Connect a generator to your home Wi-Fi network with the Mobile Link app (Android)

Generator owners can connect their generators to their home Wi-Fi network using a setup wizard within the Mobile Link for Generators mobile app. Once connected, this app allows users to monitor their generator and change certain generator settings. 
 

Experiencing frequent Wi-Fi disconnections? Upgrading to the Connectivity Cellular Accessory is recommended for users who wish to add connectivity to their generator or users experiencing ongoing connectivity issues. It is compatible with more generators and uses multiple carrier networks to offer greater coverage. Basic (free) and Premium cellular plans are available for users of this device. See here to upgrade: Connectivity Cellular Accessory

Environment

• Guardian Series & Mobile Link Wi-Fi device: This article applies to Generac Guardian series home standby generators that have a Mobile Link module allowing for a Wi-Fi connection. See Mobile Link Wi-Fi, Cellular, and LTE device compatibility guide for more information.
• First time network setup: The generator must not have been connected previously (it must be a first-time setup after installation). If this is not a first-time setup, see How Do I Reconnect My Generator to a Wi-Fi Network if It Has Become Disconnected?
• Android devices: The connection procedure in this article only applies to Android users. Owners of iPhone devices should reference How do I connect my generator to a Wi-Fi network if I have an iPhone?
• Network compatibility: Mobile Link requires a dedicated 2.4 GHz network: Is My Wi-Fi Network Compatible With Mobile Link?

Does my generator need to be connected to Mobile Link to function as an automatic backup system?

A Mobile Link account is not required for the generator to operate as an automatic backup generator. See Do I Need to Sign Up for and Use Mobile Link in Order to Operate My Generator? for more information.

Do I need to create an account and sign up for a Mobile Link subscription?

Creating a Mobile Link account is not required to connect the generator through the app. The connection wizard is available without signing in. Generac support recommends attempting the connection process first to confirm reliable network connectivity before subscribing to a Premium Mobile Link plan.

This article will include:

• Wi-Fi requirements
• Struggling to connect? Cellular option
• Video instructions
• Prepare the generator control panel for connection to a Wi-Fi Network
• Connect a generator to Wi-Fi using an Android Device
• Final Steps - check signal, time zone, and return generator to AUTO mode 
  
• Troubleshooting

Connectivity requirements

Before purchasing a subscription, homeowners should ensure that their generator has a reliable cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Refunds are not available for issues caused by poor connectivity. A Mobile Link device is required. For details, see the Mobile Link Wi-Fi, Cellular, and LTE device compatibility guide.

Wi-Fi requirements

• A dedicated 2.4 GHz network that supports 802.11b/g/n protocols is required. For more information, see Is My Wi-Fi Network Compatible With Mobile Link?
• 5 GHz or dual-band networks are not supported.
• Setting up a separate SSID for your 2.4 GHz network is strongly recommended to maintain a stable connection.

Struggling to connect or stay connected? 

Check network settings: Verify that your network meets the requirements outlined in this article to resolve most connectivity issues

Consider upgrading to cellular: Upgrading to the Connectivity Cellular Accessory is recommended for users who wish to add connectivity to their generator OR for users experiencing ongoing connectivity issues. It is compatible with more generators, and uses multiple carrier networks to offer greater coverage. Basic (free) and Premium cellular plans are available for users of this device. See here to upgrade: Connectivity Cellular Accessory.

Video instructions

 Prepare the generator control panel for connection to a Wi-Fi Network:

1. Go to the generator, unlock it, and raise the cover to the generator.
2. Locate the control panel on the right side of the open generator, then press the OFF button on the control panel.

Note: The control panel is the display screen and series of buttons pictured below.  

       

Note: The generator needs to be in the off mode (SWITCHED TO OFF) to access the Wi-Fi pairing mode and to ensure that the generator does not attempt to start during this process. The Final Steps section of this article will ensure the generator is returned to a READY TO RUN state after connecting.

3. Press the ESCAPE button to access the control panel's main menu. 

4. Using the up and down arrow keys above and below the ENTER button, press the down arrow to select the WIFI or SET UP WIFI option, then press the ENTER button.
 

5. After pressing the ENTER button on WIFI or SETUP WIFI, the screen will display one of the following: 

• If SETUP WIFI? is displayed, use the arrow keys to select YES and then press the ENTER button.
• If something other than SETUP WIFI? is displayed, use the arrow keys to scroll until REDO WIFI SETUP? NO is displayed, and press the ENTER button. Next, use the arrow keys to scroll until YES is displayed, and press the ENTER button again.
• If SEARCHING is displayed on the control panel, follow the steps in the sentence above to scroll up and redo the Wi-Fi setup.

Note: If the generator screen seems frozen or unresponsive, see: How Do I Perform a Hard Reset on a Home Standby System?

6. The generator's control panel should now display SET TO AP - Please Wait...  After two to three minutes, the screen should change and display SETUP WIFI NOW!

Note: If the control panel displays SET TO AP - PLEASE WAIT for more than 3 minutes or fails to advance to SETUP WIFI NOW! , the control panel may need to be reset. See What do I do when my Mobile Link Wi-Fi is stuck on "Set to AP, please wait..." during connection? for more information.

7. Once the screen displays SETUP WIFI NOW! the generator is ready for connection. See below to continue the setup in the app.

Note: A timer and a number beginning with MLG will alternate on-screen. This is normal. The MLG number will be referenced later in this process, and it may be helpful to write it down. See How Do I Find the WI-FI SSID on My Generator's Control Panel? for more information. 

Connect a generator to WiFi using an Android Device:

1. Download, install, and open the Mobile Link for Generators App from the Google Play Store.

Note: If Sign In or Get Started are not shown because the Mobile Link for Generators App is already installed and logged into, navigate to the MENU tab and log out. Please see How Do I Reconnect My Generator to a Wi-Fi Network if It Has Become Disconnected? for more information.

2. Tap the Get Started button.
 

3. Tap the I need to connect a Home Standby Generator to a home network option.


4. Tap the Connect Now button.


5. Tap the Integrated Wi-Fi option. If you have the External Wi-Fi/Ethernet adapter, see this article instead: Connecting the Wi-Fi/Ethernet Mobile Link device to your home network


6. A prompt will appear requesting permission to enable phone location data. Tap the Enable phone location button.
 

Note: The app requires this permission to facilitate the generator's connection to a Wi-Fi network. Without it, the app will display an error and fail to connect. See the Allowing Mobile Link Location and Notifications permissions in Android and iOS article for more information. 

7. A What does the display on your generator say? screen will appear.  Select the Setup WIFI Now! Timer counting down/SSID name shown option. If the generator control panel does not display "Setup WIFI Now!" option, select the matching option shown in the app.


8. A Wait until you see a timer... screen will appear.  Verify that a timer and MLGXXXXX are rotating on the generator's control panel screen, then tap the Yes, connect now button.

Note:  If the control panel fails to alternate between a countdown timer and MLGXXXXX it may need to be reset. Continue through the connection process first. If issues persist, see the How Do I Perform a Hard Reset on a Home Standby System? article for more information. 

9. Mobile Link will begin searching for a nearby MLG network. This may take a few seconds. Please wait for up to thirty seconds for the app screen to advance.

Note:  If the app screen fails to advance or displays an error message, "check your connection or try the process again",  the app may need to be reinstalled and the location permission enabled. See the Allowing Mobile Link Location and Notifications permissions in Android and iOS section for more information

10. A prompt will appear requesting permission to connect the phone to the generator's temporary network.  Verify that the MLG number listed on the phone screen matches the MLG number shown on the control panel's display, then click Connect.


11. Within a few seconds, the app will indicate that the connection to the temporary MLG network is established. 

12. The app will request confirmation of the MLG network name. Verify that the displayed MLG network name is correct, and tap the Continue button.


13. A list of available Wi-Fi networks should be displayed.  Select the Wi-Fi network name to which the generator should be connected.

Note: If a list does not automatically appear, tap the Refresh list of available networks option, the app will rescan for available networks in the area. See Is My Wi-Fi Network Compatible With Mobile Link? for more information.

14. Enter the password for the Wi-Fi network that was selected in the previous step, then press the Submit button.
 

Note: The Wi-Fi network password is the password used to connect to your internet. It is not the account password used to log in to the Mobile Link app. To ensure accuracy, the password must be entered twice. See the Why Is My Generator Giving Me a “Wrong Password” Error Message When Connecting to the Wi-Fi Network? article for more information.

15. Within a few moments, the Configuration sent screen will appear.  The generator has now been successfully connected to the selected Wi-Fi Network, however, it may take up to 15 minutes for information to update in the Mobile Link app.  Next steps are provided within the phone app. These next steps are also described in greater detail in the Final Steps section provided below.

Final Steps

1. Wait for the generator screen to say NOW CONNECTED, then press the ENTER button to continue. This typically happens within three to four minutes or less, but can sometimes take up to fifteen minutes.

2. The generator screen will display the signal strength. Verify that the signal strength is acceptable, then press the ENTER button.


 

Note: Signal strength of 30% or greater is recommended.  If lower than 30% signal strength is observed, consider adding a Wi-Fi booster or Extender to your network to improve connection reliability. See the  What should I do if I have a weak Wi-Fi signal strength? article for more information.

3. The generator control panel will display the Timezone. Select the correct timezone, then press the ENTER button to continue.

Note: If PLEASE SELECT HOUR is displayed, wait a few moments for the timezone information to be displayed. Alternatively, the current date and military time can be entered manually using the arrow keys.

4. After confirming the time or time zone, the display should return to the Main Menu. Using the arrow keys, select the SYSTEM option, then press the ENTER button.

Note: After selecting the time or timezone, if the screen displays something other than SYSTEM and the main menu, press ENTER or ESCAPE  to return to the main menu. Then, select the SYSTEM option, and press the ENTER button. 

5. The screen will display SWITCHED TO OFF. Press the AUTO button.



6. The generator should return to the READY TO RUN HOURS OF PROTECTION. The generator is prepared for the next outage. 



7. Press the EXIT SETUP button in the app. The generator is connected to Wi-Fi and ready for remote monitoring. 

8. Proceed with creating an account and adding the generator to the account. See How to Set up A Mobile Link Account via the App for more information.

Troubleshooting

If your generator will not connect to Wi-Fi, follow the steps below. Many issues are resolved by verifying the network type, improving signal strength, or re-running the connection in the Mobile Link app.

Note: Mobile Link Wi-Fi devices operate on 2.4 GHz only (802.11 b/g/n). Dual-band and mesh systems may require a dedicated 2.4 GHz SSID during setup.

1. Confirm your network is compatible: use a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network that supports 802.11 b/g/n. For details, see Is my Wi-Fi network compatible with Mobile Link?.
2. Turn off band steering or split your Wi-Fi into separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz SSIDs during setup. See Mobile Link Wi-Fi network spectrums and Why can’t I connect with an Eero?.
3. Improve signal strength: move the router closer, reduce interference/obstructions, or use a 2.4 GHz-only extender. See Weak signal strength tips.
4. Reconnect after changes to your Wi-Fi: if the network name or password was updated, open the Mobile Link app and run the re-connection flow. See Fix connection after password change or Reconnect a disconnected generator.
5. Can’t see your home network (hidden SSID)? Use the Mobile Link option to enter the SSID manually. See Connect when SSID is hidden.
6. App or controller stuck during setup? If the Mobile Link app won’t load, try the steps in Mobile Link app won’t load. If the controller shows “Set to AP, please wait…”, see “Set to AP” is stuck.
7. Keeps dropping offline? Review common causes and fixes in Mobile Link Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting.
8. Still not connecting? Work through the full checklist in Troubleshoot Mobile Link Wi-Fi errors. As a fallback on some legacy controllers, you can connect using a web browser and the generator’s local IP address; see Browser (legacy) connection method.

Related articles

• Is my Wi-Fi network compatible with Mobile Link?
• Mobile Link Wi-Fi network spectrums (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz)
• Why can’t I connect with an Eero?
• Mobile Link Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting
• Troubleshoot Mobile Link Wi-Fi errors
• Reconnect a disconnected generator
• Connect via web browser (legacy)