Service Tip: Activating and Deactivating the WLAN interface on Sunny Boy Inverters with Built-in WiFi
New generation Sunny Boy inverters provide customers with great flexibility due to their integrated WLAN and Webconnect interfaces. This allows direct access to the user interface of the inverter for smooth commissioning and configuration. It also provides an option for local monitoring via the inverter’s user interface or online monitoring via Sunny Portal and Sunny Places. However in some instances a customer or installer may prefer to turn off the WLAN function in the inverter (e.g. privacy, not used, etc.). The step by step procedure to switch off and switch on the WLAN in the inverter is described below.
PREPARATION CHECKLIST:
Bring your smartphone, tablet or laptop with Ethernet patch cable along to the site
Whether the installation site is remote, or if this is the first time commissioning this type of inverter, or it is known the inverter’s WiFi hotspot has been deactivated, it is recommended that you bring a computer with an Ethernet port and an Ethernet patch cable, as it will make the configuration process easier in case you experience any difficulty. Otherwise, any smartphone or tablet with WiFi capability should be sufficient.
The WLAN function is activated as standard at the time of manufacturing. To deactivate this function, it is necessary to access the web user interface of the inverter. First, make sure the inverter is commissioned. You will then need to access the inverter user interface using either the following two methods:
a) Connecting via WLAN
You will need to have a computer, a tablet or a smartphone with Wi-Fi capability.
b) Connecting via Ethernet
You will need a computer with an Ethernet interface.
Below is the detailed description of how to access the inverter user interface.
a) Connecting via WLAN
Search for Wi-Fi networks in your device. You will see the inverter network as SMA[serial number]. Connect to this network and enter the password. The Wi-Fi password for the first ten hours of operation is SMA12345. After this, use the WPA2-PSK password of that particular inverter which you will find on the inverter type label on the right hand side of the unit. Once you have successfully connected to this network, open an internet browser and enter the IP address in the address bar according to information below and press Enter.
This will take you to the login page of the inverter user interface. Log in as an Installer. If this is the first time you are logging in, you will be asked to create a password. Otherwise use the password set by the installer at the time of commissioning.
b) Connecting via Ethernet
Connect the inverter directly to a computer via an Ethernet patch cable. See below for the Ethernet connection point on the inverter.
Location of Ethernet connection points on Sunny Boy inverter models
Open an internet browser and enter the IP address in the address bar according to information below and press Enter.
This will take you to the login page of the inverter user interface. Log in as an Installer. If this is the first time you are logging in, you will be asked to create a password. Otherwise use the password set by the installer at the time of commissioning.
Switching the WLAN interface off
Once logged in to the inverter user interface, you can switch off the WLAN function. However, be mindful that by doing so, future access to the inverter user interface will be possible only via an Ethernet connection. This means if you need to re-activate the WLAN function you must connect the inverter directly to a computer or a router via Ethernet.
Procedure:
1. On the menu, click on “Device Parameters” and then click on “Editing Parameters”.
2. Click on “System Communication”, then select “WLAN”.
Device Parameters
3. To deactivate the WLAN direct connection, select “Soft-access-point is turned on” and set this parameter to “No”.
4. To deactivate the WLAN connection in the local network, select “Activated” and set this parameter to “No” ”.
Switching the WLAN interface on
To switch on the inverter’s WLAN function (if it has been deactivated), you will require either a computer or laptop and an Ethernet patch cable. Once the inverter is connected to the computer or laptop via Ethernet, open an internet browser and enter the IP address in the address bar according to your device (see below) and press Enter.
Procedure:
- On the menu, click on “Device Parameters” and then click on “Editing Parameters”.
- Click on “System Communication”, then select “WLAN”.
- To activate the WLAN direct connection, select “Soft-access-point is turned on” and set this parameter to “Yes”.
- To activate the WLAN connection in the local network, select “Activated” and set this parameter to “Yes”.
Conclusion
New Generation Sunny Boy inverters are equipped with a WLAN interface as standard. While this function facilitates easy system configuration and monitoring using WiFi, customers sometimes prefer to deactivate the WLAN function. The WLAN function can be easily deactivated by accessing the inverter user interface. However, once the WLAN interface is deactivated, it will only be possible to re-activate the WLAN by connecting the inverter directly to a computer or a router via Ethernet.
I want to connect sunny boy 2.5 to new wifi network (not a previous existing network).i connect to inverters wifi named sma 19300…. then type the ip adress 192.168.12.3 but that site it is not accesible.
Hello Nimesh,
Please contact our SMA Service for further support, thank you.
Sunny regards
Christiane
The network connection WiFi/Wired Ethernet on the Sunny Boy 5.0 is dropping very often and for a very long duration. It looks as if this happening more often. My installer also informed quiet a while ago that it is strange to have such a interrupted connectivity.
Hello Johan,
Please note that the post is outdated (see the beginning of the article).
You will find an update on our latest monitoring and control solutions here.
For further support regarding your current inquiry, please contact our SMA Service via our SMA Online Service Center.
Sunny regards
Christiane
I have installed a wifi camera to watch my panels after someone hit one with a bat. Can i set my camera to use the inverters wifi to send out a signal to my phone.
Hello Scott,
Please get back to our SMA Service Team, using our SMA Online Service Center.
Thank you.
Sunny regards
Christiane
I have a Sunny Boy Model SB6.0-1 AV-41. I noticed that after I have a prolonged outage of internal wifi at home the Sunny Boy drops out completely from Wifi and also no wifi output is also produced by the device. I turn off the wifi at night for 5 hours to cool off the router. Will this damage Sunny Boy wifi system overtime? The solution I use is to reset Sunnyboy at Midnight by turning off the isolator and only then the connection to Sunny Boy is restored. Its a bit inconvenient.
Hi Leo,
please contact the SMA Service team for further support.
Thanks and regards
Christiane
I have a Sunny Boy 7700. I plan to purchase a wifi range extender on the farm to monitor the inverter. It’s a stand alone system without monitoring currently (unless I walk by and see the red light). Does it use the 2.4ghz or 5.0ghz band for communication? Thanks!
Hi Eric,
It would be best to contact your installer directly. He knows your system the best.
Sunny regards,
Carolyn
Good afternoon, I have a problem, for some reason problem 77 caught fire, everything worked as usual, one inverter is working, the other is not, where can I find the problem? And how to install it? There is no master, because it was 8 years old and this company is gone.
Hi Valdas,
Please get in contact with my service colleagues here.
Sunny regards,
Carolyn
I can not connect my sunny boy to the Wi-Fi please help
Hi Chris,
Please register here.
Sunny regards,
Carolyn
Hello.
We disabled the wlan. By doing so, we accidentally disabled speedwire as well. The inverter is now offline both wired and wireless. A reset didnt work. Connecting directly to a laptop with ethernet isnt working neither.
Is there a way to reset the device in order to have connectivity back?
Hi Ben,
Thanks for your request. Please ask my colleagues from SMA Online Service Center to get help.
Kind regards,
Anke
how can I fix event error code 7702
the sunny boy display red light and no AC output
please clarify
Hi Zelalem,
The event numbers 77, 7701, 7702 and 7703 signal a fault in the grid relays of the inverter. The fault can occur permanently or sporadically. Error 77(xx) “Self-diagnosis” or “Device fault” is shown in the display and the red LED lights up. The inverter does not feed in when the fault occurs.
In the case of STP devices, this may be due to an incorrectly performed AC installation. Frequent mains disconnections due to contact resistances at poorly designed terminal points or high line resistances can be an indication.
Please contact your installer for help. If he is not able to help sign in on our service line with the following information:
– Device type and serial number of the inverter
– event number
– How long has the error been pending? Is it sporadic or permanent?
– Is a faulty installation excluded as a cause after the check?
– Are screw-type fuses used as switch-disconnectors in the installation?
– Measurement results of the voltages N-PE, L-N, L-PE
Sunny regards,
Carolyn
I have forgotten the wifi password to my sunny boy 1.5, can you please tell me how I can reset it ?
Hi Peter,
Please check the user manual for a forgotten passwort here: https://manuals.sma.de/SHPxx20/en-US/978083851.html
Sunny regards,
Carolyn
The wifi on my Sunny Boy inverter worked fine for about 12 months until I tried to connect it to my network with a new router. During this process the wifi dropped out and I haven’t been able to get it back again. I’ve tried tapping on the inverter to no avail. Is there a solution to this problem?
Hello Marie,
Please contact a local IT specialist or your installer. In case they can not help you feel free to sign in on our Online Service Center.
Sunny regards
Carolyn
Can we stop the SSID wifi broadcast while leaving the WIFI on?
Hi Daniel,
No, unfortunately this didn´t work.
Kind regards,
Anke
For security purposes we do not broadcast our SSID, so our SB-5 has lost the wifi connection. Does SMA plan to update its system – either firmware or hardware – so the wifi will connect without requiring SSID broadcast? Thank you. Best regards, Charlie
Hi Charlie,
For the current inverter series SB3.0-1AV-41 bis 6.0-1AV-41 it will also work with “Hidden SSID”. To check this for you, please send me some details:
– inverter serial number
– Firmware-Package of your inverter
via email to SocialMedia@SMA.de.
Thanks & kind regards,
Anke
Hi,
I installed my SB3.0-1AV-40 three weeks ago and everything worked fine. Good wifi signal quality and continuous connection with Sunny Portal.
Yesterday the connection with Sunny Portal was lost. According to my router (Apple Airport Extreme) signal strength of the SB3.0 was still excellent.
In the evening (dark) I reset the SB3.0 by switching off the AC mains and leaving it off for a few hours. In the morning it was working again and had connected to Sunny Portal. But now a few hours later the connection has been lost again. Please advise.
Hi Walter,
Please call our SMA Service colleagues at Service Line. Click here and then choose your country in the selection box to find your telephone number for technical help.
Kind regards,
Anke
Good morning,
for months I’ve been trying to contact the SMA Italy support, without receiving any answer. Is it possible to have an email address to write to? It is the worst experience ever in terms of after-sales assistance (in some technical forums they say that SMA in Italy no longer exists)
Hi,
Sorry to hear that. I forwarded your request to our colleagues. They will contact you.
Kind regards, Anke
I forgot to write down the new IP address of the inverter, now I can’t find it and I can’t see it on my wifi router’s settings.
Is there any way to reset it to try again?
Hi Michael,
have you already contact your installer? He can help you for sure.
kind regards
Maria
Hello,
My SunnyBoy SB1.5-1 VL-40 worked perfectly fine. Until the 16th of july I received daily logs of the yields. Since the 16th the logs stopped. The plan of the sunnyboy shows up on the available networks, but I’m unable to connect with it using the ip-adress. I’ve also tried to connect to the inverter with a network cable but was still unable to connect with it using the ip adress specified in the manual or in the router. I need info on how to connect with the inverter, thanks Klaas-Jan
Hi,
the best way is to contact your installer, he knows your system and the local conditions the best. If he is not able to help you feel free to sign in on our Online Service Center.
Sunny regards,
Carolyn
I need info on how to set up Wi Fi to new installation Inverter, Please.
Hi,
Please contact your installer. He knows your system the best and can help you locally.
Sunny regards,
Carolyn
wifi on SB5 inverter does not seem to be working.
I have reset Inverter (switch off for 5 minutes) still get same response:-
Wifi SMA1992063505 is found but still get message “No Internet Connection”.
And when I use a browser on computer I get message “192.168.12.3 didn’t send any data”
Note that there is no service provider currently operating here in Townsville.
Hello Barry,
please sign in on our Service-Line to get help.
Sunny regards,
Carolyn
Hi,
I installed an inverter 3.6 sonny boy “the smart one ” since 11 months ago, I was able to dedicate the wifi signal from inverter 10 meters away from it, but now I am not able to dedicate the signal from 1meter distance.
Kindly your advice here.
Best Regards,
Hi Moath,
please do not hesitate to contact your installer, he will help you.
Sunny regards, Anna
When I first got the inverter, I was able to access it via my smartphone using the IP address 192.168.12.3. With help from the installer, I then changed this to access via my home LAN but in doing so, it disabled the 192.168.12.3 access. For security reasons, I now wish to deactivate the home LAN connection. Once done, will the 192.168.12.3 again become accessible?
Hi David,
In case that you have disabled the access via Wi-Fi, the inverter will still be accessible via ethernet.
If the IP-address has been changed, you have to reconfigure your PC to the same network range.
Please refer to the installation manual if you have further questions.
Kind regards, Anna
Hi there,
I have my inverter working through our wifi fine, but i need to add a password to the wifi.
As soon as i add the password to our wifi the inverter cannot access my local wifi anymore.
When i try to find the built in wifi (SMA19…….) it doesnt show in my network list, so I cannot access the inverter wirelessly. Does this mean I can only access and add a password via the ethernet cable direct to my computer? Or is there a way to “wake up” the inverters built in wifi and access it from my ipad?
Hi Marlies,
the inverter is equipped with an activated WLAN interface as standard. If you do not want to use
WLAN, you can switch the WLAN function off and switch it on again whenever needed. In doing
so, you can switch the WLAN direct connection and the WLAN connection in the local network on
independently of each other.
If you switch off both the WLAN function for the direct connection and for the connection in
the local network, access to the inverter user interface and therefore reactivation of the WLAN
interface is only possible via an Ethernet connection.
Switching WLAN Off
If you would like to switch the WLAN function off completely, you must switch off both the direct
connection and the connection in the local network.
Procedure:
• To switch off the direct connection in the parameter group PV system communication >
WLAN, select the parameter Soft-access-point is turned on and set this to No.
• To switch off the connection in the local network in the parameter group PV system
communication > WLAN, select the parameter WLAN is turned on and set this to No.
Switching WLAN On
If you have switched the WLAN function for direct connection or for connection in the local network
off, you can switch the WLAN function back on in accordance with the following procedure.
Requirement:
If the WLAN function was previously switched off completely, the inverter must be connected
to a computer or router via Ethernet.
SMA Solar Technology AG 9 Configuration of the Inverter
Operating Manual SB30-50-1AV-40-BE-en-10 57
Procedure:
• To switch on the WLAN direct connection, in the parameter group PV system
communication > WLAN, select the parameter Soft-access-point is turned on and set this
to Yes.
• To switch on the WLAN connection in the local network, in the parameter group System
communication > WLAN, select the parameter WLAN is turned on and set this to Yes.
Kind regards, Annika
Hi I just installed solar with sunny boy inverter I am trying to connect wifi on my settings but it says on internate connection on my sunnyboy settings
Hi,
Once the inverter is connected to the WLAN, does the original WiFi network SMAxxxxxxx get switched off? I’m connected fine to my local wireless network via WiFi but i no longer see the original WiFi network of the inverter anymore when I scan for WiFI networks on my devices. Is that normal?
Thank you.
ajmal
Usually, the integrated soft access point of inverters with built-in WiFi will not be deactivated once you have connected it to the customers network.
However, since this is an adjustable feature, you will be able to activate this option again via web interface at any time.
Or you can activate the WPS function by tapping on the enclosure lid twice in quick succession. The open interface will then be signalized via the rapid flashing of the blue LED on the inverter.
Please bear in mind that the WiFi function for the direct connection/access point as well as the WiFi connection in the local network can only be switched on via Ethernet connection.
If the WiFi function was previously switched off completely, the inverter must be connected to a computer or router via Ethernet.
Kind regards,
Rhea
installed sunny boy 6.0 inverter 10/2016, PV panels went bad, today installed new PV panels, having trouble activating wif on the inverter and linking to sunnyportal.com. Suggestions? I am the homeowner.
Hello Donald,
The best way to solve your problem is to contact our Service Line in charge for you. Our colleagues will help you.
Kind regards, Carolin
I am hard wired to the SMA. Blue led is on solid. Cannot connect to IP 169.254.12.3
My WIFI on the SMA somehow turned itself off when I was changing passwords setting up the connection over Wifi.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Mike
Hello Mike,
as this is an individal problem, please contact our Service. They will be glad to asisst you in a personal dialog, so this can be solved.
Kind regards, Jennifer
I have exactly the same issue. Why is there no factory reset capability ( OR button ?)
My device is now rendered useless
Is it possible to after mount the WLAN interface in a SI 4.4M-11?
What will I need?
Is this a part of the SMA Webconnect-Interface SWDMSI-NR?
Please advice.
Hello Jarle,
it isn`t possible to add a W-LAN interface in the Sunny Island 4.4M-11.
The W-Lan interface is only for the new Sunny Island -12 and is directly on the board of the new one.
Kind regards, Jennifer
Hi I am troubleshooting my wifi connection to SMa inverter from 1 year called my installer couldn’t get any help please advise
My email rdevasthanam @gmail.com
Hello Ravi,
Please contact our SMA Service for further support.
We need more details in your case (serial number etc.).
Sunny regards
Christiane
What is the maximum length of the Password the 3.0 can manage? The WiFi router password is 63 characters and the inverter fails to connect but when I shorten it to say 20, it connects. This is a little too weak for safe use. Can a firmware upgrade be implemented to increase the password length??
Thnak you,
John
Dear John,
The length of the wi-fi password can be up to 63 characters. Please check the wi-fi settings of your inverter again.
Please do not hesitate to contact our service line if the issue persists. Our colleagues will be glad to assist further. See an overview of all service line phone numbers here.
Kind regards, Jennifer