This article will show you what to do if you have an original MEATER probe that isn't connecting to its charger.
About MEATER Connection
Unlike our other models, there is no repeater function in the original MEATER charger. There is just a single Bluetooth connection directly between the probe and your phone or tablet.
When a probe can't connect to your mobile device, it will just show as grayed out in the MEATER app.
Steps to Reconnect the Probe
If the probe won't connect to the MEATER app at all, we have a few things you can try.
1. Check for Damage
See if any part of the probe seems loose, or is able to wiggle or twist at all. If any part of the probe moves, please contact our customer support team right away.
2. Charge Probe
The probe might need more time to charge if:
- Your MEATER is fresh out of the box.
- The probe hasn't been in the charger for a while.
The probe should be charged for at least 2 hours to be ready for a cook.
There won't be any indicator lights to let you know the probe is charging. But as long as the LED on the charger lights up green when you press the black button, the charger should be working and the probe should be able to charge while docked.
3. Clean Probe (Products Already Used for Cooks Only)
Cooking residue is the #1 reason for probes not connecting. This might look like obvious smoke buildup from the grill, or it might even be invisible grease polymerization. Any type of residue can block the contact between the probe and charger, which means the probe battery will be drained and the probe won't be able to connect for the next cook.
If you've got a probe that previously connected but won't anymore, try the following steps:
- Scrub the probe well with a scouring pad, or a mixture of baking soda and water.
- Pay special attention to the flat end.
- The stainless steel parts of the probe should be completely silver when you're done.
- Wipe the contact point on the charger with a dry cloth in case any residue transferred over.
- Dry the probe completely before charging.
- Let the probe charge for at least 2 hours.
You can also check out our video below to learn more about proper probe cleaning:
4. Check Probe Orientation
Make sure the probe is docked in the charger correctly, with the sharp end pointed up and the flat end aligned with the charger's contact point.
5. Check Phone/Tablet Settings
Make sure your probe can communicate with the MEATER app by trying the steps below:
- If this is your first time using your MEATER, find out whether our app supports your phone or tablet.
- Ensure that Bluetooth is turned on.
- Check that all relevant permissions are enabled.
- For iOS devices, Bluetooth needs to be allowed specifically for the MEATER app. You can do this by going to Settings > Privacy > Bluetooth and flipping the switch next to "MEATER".
- For Android devices using Android 11 or older, our app needs Location permission to scan for your MEATER devices. This is a requirement from Google that affects a lot of Android apps using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). To set this up:
- Turn on Location services in your mobile device Settings menu.
- Go to Settings > Apps > MEATER > Permissions and allow Location.
- For Android devices using Android 12 or newer, Nearby devices permission needs to be allowed. You can go to Settings > Apps > MEATER > Permissions to turn this on.
- If this is your first time pairing with any mobile device, try using a different phone or tablet to see if MEATER will pair with that one instead.
- If your MEATER is already paired with another mobile device, turn off Bluetooth on that other device while pairing to the new one.
- Try disconnecting any other Bluetooth devices you have paired with your mobile device (headphones, speakers, etc), and see if MEATER will pair while those are disconnected.
- Reboot your phone or tablet, then try again.
Next Steps
If your probe still won't connect in the MEATER app, please contact our Customer Support team for further help.