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Troubleshooting Guide

This guide helps you solve common issues with your MyStation e-paper departure board.

WiFi & Network Issues​

Cannot Connect to MyStation WiFi Access Point​

Symptoms:

  • MyStation-XXXXXXXX network not visible
  • Can't join configuration WiFi

Solutions:

  1. Wait for startup (30-60 seconds after power on)

    • Device needs time to boot

  2. Check WiFi band

    • ⚠️ MyStation only works with 2.4 GHz WiFi
    • If your phone is set to "5 GHz only", change to "Auto" or "2.4 GHz"
    • Some phones hide 2.4 GHz networks by default

  3. Try different device

    • Use different phone/computer
    • Some devices have WiFi compatibility issues

  4. Charge Battery

    • Low battery may prevent WiFi AP from starting
    • Connect USB power or charge battery

Cannot Connect MyStation to Home WiFi​

Symptoms:

  • Configuration page shows "Failed to connect to WiFi"
  • Device keeps restarting
  • Can't complete WiFi setup

Solutions:

  1. Verify WiFi network is 2.4 GHz

    • ⚠️ Critical: MyStation only supports 2.4 GHz networks
    • 5 GHz networks are not supported (high energy consumption)
    • Check your router settings
    • Many routers have separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz SSIDs
    • Look for network names like "MyNetwork-2.4G" or "MyNetwork"

  2. Check WiFi password

    • Verify password is correct (case-sensitive)
    • Watch for special characters
    • Try typing password in notes app first, then copy/paste

  3. Check WiFi signal strength

    • Move device closer to router
    • Ensure no thick walls or metal objects blocking signal
    • Signal strength should be at least -70 dBm

  4. Router compatibility

    • supports: WPA/WPA2 Personal
    • NOT supported: WPA3, WPA2 Enterprise
    • Check router security settings

  5. Disable WiFi features

    • Turn off AP Isolation
    • Disable Client Isolation
    • Enable DHCP
    • Allow new device connections

  6. Check MAC address filtering

    • If enabled on router, add MyStation's MAC address
    • MAC address shown in serial monitor during boot

Device Connects but Can't Access Internet​

Symptoms:

  • WiFi shows connected
  • Display doesn't update
  • "Failed to fetch data" errors

Solutions:

  1. Check internet connection

    • Verify router has internet access
    • Test with other devices

  2. Check firewall settings

    • Router firewall might block HTTPS requests
    • Whitelist MyStation's IP
    • Allow outbound connections on ports 80, 443

  3. DNS issues

    • Router might have DNS problems
    • Check serial monitor for DNS resolution errors

mDNS Not Working (Can't Access mystation.local)​

Symptoms:

  • http://mystation.local doesn't work
  • "Server not found" error

Solutions:

  1. Use IP address instead

    • Check serial monitor for device IP
    • Use http://192.168.1.XXX directly

  2. Network configuration

    • mDNS requires multicast support
    • Some routers block mDNS
    • Try on different network

Display Issues​

Display Not Updating​

Symptoms:

  • E-paper shows old data
  • Display never refreshes
  • Stuck on initial screen

Solutions:

  1. Push Reset button
  2. Check WiFi connection
    • Verify device connects to 2.4 GHz WiFi
  3. Charge Battery

Display Has "Ghost" Images​

Symptoms:

  • Previous image still faintly visible
  • Overlapping images

Solutions:

  1. This is normal for e-paper

    • E-paper displays can show ghosting
    • Periodic full refresh reduces this

  2. Enable/verify full refresh

    • Code should do full refresh periodically
    • Full refresh clears ghosts

  3. Display wearing out

    • E-paper has limited refresh cycles
    • Ghosting increases with age
    • ~10,000-100,000 full refreshes typical

Power & Battery Issues​

Battery Drains Too Quickly​

Solutions:

  1. Increase update interval

    • Change from 5 to 10 or 15 minutes
    • Doubles/triples battery life
    • Still provides current information

  2. Enable sleep schedule

    • Configure quiet hours (e.g., 23:00-06:00)
    • Save power overnight
    • See web configuration interface

  3. Check WiFi strength

    • Weak signal uses more power
    • Move closer to router
    • Consider WiFi range extender

  4. Reduce display complexity

    • Weather-only mode uses less data
    • Fewer API calls = less power

  5. Battery health

    • Replace if battery damaged/old

Device Won't Power On​

Symptoms:

  • No LED when plugged in
  • Completely dead
  • Won't charge

Solutions:

  1. Try different USB cable

    • Some cables are charge-only (no data)
    • Try known-good cable

  2. Try different power source

    • Different USB port
    • Different charger
    • Computer USB vs wall adapter

  3. Disconnect battery

    • Test with USB power only
    • Battery fault might prevent boot

  4. Hardware failure

    • Board may be damaged
    • Replace or repair

Factory Reset Button Not Working​

Symptoms:

  • Hold Button 1 for 5 seconds, nothing happens
  • No factory reset occurs

Solutions:

  1. Timing is critical
    • Continue holding for full 5 seconds
    • Count slowly: 1-Mississippi, 2-Mississippi...

Configuration Issues​

Can't Access Configuration Page​

Symptoms:

  • Can't load http://10.0.1.1 or http://mystation.local
  • Page won't load
  • Connection timeout

Solutions:

  1. Verify connected to correct WiFi

    • In config mode: Connect to MyStation-XXXXXXXX
    • In normal mode: Same network as MyStation

  2. Check device mode

    • Config mode: Use http://10.0.1.1
    • Normal mode: Use device IP or http://mystation.local

  3. Clear browser cache

    • Hard refresh: Ctrl+Shift+R (PC) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac)
    • Try different browser
    • Try incognito/private mode

No Nearby Stops Found​

Symptoms:

  • Configuration page shows "No stops found"
  • Can't select transport station

Solutions:

  1. Verify location

    • MyStation uses Google Geolocation
    • Verify internet connection

  2. Check RMV coverage

    • RMV covers German public transport
    • Must be in Germany or covered area
    • Try manual location entry

Settings Don't Save​

Symptoms:

  • Change settings, but they reset
  • Configuration reverts after restart

Solutions:

  1. Click "Save" button

    • Must explicitly save
    • Look for confirmation message

  2. NVS storage full

    • Rare, but possible
    • Try factory reset
    • Clears old data

  3. NVS write errors

    • Check serial monitor for errors
    • May indicate flash memory issue

  4. Power loss during save

    • Don't disconnect power while saving
    • Wait for confirmation message

Data & API Issues​

Weather Data Not Showing​

Symptoms:

  • Display shows "---" for weather
  • Temperature missing
  • Weather icon blank

Solutions:

  1. Check location configured

    • Weather requires valid coordinates
    • Verify in configuration page

  2. DWD API access

    • Check internet connection
    • Verify DWD service online
    • Serial monitor shows API errors

  3. Location outside Germany

    • DWD covers Germany only
    • Won't work in other countries
    • Consider alternative weather API

  4. Wait for next update

    • Data might be loading
    • Check update interval setting
    • Monitor serial output

Transport Departures Not Showing​

Symptoms:

  • No departures listed
  • Empty departure board
  • Only weather shows

Solutions:

  1. Check station configured

    • Must select transport stop
    • Verify in configuration page

  2. RMV API access

    • Check internet connection
    • Verify RMV API key
    • Check API limits not exceeded

  3. No departures available

    • Late night/early morning
    • Check if service actually running
    • Try different time of day

  4. Transport filter too restrictive

    • Check which transport types enabled
    • Enable more types (Bus, Tram, S-Bahn, etc.)

Check Documentation​

Report Issues​

If you found a bug:

  • Check GitHub issues for similar problems
  • Create new issue with details
  • Include serial monitor output
  • Describe steps to reproduce

Remember: Most issues are related to WiFi (2.4 GHz only!), wiring, or configuration. Start with the basics and work through systematically.