Why does my Shelly say pending conncetion?
The Shelly device is not connected to the internet, and therefore the Shelly server cannot communicate with the device.
There can be several reasons why the connection fails:
1. Incorrect Wi-Fi password
The Shelly device is unable to connect to your Wi-Fi and therefore cannot access the internet. As a result, it remains stuck on “pending connection.”
What to do:
Even if you’re sure you entered the right password — double-check.
Next time the app asks if you want to connect to this Wi-Fi, tap Edit, re-enter your password, and tap the eye icon to confirm it’s correct.
2. Your router uses the same name (SSID) for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
Many routers broadcast 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi under the same SSID. This can confuse devices like Shelly, which only support 2.4 GHz. Some routers even try to “help” by forcing devices onto 5 GHz — which Shelly cannot use.
What to do:
Log in to your router’s settings and separate the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands by giving them different names.
Most routers can be accessed from a browser by visiting:
192.168.0.1
192.168.1.1
10.0.0.1
(Check your router’s manual for details.)
3. Weak Wi-Fi signal
If your phone or the Shelly device is too far from the router, the signal may be too weak for a stable connection.
What to do:
Make sure you’re close to the Shelly device and that your phone has a strong connection to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
4. Cloud is disabled on the device
If the “Cloud connection” has been turned off — for example via the app — the device will no longer communicate with the Shelly server.
What to do:
Access the device’s web interface using its IP address (see guide here),
then go to Settings → Cloud → Enable Cloud and make sure it’s turned on.
5. Still not working? Try this:
- Factory reset the Shelly by holding the button for 10 seconds until the LED blinks.
- Connect directly to the Shelly’s web interface and configure the Wi-Fi manually. Guide here
6. Advanced Router Settings
There are several advanced network configurations that may prevent your Shelly from connecting properly:
- Firewall blocking outbound traffic:
Some routers have a firewall that blocks outgoing connections from new or unknown devices, preventing your Shelly from accessing the internet. - VPN or custom DNS settings:
If your router uses a VPN or custom DNS configuration, it may interfere with the Shelly’s ability to connect to Shelly Cloud or resolve hostnames. - IP address conflict:
If another device on the network is already using the same IP address the router tries to assign to the Shelly, it may cause an IP conflict and prevent a proper connection. - Captive portal networks:
Public or guest Wi-Fi networks that require you to sign in or accept terms via a web browser (known as a captive portal) will block Shelly devices from connecting, since they cannot interact with browser-based login pages.