Connecting your Rain Bird sprinkler system to WiFi allows you to control and monitor your system remotely using a smartphone or computer. With WiFi connectivity, you can turn zones on and off, adjust watering schedules, check system status, and receive alerts if something isn’t working properly. This guide will walk you through the steps for connecting your Rain Bird controller to your home WiFi network.
What You’ll Need
Before getting started, make sure you have the following:
- A Rain Bird sprinkler controller that supports WiFi connectivity. Compatible models include the ESP-Me, ESP-TM2, ESP-RZXe, ESP-LXME, and LNK WiFi Module.
- The Rain Bird app installed on your smartphone or tablet (available for iOS and Android)
- Your home WiFi network name and password
- A strong WiFi signal that reaches the area where your sprinkler controller is located
Step 1: Enable WiFi on the Sprinkler Controller
The first step is to enable the WiFi radio on your Rain Bird controller. The steps to do this vary slightly depending on your specific model:
ESP-Me and ESP-TM2 Controllers
- Press the dial down to enter the menu
- Turn the dial to highlight Network Settings
- Press the dial again to select Network Settings
- Turn the dial to highlight WiFi
- Press the dial to toggle WiFi to On
ESP-LXME and ESP-LX Modular Controllers
- Press the Menu button
- Use the arrow keys to select Network Settings
- Select WiFi Settings
- Select WiFi Enable and choose On
ESP-RZXe Controller
- Press the Menu button twice
- Use the + and – buttons to select Network Settings
- Press the > button to select Network Settings
- Select WiFi Settings
- Select WiFi Enable and choose Yes
Once you’ve enabled WiFi, the controller display should indicate the radio is on.
Step 2: Connect to the Sprinkler Controller WiFi Network
Your Rain Bird controller broadcasts its own WiFi network that you’ll need to connect to temporarily to link it to your home WiFi. The default network name will be something like “RainBird-xxxx” where the x’s are a series of numbers and letters unique to your device.
On your smartphone or tablet, open the WiFi settings and locate the Rain Bird network. Connect to this network just like you would any other WiFi network. The password to join will be “sprinkler” by default on most models.
Step 3: Link the Controller to Your Home WiFi
Now that your device is connected directly to the sprinkler controller WiFi, you can link it to your home WiFi network using the Rain Bird app:
- Open the Rain Bird app and select your controller model if prompted
- Tap “WiFi Settings” on the main dashboard screen
- Select your home WiFi network name from the list
- Enter your WiFi password when prompted
- The app will communicate with the controller to link it to your home WiFi network
The process is complete when you see a “Connected” status underneath your home WiFi network name in the app. At this point you can disconnect your mobile device from the Rain Bird WiFi and reconnect to your normal network.
Step 4: Disconnect from Rain Bird WiFi Network
With your sprinkler controller now linked to your home WiFi network, you should disconnect your mobile device from the Rain Bird controller’s WiFi. Here is how to do this:
On iPhone/iPad
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi
- Locate the RainBird-xxxx network and tap the “Info” icon next to it
- Tap “Forget this Network”
- Reconnect to your home WiFi network
On Android
- Open WiFi settings
- Long press on the RainBird-xxxx network
- Tap “Forget network”
- Reconnect to your home WiFi network
Step 5: Connect the Rain Bird App to the Controller
With your mobile device now back on your home WiFi, you need to connect the Rain Bird app to your controller:
- Launch the Rain Bird app
- Tap the zone number in the center of the screen
- Select your controller from the list of available devices on your WiFi network
- The app will establish connection to the controller and you’ll be able to access all features
Alternative Method Using WPS
Some Rain Bird controllers also support connecting to your home WiFi network using WPS (WiFi Protected Setup). This allows you to link the device without having to enter your WiFi password. Here are the steps if your controller has WPS capability:
- Press the WPS button on your router to activate WPS pairing mode
- Go to WiFi Settings on your Rain Bird controller and select WPS
- The controller will automatically link to your WiFi network within 2 minutes without needing the password
- Open the Rain Bird app and connect to the controller to complete setup
Rain Bird App Features
Once connected via WiFi, the Rain Bird app allows you to:
- Remotely turn irrigation zones on and off
- View current zone status
- Adjust zone run times
- Set watering schedules
- View water usage
- Receive alerts for pipe breaks, stuck valves, and other issues
The app provides full control over your system from anywhere using your mobile device. Below are some of the key features explained in more detail.
Remote Zone Control
The Rain Bird app allows you to activate zones manually without having to walk back and forth to your controller. Just tap a zone on the app dashboard to open the valve for that zone. This makes it easy to quickly water one part of your yard or test a specific zone.
Watering Schedules
You can set up scheduled watering programs for your sprinkler system right from the app. Specify which days of the week to water, start times, zone run times, and more. The schedule will be synced to your WiFi-connected controller.
Zone Run Times
Adjust individual zone run times remotely through the app. This allows you to fine-tune watering durations for each section of your landscape. You can also set soil type and sun exposure for smarter run time recommendations.
Alerts
Get alerts from your Rain Bird system on your mobile device for issues like pipe breaks, stuck valves, low battery, and communication errors. Alerts allow you to quickly identify and troubleshoot problems.
Rain Watch
When paired with a Rain Bird rain sensor, the controller can automatically shut off watering when sufficient rainfall is detected. You can view rain detection status and override rain delays if needed.
FloWatch
Monitor water usage data through the app when using a Rain Bird flow sensor. View gallons used for each zone and set up leak alerts if abnormal flow is detected.
Smart Access
Generate temporary access codes to allow service technicians, landscapers, or other users temporary control of your system through the app without providing your personal login info.
Troubleshooting Rain Bird WiFi Issues
In some cases, you may encounter issues connecting your Rain Bird controller to WiFi or getting the app to consistently connect. Here are some steps to troubleshoot common problems:
Cannot Connect to Rain Bird WiFi Network
- Make sure WiFi is enabled on the controller
- Double check WiFi password is correct (default is “sprinkler”)
- Try power cycling the controller
- Move device closer to the controller temporarily
- Verify the controller has a strong WiFi signal in its location
App Cannot Discover Controller
- Confirm the controller is connected to the correct home WiFi network
- Check for app updates and install if available
- Reboot the controller and restart the app
- Temporarily move controller closer to WiFi router
- Factory reset the controller and reconfigure WiFi connection
App Loses Connection
- Check WiFi router placement and range
- Remove obstructions between the controller and router
- Switch to a stronger WiFi band (5GHz vs 2.4GHz)
- Change WiFi channels on router to reduce interference
- Confirm controller has latest firmware
Cannot Connect Controller to WiFi Network
- Double check home WiFi password entered correctly
- Try moving the controller closer to the WiFi router temporarily
- Reboot home WiFi router and controller
- Factory reset controller and re-configure WiFi settings
- Ensure router WiFi security mode is compatible (try WPA2 Personal)
Conclusion
Connecting a Rain Bird irrigation system to WiFi takes just a few steps but provides the powerful ability to fully control your sprinklers from anywhere. The Rain Bird mobile app offers convenience and can help identify issues early before they become bigger problems. Follow the setup process closely, confirm your WiFi settings, and leverage troubleshooting tips if you have difficulty getting linked up. With a stable connection to your home WiFi network, you’ll enjoy smart water management and remote access to your Rain Bird sprinkler controller.
