Your power meter works fine at first, but the Bluetooth connection with BikeCompanion keeps dropping during your ride?

This problem can have several causes: battery, a Bluetooth connection with another device, the sensor’s firmware, or the sensor’s internal state.

Here are the different checks to go through.

1. Check the sensor’s battery #

A power meter can keep working while its battery is starting to run low, yet cause disconnections or unstable behaviour.

Start by replacing the battery with a brand-new CR2032 from a reputable brand (not the cheapest ones on Amazon).

The battery brand and model can also matter. Some users have noticed better behaviour after switching battery brands.

For some sensors, it is also recommended to avoid CR2032 batteries with a bitter coating, which can cause poor electrical contact.

2. Make sure no other device is using the sensor #

A Bluetooth sensor can generally be connected to a limited number of devices at the same time, and some sensors only accept a single Bluetooth connection at a time.

In particular, check that your sensor is not already being used by:

• your GPS bike computer;
• your watch;
• the sensor manufacturer’s app;
• another app on your smartphone.

Close any apps that might be using the sensor before starting BikeCompanion.

3. Reset the sensor #

If the problem persists, it can help to fully restart the sensor.

On some sensors, removing the battery for a few seconds resets the electronics.

Special case: 4iiii sensors #

Depending on the model and the troubleshooting procedure, 4iiii recommends removing the battery and putting it back, or temporarily inserting it the wrong way round in order to reset the sensor.

This operation can resolve certain persistent Bluetooth connection problems.

Warning: the procedure can vary depending on the sensor model. Preferably check the manufacturer’s documentation before performing this operation.

Special case: Quarq #

Quarq also offers a hardware restart procedure for the sensor, designed in particular to drain the residual voltage in the electronics and reset its operation.

Here again, use the procedure that matches your model.

4. Update the sensor’s firmware #

If your sensor has a manufacturer’s app, check that it is running the latest available firmware version.

An update can fix Bluetooth communication problems, among other things.

5. Remove the sensor and add it again in BikeCompanion #

If the sensor used to work fine but is now having connection problems:

1. Remove the sensor from BikeCompanion.
2. Restart your smartphone.
3. Make sure the sensor is awake.
4. Add the sensor again from BikeCompanion.
5. Then start your activity.

Key takeaways #

If your power meter disconnects several times during a ride, start by replacing the battery, then make sure it is not connected to any other device.

If the problem persists, a hardware restart of the sensor may be necessary. This operation is particularly worthwhile on some 4iiii and Quarq sensors.

If the connection remains unstable despite all these checks, contact us and include the exact brand and model of the sensor, your smartphone and its iOS/Android version. This will help us investigate the cause of the problem more precisely.