Troubleshooting Bluetooth Wio Tracker L1

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Chad Walter

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Dec 27, 2025, 11:10:01 PM12/27/25
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Troubleshooting Bluetooth (BLE) issues on the Seeed Wio Tracker (especially the L1 or 1110 Dev Kit) is a common hurdle due to its specific nRF52840 architecture.

Here are the steps to resolve the most common connection issues:

1. The "Forget & Re-pair" Protocol (Most Effective)

The Meshtastic app often struggles if the device was previously paired but the encryption keys are now out of sync.

  • On your phone: Go to the system Bluetooth settings and "Forget" or "Unpair" any device named Meshtastic_xxxx or Tracker L1.

  • In the App: Clear the device list in the Meshtastic app and restart the app.

  • Re-pair: Try to connect through the app, not through your phone's system Bluetooth menu.

2. Verify Bluetooth PIN Mode

The Wio Tracker defaults can sometimes be tricky depending on whether a screen was attached during the first boot.1

  • Fixed PIN: If the app asks for a PIN and you don't see one on the screen, the default is usually 123456.2

  • Random PIN: If your Wio Tracker has a screen, it should display a 6-digit PIN. If it doesn't, try double-pressing the Reset button to ensure the device isn't stuck in a sleep state.

3. Check for Power/Voltage Issues

The nRF52840 chips are sensitive to low voltage.

  • USB Power: Ensure you are using a stable USB-C power source. Some users have reported that the Bluetooth radio fails to initialize if the battery is below 30% or if the USB port isn't providing enough current.

  • Charging: If you're using a battery, try plugging it into a wall charger (not a laptop port) to see if the Bluetooth signal becomes visible.

4. Hardware-Specific Fixes

  • The "Double-Reset" Trick: Double-press the reset button quickly to enter DFU mode, then press it once to reboot normally.3 This often "wakes up" the BLE stack if it has crashed.

  • Antenna Check: Ensure your LoRa antenna is attached. While it doesn't directly control Bluetooth, running the radio without an antenna can cause internal interference or heating that might crash the MCU.

5. Firmware Re-flash (Last Resort)

If the device is "bricked" or simply won't broadcast BLE:

  1. Connect to your PC via USB.

  2. Double-press the Reset button to enter DFU Mode (it should show up as a USB drive named Tracker L1).4

  3. Drag and drop the latest .uf2 firmware file from the Meshtastic Flasher onto that drive.

  4. Once it reboots, the BLE should reset to default settings.

Comparison of Wio Tracker Bluetooth Modes
Mode
Expected PIN
When to use
Random PIN
Shown on Screen
Standard for security
Fixed PIN
123456
If no screen is attached
No PIN
None
Not recommended (Security risk)
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