Zwift Connection Issues: How To Troubleshoot Zwift Pairing Issues

[@Dcrainmaker]

I’m just here for the thumbnail. On point!

[@tiagoafonso7793]

A couple of things I have learned from my experience with connection drops using a MacBook pro: 1 - iPhone interferes with the connection between the mac and my wahoo smart trainer Turning BT off on the phone helps a lot. Or moving it away from the laptop. 2 - Ant+ dongle with a USB cable extension, helped and solved 99.9 percent of the drops in connection. Now extremely rare. Hope it helps, nothing more annoying than a drop in connection during a race.

[@Gatotsu2009]

just having problems here, but it´s odd. A few days ago the connection (Bluetooh) was dropping every 2 or 3 minutes but when I use the phone/tablet is ok (both have ANT+ and Blutooh), I wil disconnect the phone to see how it goes.

[@itsraining6449]

I've been having issues since the updates in May 2023. Thanks for getting me get connected and now I don't have to lose my mind trying to figure it out.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Glad this was helpful

[@jamesryan1699]

Great video -only one time missing ~ general bugs every Zwift release seems to break something Cant wait for Zwift to release support for wahoo direct connect

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Yes, hopefully we will see support for direct connect soon

[@mlegrand]

Great video Tariq!!! I think this video will help a lot of people having issues. Only other suggest would be for athletes to do a spin down calibration if they are feeling good resistance on the trainer. Thanks for posting this one. 👏

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Definitely if the trainer requires a spin down it would help greatly with accuracy. Great suggestion, Matt. Thank you for watching!

[@mlegrand]

@@SmartBikeTrainers - great point. Does it seem like there are more auto calibration on trainers these days?

[@michaelevans797]

Very helpful, thank you. Just shared it to my younger brother who is just starting on Zwift. Many thanks 👍

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Glad you found it helpful and thank you for sharing with your brother 🙏🏼

[@GeneVilleneuve]

Thanks for the video. I will try pairing my Bluetooth devices to Zwift companion instead of to my appleTV as when I pair only with AppleTV the connection keeps dropping during rides… either power or HRM or the whole thing just seems to drop Bluetooth connections. Strange as for weeks it worked fine on my appleTV and then two weeks ago stopped being solid. So I have been using my iPhone for everything for now.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Hmm… strange. I wonder if there was an update issue with Zwift that’s causing this. You might want to try also to restart your Apple TV just to eliminate any app or connection that isn’t dropping when shutting down Zwift.

[@GeneVilleneuve]

@@SmartBikeTrainers thanks. I reset my appleTV to factory settings twice. Still loses the Bluetooth connection but my smart trainer and HRM are solid on my iPhone for hours. I may try your suggestion to pair with Companion on my iPhone and run the Zwift game on my appleTV. I will try this tomorrow.

[@dannymongrain4788]

great video, thanks! I also ran into my fair share of connection problems, and here's the trickiest one I managed to solve, in case this can be helpful. My Tacx Flow Smart wheels-on trainer would randomly disconnected during ride, with loss of power/cadence reading and resistance down to 0. Problem would last 1 or 10 seconds, and occur frequently. I tried everything, and managed to fix the problem permanently by adding a cheap 10$ fan, directly pointed at the trainer motor, as it was overheating. Tacx is not very vocal about this problem as they rate this trainer for 600 Watts but overheating occurs at 250-300 watts. Problem worst for 'low cadence climber', like myself, as the pedals rotation isn't fast enough to cool the trainer motor. hope this help!

[@patrickflanagan8008]

Thank you, thank you so much. Your excellent advice worked first time after hours of struggle to get my Elite Drivo 2 to pair. 5 star advice *****

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Glad it helped 🙌🏼

[@mrcoan7553]

Tariq is the man! Love your videos! So very helpful.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Thank you 😊

[@Gledii]

im having issues with the Wahoo Tickr. it has a lot of dropout connection during a ride. i changed the battery but still happening..

[@philippecapraro5766]

I’m having issues with connecting with the pacer group. I’m riding but no robocop or group seen. Thank you

[@militaryminedid2011]

My Zwift Hub works fine for fine for a couple of weeks and then it will say No Signal or Connection Failure. I unpair and pair again. when I do that it connects momentarily, drops, connects and then drops permanently. Happens on phone (companion app) and laptop (Windows 11). All software and forward is up to date. No other electric and Bluetooth devices around or on. Since the same thing happens on multiple devices, I'm thinking it's the hub itself even though it only 6 weeks old.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

I would reach out to Zwift. Sounds like an issue with Bluetooth.

[@kristenfink3895]

I have the exact thing happening to me. Did you get it resolved?

[@militaryminedid2011]

@@kristenfink3895 I finally did about 1 week ago. Initially Zwift support told me to go on my laptop under File Explorer/Documents/Zwift and delete files "know devices" and "prefs". I did that but it didn't fix anything (worth a try as it may work for you). The issue I had was the hub was connecting for a few seconds and just drop, yet the hub light would remain on/blue and connected to something via Bluetooth but wasn't the Zwift app. I unpaired and paired numerous times with the same results...no connection on Zwift app but hub still had the blue light on. In my final effort, which worked, I went on my phone to the Zwift Companion app. During the course of adding my Zwift Hub again to the app, it showed I had a heart monitor connected with full signal. The thing is, I had thrown the heart rate strap out earlier that morning and even removed the battery so no signal could be picked up by the hub. How did the app say I had a heart rate monitor still connected at full strength/bars? I clicked on "unpair" heart rate monitor and from that point, all was well and has been. For some reason it appears the app and hub still thought I had a heart strap and was actually connecting to, by default, to something that didn't exist anymore (my strap). Not sure if that makes any sense but that's what happened...good luck!

[@shinycycling]

Thanks for the info! Been frustrated with the signaldrop :(

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

That seem to be the most common issue. Try Bluetooth if you haven’t yet. Also, most PCs have a weak Bluetooth hardware by default. Getting a Bluetooth signal booster for your PC will improve your experience drastically.

[@seanwillmott8294]

Thanksyou it ended up Being a Frimware update on the KCore restarting it fixed my issues!

[@Marrawi01]

Yeah i tried bluetooth way on my Xiaomi Mi 9T Android it doesnt detect it on zwift maybe ant way?

[@deannasolomon656]

Thank you for your videos...they are very informative and helpful. I have had a hell of a time connecting my Wahoo Kickr Core to my brand new Macbook Air. I got this new computer specifically to run Zwift. I have given up on PCs as they seem to die within two years. I am looking everywhere for information regarding MacAir M1 and connecting to Zwift via Bluetooth and ANT+. Your videos have been very helpful. Whether I use Bluetooth or ANT+, I end up dropping out. I cannot even seem to connect my Controllable from my Kickr using Bluetooth. When I first log in to zwift, everything appears to be set up fine but then I lose it all. When I go into connections, it shows that the ANT+ and the Bluetooth are there. When I click on Pair, it will read the Bluetooth for Power and Cadence (for both my Kickr and my 4iiii. But the Controllable is not paired and there is no ANT+ connection. What am I doing wrong?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Do you have an ANT+ dongle connected to the Mac Air? Your MacBook Air should work great in Bluetooth so it seems to me something else is going on. I would try using a different device to test out the kickr just to make sure it’s not a kickr issue. If you have an iPhone or iPad, can you try running Zwift on that and see if you have a better experience?

[@deannasolomon656]

@@SmartBikeTrainers j do have the dongle and replaced it as it was rusty. It is also on an extender. I will test out on my phone and see what happens. Thank you.

[@deannasolomon656]

@@SmartBikeTrainers Just tried it on my phone. Both are working very well.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

@@deannasolomon656 so we know the kickr is fine. I would try reinstalling Zwift on the Mac Air. Just delete the app (drag it to the trash can) and reinstall it. Also, if you haven’t restarted the Mac Air in a while I would give that a try too and then try to connect in Bluetooth. Hope that resolves your issue.

[@deannasolomon656]

@@SmartBikeTrainers still the same. Thanks for trying.

[@Stuy_B]

My kicker snap smart trainer has all of a sudden stopped showing my cadence/rpm in zwift any information for me would be great

[@JanPC75]

I was doing an FTP test, and just when I had started the 20 min, I had connection failure. What to do? After the new update, there has been some connection issues. Do you have a idea to solve it? I’m using an pc and a Wahoo kicker Hometrainer, wahoo head wind. Everything is up to date. Hope to get some help. Thanks 😊

[@jean-marcleclerc4929]

The Device connections does not exist anymore in Zwift Companion app. So what do I do to connect my HR monitor. Apple TV offers only 3 BT channels and 2 are required for connecting the trainer.

[@TheNovaNorm]

Your videos are great, very informative. I am having trouble pairin my HR monitor in Zwift on my Samsung Tab S6 Lite. There isn't an option to let me use the companion app on my S21 (there is on RGT Cycling and it works great). Please help!

[@TheNovaNorm]

Everything is on the same WiFi.

[@JSC131]

Hi Tariq I have just bought zwift hub 6 weeks ago no issues tried to update new software sunday and it stopped. First I had orange light now permanent blue their is no other Bluetooth on I have contacted Zwift no response really disappointed with them I was running the brand new Samsung tablet 64 gig.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Hi Jeff. Sorry to hear of your issue with the HUB. Have you tried disconnecting the trainer completely from power and let it restart?

[@antivirusism]

I found my Wahoo Kickr V5 cannot connect to "Controllable"in Zwift using Samsung Galaxy S10+ Mobile or Samsung Galaxy Tab 6 Lite. (Im using Bluetooth for connection for both devices) It was very frustrating while there is no problem for connecting to Power and Candance. Please help.

[@tomdiaz2135]

I cant get my ZC app to be found by Zwift. So, I cant use my heart rate monitor on Zwift. Its connected to same network (WIFI). Devices is on in settings. What else could be going on?

[@donwcollins]

Can you do a video on Apple Watch (for heart monitor) connection issues?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

I will look into it

[@Deathcultreaper]

@@SmartBikeTrainers that would be great. I get dropouts when running with my apple watch with Zwift, it cuts out for a second or so every minute and will stop your character too.

[@johngoodenough5336]

Have a etc thinkrider can connect to powerfun but not to zwift. please help....

[@vbh90]

Thanks for your video! I tried what you said, but still I’m having issues in the connection between my Kicker Snap and the Zwift platform. These seem to be connected when I start (I get cadence and power readings) but once I start pedaling faster the avatar stops and cadence and power drop to zero. Any idea of what could be happening? Thanks!

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Are you using BLE or ANT+ to connect and what device are you using to run Zwift? Sounds like the device you are using to run Zwift is getting some signal interference. This could be caused by external sources particularly if you are using ANT+ to connect, or possibly the device you use doesn't have a strong receiver or processor to handle the load causing it to disconnect. I would try a different device like your phone for example and see if you run into the same issue.

[@vbh90]

@@SmartBikeTrainers I made a second try restarting everything and following again the steps you mentioned in the video and it finally worked, yayyy! Thank you very much for your support! Amazing channel and videos, you helped me sove something I was trying to solve since days ago 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Happy to hear you were able to solve the issue. Happy Zwifting 👍👍

[@rosyjacobsen]

WOW! Superb info - very comprehensive!

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cynthiaallen3824]

You really helped me out. Thanks!

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Glad I could help!

[@steveh3483]

Thank you for this, very helpful, nearly sent my Tacx Flow back. I set it up on day 1, all fine, day two, no go, but I installed a new wifi repeater. Turned off the 2.4GHZ and all seems fine, the Tacx was between the wifi repeater and my ipad? Seems the 2.4 was blocking the Tacx bluetooth connections?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

My guess is the Tacx is connected to something if you are using Bluetooth. I would try turning Bluetooth off on your phone and iPad. Then turn Bluetooth on the iPad back on first and see if you can connect.

[@steam-SMOKEY]

Zwift is picking up my bike via Bluetooth but doesn't recognise my pedal movement 😢

[@TheDocRizInc]

Im using xoss speed sensor..it showed connected but no speed was detect.. help me boss?

[@gregoriococco9490]

hi I submit problem with suito t new. pairing with smartphone xiaomi redmi note 9 ok via myetraining app and calibration ok at the first try. connection and use with rouvy ar ok on the first try. with zwift there is no way to get connected. from zwift does not see the roller. trying with the same trainer and other smartphone that a friend of mine normally uses with his suito and zwift for daily workouts same problem and there is no coupling with zwift. can you help me

[@jean-marcleclerc4929]

At the end, you went pretty fast about the pairing with Zwift Companion. It would have been nice to have it with more details . As mention in my previous comment, the Device connections menu doesn't seem to existe anymore, or do I have to be in an activity to see it ?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Are you using the Apple TV? If so, it should be there in the pairing menu. You should see “Pair with zwift companion” on the top left. You must also have the Companion app open.

[@cynthiaallen3824]

Thanks!

[@joaovictorgoncalves6217]

My tacx vortex works fine on PC. On my Samsung Phone works as Power meter bateria not as controlable. On my Tablet zwift doesnt find the trainer, but on tacx app it works fine

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Hmm… did you disconnect the trainer from the Tacx app?

[@joaovictorgoncalves6217]

@@SmartBikeTrainers yes i did. Discovered the problem. The location permissions of zwift was disabled on my tablet, when i gave the permission zwift found the trainer. On my phone still hasn't found why it doesn't connect as controllable.

[@theshoemakers915]

About the pairing via Companion: I’ve recently bought a Tacx Flux S and, after using a Huawei tab, I also bought an Apple TV (2021 32gb). Super fast connection of Tacx+HR sensor+cadence sensor via Companion App. But I have a very annoying issue: both with ERG mode ON (trainings) or OFF (uphills) the Tacx cannot keep a resistance. The resistance, and so the power, goes up and down (big difference, from 250/300watt to 80/100watt and back). I’ve tried to connect only via iPhone and there is no such problem…where is the problem? AppleTv? Companion? Both?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Have you tried not using the companion app and just using the Apple TV to connect? The Flux offers power and cadence so you should be able to connect power, cadence, controllable, and HR using only the Apple TV. No need to use the companion app.

[@theshoemakers915]

@@SmartBikeTrainers yes, I’ve tried because I’ve already heard that..but it just doesn’t work correctly (no controllable or no cadence). I’ll go back with my old Huawei tab until I’ll buy an iPad… thanks for the answer 😉

[@TheNicknails]

Hi, great info. If Bluetooth loses connection mid ride, could this be interference or do I need to be closer to PC?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Hard to tell… the farther you are, the weaker the BLE signal will be.

[@niekhurkmans7487]

Hi Tariq, Please help me with my issue pairing my trainer as a "Controllable": I use my Samsung S10 to connect ZWIFT with my trainer via Bluetooth. It does pair as a "power source" and for the "Cadance". But unfortunatelly it is not pairing as a "Controllable". When I use my tablet it does Zwift does pair with the trainer also as a "Controllable". But my mobile phone does not. I tried this with both my Thinkrider and my Saris H3 trainer but not succesfull. Strangly enough did my mobile phone pair with a Wahoo trainer of my friend. Any idea why my mobile phone does not pair the "Controllable" in Zwift with my trainer?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

That’s strange since it connected to your friend’s trainer. But it looks to me there is an issue with your Samsung phone. Can you get deleting Zwift and reinstalling on your phone and see if that resolves the issue?

[@moserbua]

thanks for this video, i drives me nuts sometimes - i hate this so much - it's a lottery everytime when you switch on your smarttrainer - i'm using AppleTV, my Intel NUC Windows PC is overloaded with Zwift performance, think i have to use my MacMini M1 - but his had also issues until 14.1 was released........damned technology ;)

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

It can be frustrating at times. I’ve had a solid experience with the Apple TV and M1 macs so far. Technology can be frustrating sometimes.

[@heatherbromfield6965]

I have a wahoo kickr core, and run zwift on my PC laptop. For some reason, it won't connect to the cadence sensor now (using bluetooth as I don't yet have ANT+). But - cadence works when I connect the laptop using Zwift Companion, it works when I use my iPad, and it works when I use the Wahoo standalone app. Any ideas on why the laptop-Zwift cadence connection would suddenly fail to connect? Thanks!

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Hmm… sounds like an issue with the Bluetooth driver in your laptop since it works everywhere else. One thing I would try is reinstalling Zwift on your laptop and rebooting and see if that fixes it. I would also try installing a different app like trainerroad or WAHOO RGT or Systm on your laptop and see if they detect the cadence sensor just to eliminate any Bluetooth issues with the Laptop itself.

[@heatherbromfield6965]

@@SmartBikeTrainers Thanks! Will try these!

[@OderintDumMetuat]

Bro you are amazing!

[@NunoPereira-jv7vt]

why garmin hr monitor doesn't work in tablet (s8+)? if it is not compatible which one do you suggest to use in the zwift app in these cases? thx

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Check to see if your Garmin HR is Bluetooth compatible. If it’s not, you can get something like the Wahoo Tickr amzn.to/3VEdvp8 Or Garmin HR Dual: amzn.to/3Fb4Bdq

[@NunoPereira-jv7vt]

@@SmartBikeTrainers only ant+... bahhhh! 🤬I already order the Wahoo TickrX 🤑 and let see if it works. Thx

[@LoneZZZ10]

Thank you.. Great Videos. But how about signal drop off only while racing? while doing workout or just ride, I never had any signal drop off.. Even with sufferfest (Ant+)workout and zwift(BL) in background. Still don't know how to fix it. Tacx Neo 2T

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Anything specific or different you do when racing? Different setup? Equipment /gadgets/accessories/additional fans you use when racing? I would check all these different variables to see if something is causing signal interference. Also, I wonder if it’s an event specific issue!

[@johnmoseley391]

I have EXACTLY this issue. It’s driving me mad. NO CHANGE to setup, just “race / group ride” rather than workout out free ride

[@alantaylorfarnes]

If I have both Bluetooth and ANT+ should I connect both to use ANT+ as a failsafe? Or does it not work like that?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

I don’t think it works like that if I’m understanding you correctly. For each sensor, you need to ant+ or BLE to connect. But you can mix and match. For example, connect your power meter using ANT+ and controllable trainer in BLE or something like that.

[@alantaylorfarnes]

@@SmartBikeTrainers yeah I was thinking if the Bluetooth drops out then the ant+ would catch it but I don’t think it works like that

[@macdaddy1617]

2 days still nothing on the trainer.🤬

[@jerichoholic5805]

Zwift cannot find my power meter, cadence and HR sensor. It says BT is not on but it is turned on : ( Please help.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

What device and OS are you using?

[@astroguyco]

Great video, what do you think about cycleops h2 smart trainer?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

It’s a pretty decent trainer but I would try to get the H3 because it’s much quieter and probably the same price. Unless you a decent deal on the H2

[@astroguyco]

@@SmartBikeTrainers $400 and if h3 is only quieter, I don’t think it’s a dealbreaker. Is there a big difference between h2 and h3 apart from noise?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

The noise is the only difference. $400 is a solid deal for the H2.

[@eglous]

My zwift on macbook pro keeps saying that bluetooth is off.. it is ON. Restarted mac but does not helps... Do you know the fix?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Are you able to pair other Bluetooth devices to your MacBook like a mouse or a headset?

[@eggiebert]

@@SmartBikeTrainers yes no problem. I deleted al my Bluetooth files and rebooted. Even reinstalled Zwift. Nothing works. Ended up training on iPhone. Not ideal

[@nikolajhamborg4806]

Quick question..... How can i calibrate my trainer when i can't use the tacx training app because then i cannot connect to controllable in zwift?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Once you calibrate in the Tacx training app, disconnect the trainer from Tacx and you should be able to connect it to Zwift.

[@nikolajjakobsen1721]

@@SmartBikeTrainersmake sense, Thank you! Though i still have a problem connecting to the controllable even though i disconnect from the Tacx app…. I even deleted the Tacx app and the controllable still doesn’t show :/

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Are you able to connect it as power? Does your trainer offer controllable functionality? What type of trainer do you have?

[@nikolajjakobsen1721]

@@SmartBikeTrainers yes i am and its a tacx bushido

[@rikushbotha]

I use BT & new HP Laptop. My new Kickr Core & Wahoo Heart rate monitor will connect but it still says No Signal. Any ideas?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Depends on your laptop is and BT drivers. Hard to say with Windows unfortunately. Have you tried ANT+?

[@rikushbotha]

@@SmartBikeTrainers no have not tried Ant+

[@richardlivingstone7540]

As Tariq said, try another Zwift platform eg Ipad, Android. If it's same, its your Wahoo.

[@pizza.doctor]

Yeah tried everything on my Android phone. Couldn't detect the trainer. Eventually tried a laptop and that worked so who knows

[@stevenverschoren1823]

Had the same issue. Check the app settings and make sure Zwift is allowed to know your location in the rights!! Once you give it permittion it works fine!

[@stephenlivesey1]

Hi, if I'm using Bluetooth, do i need my PC Bluetooth on, or will the companion app do it

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Yes, You can use Zwift companion if you would like to connect in Bluetooth.

[@stephenlivesey1]

@@SmartBikeTrainers does the Bluetooth on the pc need to be on the

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

No it doesn’t

[@bakerk5030]

Anyone else feel like the resistance set by zwift is out of sync with their smart trainer?

[@fernandoi.1477]

It depends on your workout mode try using ERG mode if it is power based training.

[@febbone]

The actual issue is the inadequate software zwift makes. I love zwift but the software is just terrible

[@Lupusrevelio]

It's not true that mobile devices don't have ant+ ;) It depends on the model. My samsung Galaxy S10e has ANT+ built-in. ;)

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Some do but majority don’t. Also, last I checked, Zwift on Android doesn’t support Ant+ unless that changed.

[@rbf2000]

@@SmartBikeTrainers That has changed - I've used ANT+ with Zwift on my Galaxy S8 and more recently my S10

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

That’s good to know. Thank you!

[@bartekhoverla3317]

@@SmartBikeTrainers False! Most of Android phone has Ant+ and thay connect flawlessly with Zwift.

[@theundead1600]

Update, unplugged, plug in, update. Still issues. Lol

[@cynthiaallen3824]

Thanks!

[@cynthiaallen3824]

Thanks!