled “Firmware Issues”Update Fails
Section titled “Update Fails”Symptoms: Firmware update stuck or fails
Solutions:
-
Don’t unplug during update
-
Wait longer: Large updates take up to 10 minutes
-
Retry:
- Power cycle RS-1
- Open app
- Check for updates again
-
Manual update:
- Download firmware from support site
- Use USB-C to flash directly
- See hardwareOS documentation
Stuck in Boot Loop
Section titled “Stuck in Boot Loop”Symptoms: LED keeps cycling, never stable
Solutions:
-
Power cycle:
- Unplug for 60 seconds
- Replug
- Wait 2 minutes
-
Factory reset:
- Hold reset button 10 seconds
- Wait for LED pattern
-
Recovery mode:
- Hold reset while plugging in
- LED goes solid yellow
- Use recovery tool (see support site)
Hardware Issues
Section titled “Hardware Issues”LED Not Working
Section titled “LED Not Working”Symptoms: No LED at all, device seems dead
Check:
- Power cable connected?
- Using correct power adapter?
- Try different outlet
- Try different USB-C cable
If still no LED, device may be defective. Contact support.
Sensor Making Noise
Section titled “Sensor Making Noise”Symptoms: Clicking, buzzing, or high-pitched sound
Causes:
- Normal: Quiet hum from radar is normal
- Abnormal: Loud clicking or buzzing
Solutions:
- Check mounting is secure (no vibration)
- Verify ventilation not blocked
- If loud/persistent, contact support
Overheating
Section titled “Overheating”Symptoms: Device very hot to touch, or E007 error
Solutions:
- Ensure adequate ventilation
- Don’t mount in direct sunlight
- Don’t cover or enclose device
- Ambient temp should be under 35°C (95°F)
Performance Optimization
Section titled “Performance Optimization”Improve Detection Accuracy
Section titled “Improve Detection Accuracy”- Optimal mounting height: 2.0-2.5m
- Angle slightly downward (15-30°)
- Clear line of sight to detection areas
- Run calibration wizard monthly
Reduce False Positives
Section titled “Reduce False Positives”- Add exclusion zones for problem areas
- Lower sensitivity (start at 60%, increase if needed)
- Exclude floor level for pets
- Cover or exclude mirrors/reflective surfaces
Improve Response Time
Section titled “Improve Response Time”- Lower absence timeout for quick off
- Ensure strong WiFi signal
- Use wired ethernet if available (via adapter)
- Keep firmware updated
Factory Reset
Section titled “Factory Reset”When to factory reset:
- Device won’t connect
- Selling or giving away device
- Persistent unexplained issues
How to factory reset:
-
Via app:
- Sensor Settings → Advanced → Factory Reset
- Confirm
-
Via button:
- Hold reset button for 10+ seconds
- LED flashes rapidly
- Release when LED goes solid blue
After reset:
- All settings cleared
- WiFi credentials removed
- Need to re-setup from scratch
- Room model preserved in cloud (if signed in)
Getting Support
Section titled “Getting Support”Before Contacting Support
Section titled “Before Contacting Support”Gather this information:
- Device serial number (on bottom of RS-1)
- Firmware version (app → Sensor → About)
- App version (app → Settings → About)
- Description of issue
- Steps already tried
Support Channels
Section titled “Support Channels”| Channel | Response Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Email: support@optic.works | 24-48 hours | Non-urgent issues |
| Community: community.optic.works | Variable | Tips, community help |
| Knowledge Base: help.optic.works | Instant | Self-service articles |
Warranty Information
Section titled “Warranty Information”RS-1 includes a 2-year limited warranty covering:
- Manufacturing defects
- Hardware failures under normal use
Not covered:
- Physical damage
- Water damage
- Modified firmware
- Commercial/industrial use
For warranty claims, contact support with proof of purchase.
General
Section titled “General”Q: Does RS-1 record video? A: No. While RS-1 has a camera for sensor fusion, it does not record or transmit video. All processing is done locally on-device.
Q: Does RS-1 work without internet? A: Yes, core presence detection works locally. Internet required for: app remote access, firmware updates, cloud backup.
Q: How many people can RS-1 track? A: Up to 5 people simultaneously, though accuracy is best with 3 or fewer.
Q: What’s the detection range? A: Up to 6 meters radius, depending on mounting height and room layout.
Privacy
Section titled “Privacy”Q: What data does RS-1 collect? A: Presence data (occupied/empty, positions). No personally identifiable information, no video, no audio.
Q: Where is data stored? A: Locally on device and optionally in your private cloud account. We don’t access your data.
Q: Can I disable cloud sync? A: Yes. Settings → Privacy → Local Only Mode.
Compatibility
Section titled “Compatibility”Q: Does RS-1 work with Android? A: Currently iOS only. Android app planned for future release.
Q: What smart home systems work with RS-1? A: Home Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa (via Matter), and any MQTT-compatible system.
Q: Can I use multiple RS-1 sensors? A: Yes. Each sensor covers one room. The app supports unlimited sensors.
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”- Specifications - Technical details
- Integrations - Smart home setup
- Quick Start Guide - Initial setup