Enphase Envoy-S-Standard Connection Guide

Thank you for visiting this troubleshooting page! Before continuing, review the following:

If you already have an Envoy-S-Standard and have been asked to perform troubleshooting, follow the guide in this article.
If you have just received a new Envoy-S-Standard to replace your Envoy-R, visit How to Install Your New Enphase Envoy-S or Gateway-S Standard Meter.
If you need to switch your S-Standard or S-Metered Envoy to Wi-Fi, due to the 3G Sunset, see How to Switch your Enphase Envoy-S or Envoy-IQ from Cellular Modem Communication to Wi-Fi Communication.
Enphase has recently renamed "Envoy" to "Gateway." They refer to the same device (i.e., "Gateway-S-Standard") that is covered in this article.

Your system communicates solar production information through your home internet network or through a cellular modem attachment. This communication is what allows Omnidian to monitor your system’s performance and alert you of performance issues as they arise. System communication is also required for any performance guarantee claims.

See overviews of solar hardware and internet equipment, followed by detailed power cycling instructions for your specific setup below:

Your Solar Hardware

Enphase Envoy-S-Standard

Electrical Service Panel and Combiner Box

Your Envoy-S-Standard may be located inside a combiner box, which should be specifically labeled as such. Here is an example of what a combiner box looks like:

Your Envoy-S-Standard may also be located near your breaker box or a subpanel, outside of any combiner boxes. Standard Service Panel labeled for Solar Inverter, Solar System, or PV:

AC Disconnect Lever

Powerline Adapters (PLA)

Multitech Modem

Enphase Microinverter: One of these units is attached to the back of each panel to help produce usable energy for your home. These microinverters (MIs for short) communicate their status directly to the Envoy.

Procedure

Your system is typically connected to the network via Ethernet, but some systems are connected wirelessly to the internet. You'll know by looking at your device whether it is Ethernet or cell-connected by checking to see if there is a Multitech Modem (pictured above) attached to the Envoy, which will have an antenna attached.

Review the three communication types below and determine how your system communicates. You can also confirm the communication type by viewing your Enphase Enlighten account.

System Connected via Ethernet

Ensure your internet hardware (e.g., modem, router) is properly set up and that you have functional internet in your home.

Note: The router and modem can be merged in one device, or they can be separated into two devices.

Example of a router and modem separated into two devices:

Modem and wireless router connected:

Example of the connections of a router and a modem merged in one device:

Ensure the Ethernet cable from the solar system is plugged into your internet (router).
Your solar system could be connected via Ethernet in one of these ways:
- Your solar system could have a direct connection via an ethernet cable:

Or your solar system could be connected with powerline adapters (PLAs).
- If you are using PLAs:
  1. Ensure you have two PLAs.
  2. Ensure the PLAs are plugged directly into a wall outlet; power strips, and surge protectors could impede communication.
    - One PLA is connected to one of the LAN ports of the router.
The other PLA is connected to the solar monitoring system.

System Connected Wirelessly

If your Envoy-S has no cellular modem attached and no Ethernet cord attached, it is likely communicating wirelessly.

Double-check this by visiting your Enphase Enlighten App and looking for Gateway, Communications, or Wi-Fi.

You can also check the bell icon on the top right of the app.
- You may want to use a browser other than Google Chrome when going through the steps, as there are reported issues with this browser.

Reconnect your system to Wi-Fi by visiting the Enphase official help pages listed below.
- They are the best resources and contain videos to help!
- There are two ways to reconnect to your Wi-Fi; we recommend trying the Manual method first, as this has worked more successfully during our troubleshooting calls:
  - Reconnecting your Envoy-S using Manual Wi-Fi setup
  - Reconnecting your Envoy-S using the Enphase App

System Connected via Multitech Modem

If you have identified that your Envoy-S meter communicates via a Multitech cell modem, it may have been affected by the 3G Sunset if it communicates via 3G.
- To confirm this, you'll need to check with Omnidian or directly with Enphase.
As noted above, if your Multitech modem is 3G, power cycling will not fix the issue.
- The best first approach is to try to connect the Envoy-S to your Wi-Fi signal.
If you do not have a strong wireless signal or wish to continue using cellular communications, a new Multitech modem can be purchased along with the cell plan required to activate it.
Check with us at Omnidian first before ordering a new modem to see if we can help save you money!
- Unfortunately, not all communication-related costs are under service warranties. We can find this out for you.

Troubleshoot

Once you've determined how your solar communications is set up, please follow the appropriate power cycling steps outlined below:

Ethernet-Connected System Power Cycle Guide

Unplug the router, the modem, and the Envoy.
Wait 30 seconds.
- If you have PLAs, unplug both PLAs.
Plug the modem back in.
Wait at least 60 seconds.
- Usually, the modems have four lights:
  - Power light
  - Received light
  - Send light
  - Activity light
    1. Ensure the first three lights are stable, indicating the modem is fully powered on.
Plug the router back in.
Wait at least two minutes.
- The lights on your router should start blinking.
Look at the router’s status indicator light.
- There should be a blinking or steady light for the internet connection.
Plug PLAs back in.
Ensure no circuit breakers have been tripped in your service panel or your solar subpanel/Combiner panel.
- These should be clearly labeled for Solar and/or Monitoring in your service panel(s).
- If a breaker is OFF, its handle may sometimes be in the middle.
- You may have to turn it all the way to the OFF position first before turning it to the ON position.
- Some systems have a separate AC Disconnect lever in addition to the dial located on your inverter.
  1. Ensure that the lever is in the ON position.
- If the Envoy-S displays a solid green light by the Cloud icon, the Envoy is connected to Enlighten.

Wi-Fi-Connected System Power Cycle Guide

Unplug the router, the modem, and the Envoy.
Wait 30 seconds.
Plug the modem back in.
Wait at least 60 seconds.
- Usually, the modems have four lights:
  - Power light
  - Received light
  - Send light
  - Activity light
    1. Ensure the first three lights are stable, indicating the modem is fully powered on.
Plug the router back in.
Wait at least two minutes.
- The lights on your router should start blinking.
Look at the router’s status indicator light.
- There should be a blinking or steady light for the internet connection.

Cellular-Connected System Power Cycle Guide (verified 4G, not 3G)

Unplug the modem power cords from the Envoy (there may be one or two USB cords going from the modem to the Envoy).
Unplug the Envoy-S from the outlet
Wait 30 seconds
Plug the Multitech modem back into the Envoy-S
Plug the Envoy-S back into the outlet

After troubleshooting, the Envoy status lights will confirm if troubleshooting was successful:

Network Comms (cloud with up arrow) - green light when successfully communicating (note, red lights during bad weather are not uncommon)
AP Mode (phone with arrow, normally off) - used when switching to Wi-Fi communications
Power Production (lightning bolt) - green light indicates system is successfully producing (with some exceptions)
MI Comms (2 arrows) - green light indicates all microinverters are communicating with the Envoy (with some exceptions)
For more details on LED light status, visit: How to read the LED Status Lights on your meter.