WxBlox Support

Help & documentation

WxBlox support

Set up your WxBlox, read its display and lights at a glance, and sort out the occasional hiccup.

Not an official source of weather information.

Always obtain a formal weather briefing before flight. In the US, call 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433).

What's in the box

WxBlox display8-digit display and four flight-category lights
USB-C cablePowers the display
No power adapterUse any USB charger you already own

Why there's no power adapter

Almost everyone already has a drawer of USB chargers. Leaving the adapter out keeps the price down and means one less charger headed for a landfill. WxBlox works with any USB phone charger, USB wall outlet, or powered USB port (including a computer's).

You'll also need

  • A USB power source: a phone charger, a USB wall outlet, or a computer's USB port.
  • A 2.4 GHz WiFi network with internet access (most home routers provide one; see 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz).
  • A phone, tablet or laptop with WiFi and a web browser, for the few minutes of setup. No app or account needed.
  • Your airport's 4-letter ICAO code, such as KHPN. Most US airports are a K plus their usual 3-letter code. Not sure your airport reports weather? Check it on wxblox.com.

Quick start

Setup happens in your phone's web browser. There's no app to install and no account to create.

Get to know your WxBlox

Front of WxBlox A square case with sharp, square corners. Four square light windows sit in two rows of two, lights 1 and 2 on top and 3 and 4 below, and the 8-digit display runs across the middle between the two rows. 1234 1 2
Front
Back of WxBlox The back of the square case has a USB-C power port and a small round setup button, the only button on the device. 3 4
Back
  1. Display: eight red 7-segment digits in the slot across the middle, showing weather, the time and status messages.
  2. Lights: four square windows that each glow in a flight-category color, two above the display (lights 1 and 2) and two below (3 and 4). See the four lights.
  3. USB-C port: power in. Any 5 V USB source works.
  4. Setup button: the only button. Hold it while plugging in to open setup.

Illustrations are schematic and not to scale.

  1. Plug it in

    Connect the USB-C cable to the back of WxBlox and to any USB charger or port. It runs a quick self-test (each light shows red, green and blue while the digits count 0–9), shows its firmware version for two seconds, then shows SEtUP: it's waiting for you to tell it your WiFi.

  2. Join “WxBlox-Setup” on your phone

    Open your phone's WiFi settings and pick the network named WxBlox-Setup. It's an open network, so there's no password.

    It only appears while the display shows SEtUP. If your phone warns that the network has no internet, that's expected: choose to stay connected.

  3. The setup page opens

    After a few seconds your phone should pop up the WxBlox setup page by itself (on iPhone it slides up as a sign-in sheet; on Android, tap the “Sign in to network” notification).

    If nothing appears, open your web browser and go to http://192.168.4.1. Type the http:// part; https:// won't work for this address.

  4. Choose your WiFi

    In 1 · WiFi, tap Scan to list nearby networks (strongest first) and tap yours, or type its name. Then enter your WiFi password; the Show toggle lets you check it. Passwords are case-sensitive.

    Only 2.4 GHz networks can appear. If yours is missing, see 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz.

  5. Choose your airport

    In 2 · Airport, leave One airport selected and type a 4-character ICAO code, for example KHPN.

    WxBlox carries its own list of weather stations, so the setup page checks the code as you type, with no internet needed. The line under the box tells you what it found:

    • KHPN · White Plains/Westchester Cnty, NY · METAR and TAFAll set: weather reports and a forecast.
    • WxBlox doesn't recognize KHNP. Check it for a typo.Usually with a Did you mean KHPN? button, for a missing K (HPN) or two letters swapped. The page still saves a code it doesn't recognize, since its list can be out of date, but if the code really has no weather WxBlox shows no dAtA (see below).
    • KMGJ · Montgomery/Orange Cnty, NY · METAR, no TAFThe airport reports weather but issues no forecast, and the forecast lights need one. The page offers the choices shown in the picture: use the forecast from one of the two nearest airports that do (straight-line distance), or run the lights without one as History or Breakdown. Nothing is borrowed unless you pick it. More about these choices

    Not sure which to pick? Try your code in the preview below. It offers the same choices and shows what each one looks like.

    Want to watch several? Choose Several airports and add up to 10 codes. Each one gets the same check, shown after its code: no TAF, TAF KSWF once you've picked a forecast airport, or a red ? for a code WxBlox doesn't recognize. Tap an airport to see its check and choices. WxBlox then rotates through them (every 3, 5, 10 or 30 seconds) showing one reading for each: temperature, wind speed, or wind direction. See multi-airport layout.

  6. Adjust anything else (optional)

    The folded sections, Display, Lights, Time, Extras and Firmware, hold everything else: brightness, °F/°C, your time zone, the light mode and more. The defaults are sensible, so you can skip them now and come back any time. Every option is explained under Settings.

    The page footer shows the firmware version and your Device ID. Support may ask for it. On phones, Save & Restart stays pinned to the bottom of the screen.

  7. Tap Save & Restart

    WxBlox restarts and joins your WiFi. You'll see a single segment spinning while it connects, then API... while the first weather loads, then live weather, usually within about a minute. Your phone will reconnect to your normal WiFi on its own.

    Connecting to WiFi
    Loading the first weather
    Weather! (temperature 54, dew point 41)

Try it with your airport

Type the code you'll enter in step 5 to see what WxBlox will show for that airport right now, using the default display settings (°F, inHg, 24-hour clock). Switch the light mode to compare them. If the airport doesn't issue a forecast, you get the same choices the setup page offers.

Or try

Light mode

The preview needs JavaScript.

    If you see no dAtA, the airport code is wrong

    WxBlox found no weather for the code you entered, so the display shows no dAtA and all four lights stay dim white. It's almost always a typo (KHNP for KHPN) or a 3-letter code without its K (HPN), and the setup page will usually have warned you that it didn't recognize the code. Hold the button on the back while you plug WxBlox in, and fix the code under 2 · Airport. If the code is right, that airport has no weather station of its own: pick the nearest one that does.

    If the WiFi name or password is wrong

    Right after setup, WxBlox shows PASSbAd (password rejected) or no SSId (network not found) for a few seconds, then goes back into setup mode by itself. Rejoin WxBlox-Setup: the setup page opens with a banner at the top explaining what went wrong, and your other settings are still filled in.

    Changing settings later

    1. Unplug WxBlox.
    2. Press and hold the button on the back.
    3. While holding it, plug WxBlox back in. Release the button when SEtUP appears.
    4. Join WxBlox-Setup again. Everything you saved before is already filled in; the WiFi password box says “leave blank to keep current password”.
    5. Change what you like and tap Save & Restart.

    What you'll see every time it starts

    1. Self-test (about 6 seconds): each light shows red, green and blue in turn while all eight digits count 0–9.
    2. Firmware version for 2 seconds, e.g. v2.0.31 P (the letter at the far right marks the release type).
    3. Connecting: a single segment spins around one digit.
    4. API... while the first weather loads.
    5. Weather.

    Reading the display

    With one airport, WxBlox rotates through six screens, five seconds each: temperature/dew point, wind, clouds, altimeter, time and the airport code, plus a seventh when the forecast lights use another airport's forecast. Try it below: pick a screen, a weather example, or change the settings exactly as you would on the setup page.

    The simulator needs JavaScript. The tables below describe every screen.

    Screen
    Layout
    Mode indicator style
    Transition
    Temperature
    Altimeter
    Clock
    Extras

    The screens

    Looks likeWhat it means

    Temperature / dew point

    Left: temperature. Right: dew point. Whole degrees in °F or °C (your choice). Below zero gets a minus sign, e.g. -3 -11 in °C.

    Wind

    270.15.25 = from 270° (true) at 15 knots, gusting 25 knots. Without gusts the last two digits are blank: 270.15. Variable direction: Vrb.05. Calm: CALnn (“nn” is how the display spells a lowercase m).

    Clouds / ceiling

    In hundreds of feet above the ground. Left: the lowest cloud layer. Right: the ceiling (lowest broken or overcast layer, or vertical visibility). 025 040 = clouds at 2,500 ft, ceiling 4,000 ft. nonE on the right = clouds, but no ceiling. CLr = no clouds reported.

    Altimeter

    Inches of mercury (29.92, the default) or hectopascals (1013).

    Time

    Local time in your chosen time zone; the colon (a decimal point) blinks. In 12-hour mode an A or P appears at the left. ---- means the clock hasn't synced yet. It sets itself over the internet shortly after connecting.

    Airport

    The ICAO code of the airport being shown.

    Forecast from (only when you pick one)

    Appears right after the airport screen when your airport has no TAF and you chose a nearby airport's forecast in setup: tAF.KSWF means the forecast lights are using KSWF's TAF. Everything else on the display is still your airport. See airports without a forecast.

    Fog alert (optional)

    Joins the rotation only if you turn on Fog alert and the temperature and dew point are within 2 °C (4 °F) of each other, when fog and low clouds become likely. The number is the spread in your unit.

    Data age (automatic)

    Appears only when the weather is stale: minutes since the observation was taken (AGE --- means more than 999). The lights blink slowly at the same time.

    Which screen am I looking at?

    With the default Segment style, the leftmost digit isn't a number: a single lit segment marks the screen, moving clockwise as the screens go by.

    Temp / dew Wind Clouds Altimeter Time Airport Fog / Age / TAF
    • TopTemperature / dew point
    • Upper rightWind
    • Lower rightClouds / ceiling
    • BottomAltimeter
    • Lower leftTime
    • Upper leftAirport
    • Middle barFog alert, data age, or the airport the forecast comes from

    Prefer words? Choose Labels under Mode indicator style. Before each screen its name flashes for 0.8 seconds, then the value shows, with no indicator digit. (The fog, age and forecast-airport screens already say FOG, AGE and tAF.)

    Temperature
    Wind
    Clouds
    Altimeter
    Time
    Airport

    Transitions

    How one screen changes to the next: Flash switches instantly, Wipe sweeps a blank across the digits, and Slide scrolls the old screen off to the left as the new one comes in from the right. Pick one in the simulator above to see it.

    Multi-airport layout

    With Several airports the left four digits show the airport code and the right three show the reading you chose, temperature, wind speed (knots) or wind direction (degrees), switching airport every 3, 5, 10 or 30 seconds. The lights always show the airport currently on screen.

    KHPN, temperature 54°
    KISP, no data yet

    Each airport refreshes in the background about every 5 minutes. An airport that hasn't loaded yet shows ---.

    Show time only (single-airport mode): the display stays on the clock while the lights keep showing the weather. Handy on a desk or nightstand.

    The four lights

    Each light is a square window that glows in a flight-category color: green VFR, blue MVFR, red IFR, magenta LIFR. Light 1 is always current conditions. What lights 2–4 show depends on the light mode: two modes read the airport's forecast (TAF), two use only its weather reports (METARs).

    Forecast

    Classic (default)

    1
    Now
    2
    Best forecast for the rest of the TAF
    3
    Worst forecast for the rest of the TAF
    4
    A color blend of 1–3, for an overall glance

    Forecast

    Timeline

    1
    Now
    2
    Worst in the next 0–3 hours
    3
    Worst in 3–6 hours
    4
    Worst from 6 hours to the end of the TAF

    METAR only

    History

    1
    Latest report
    2
    The report before
    3
    Two reports back
    4
    Three reports back, the oldest

    Read it as a trend: here, IFR three reports back and clearing since. It fills in as reports arrive, about one an hour at most airports, so all four are lit about three hours after start-up. Until then the rest stay off.

    METAR only

    Breakdown

    1
    Overall category, same as Now
    2
    Visibility on its own
    3
    Ceiling on its own
    4
    Wind, colored by speed (scale below)

    Shows what's behind the category. Here: MVFR because of a low ceiling, with good visibility and 18 knots gusting 24.

    Breakdown light 4: wind, in knots
    Green, yellow-green, yellow, orange, red. The light uses the stronger of the steady wind and the gust, so 12 gusting 28 counts as 28 and shows orange. Calm is green.
      Light mode
      Airports without a forecast
      Also show

      Airports without a forecast

      Only some airports issue a TAF, usually the busier ones. Many smaller airports report the weather but have no forecast of their own, and Classic and Timeline need one for lights 2–4. Setup spots this as soon as you type the code (step 5) and offers two ways to go.

      Use a nearby airport's forecast

      The setup page lists the two nearest airports that issue a TAF, nearest first, by straight-line distance: Use KSWF’s forecast, Newburgh/Stewart Intl, NY, 7 nm. Pick one and lights 2–4 follow its TAF in Classic and Timeline. Light 1, the display and everything else stay on your airport, and the display adds a tAF.KSWF screen so you can tell.

      Straight-line distance isn't everything: an airport across a ridge or on the coast can have different weather from yours. Pick the one whose weather usually matches.

      Run the lights on METAR only

      Pick No forecast: History or No forecast: Breakdown and lights 2–4 show your own airport's reports instead: the last four of them, or the pieces of the latest one. One of these is already selected (Breakdown, out of the box), so nothing is borrowed unless you pick it. You can also make History or Breakdown your light mode for every airport; then setup doesn't ask, since neither needs a forecast.

      Lights 2–4 never just sit dark for lack of a TAF. Without a forecast airport, or when the one you picked stops issuing TAFs, Classic and Timeline show that airport with your Airports without a forecast setting instead (Breakdown, unless you change it). With several airports this works airport by airport: one with a TAF shows its forecast, the next one without shows History or Breakdown. Try the “No TAF” scenario in the simulator above.

      Off, dim white, blinking

      • Off: nothing to show for that light right now. In Timeline, the TAF ends before that light's window (some airports' forecasts stop overnight). In History, that report hasn't come in yet. In Breakdown, the report left out the visibility.
      • Dim white: loading, or no data yet.
      • All four blinking slowly (1 second on, 1 second off): the weather is stale. The observation is more than 90 minutes old, or WxBlox hasn't refreshed successfully for 20 minutes. The AGE screen joins the rotation until fresh data arrives.
      • Light 1 blinking for 10 seconds: current conditions just changed category (only if Category-change alert is on).
      • Much dimmer: night dimming is active.

      How the forecast is read

      • TEMPO (temporary) groups count toward the “worst” forecast.
      • PROB30/PROB40 (probability) groups are ignored.
      • Groups that only change some things (say, just the visibility) keep everything else from the main forecast.
      • With a forecast airport picked, these rules apply to that airport's TAF.

      Settings

      Everything below lives on the setup page (how to open it), in the same order. Your choices are kept when you change other settings, when the power goes out, and through firmware updates.

      1 · WiFi

      NetworkScan, or type a name

      Scan lists nearby 2.4 GHz networks, strongest first, with duplicates removed; tap one to pick it. You can also type the name exactly (it's case-sensitive).

      Passwordwith a Show toggle

      Your WiFi password, case-sensitive. When you return to setup later, leave it blank to keep the saved password. Open networks need no password. WPA2/WPA3-Personal and open networks are supported; enterprise and sign-in-page networks are not (why).

      2 · Airport

      One airportone 4-character ICAO code

      The airport to show, e.g. KHPN. The display rotates through all six screens for it.

      Airport checkautomatic, as you type

      Each code is looked up in the station list built into WxBlox (no internet needed) and the result shows under it: KHPN · White Plains/Westchester Cnty, NY · METAR and TAF, or METAR, no TAF for an airport without a forecast. A code that isn't in the list gets WxBlox doesn't recognize KHNP. Check it for a typo. and usually a Did you mean KHPN? button (for a missing K or two swapped letters). An unrecognized code still saves, because the list can be out of date. The list's date is in the setup page footer (Airport list 2026-11-02); firmware updates bring newer lists.

      Forecast fromonly for an airport with no TAF

      Appears under an airport that reports weather but issues no forecast, when the light mode is Classic or Timeline: the two nearest airports that do (Use KSWF’s forecast, Newburgh/Stewart Intl, NY, 7 nm), No forecast: History or No forecast: Breakdown. A forecast airport drives lights 2–4; the display and light 1 stay on your airport. Picking a No forecast option also sets Airports without a forecast. With History or Breakdown as the light mode there's nothing to choose: the page just notes that the mode doesn't use a forecast. More

      Default: the No forecast option that matches Airports without a forecast (Breakdown)
      Several airportsup to 10 codes

      Rotates through several airports, one reading each (see multi-airport layout). Every airport gets the same check, shown after its code: no TAF, TAF KSWF once a forecast airport is picked, or a red ? for an unrecognized code. Tap an airport to open its check and choices below the list; adding one without a TAF, or one WxBlox doesn't recognize, opens them by itself.

      Time per airport3 · 5 · 10 · 30 seconds

      How long each airport stays on screen in multi-airport mode.

      Default: 5 seconds
      Right side showsTemperature · Wind speed · Wind direction

      The one reading shown next to each airport code in multi-airport mode.

      Default: Temperature

      Display (folded section)

      BrightnessDim · Medium · Bright

      Sets the display and the lights together.

      Default: Medium
      Temperature°F · °C

      Unit for temperature, dew point and the fog-alert spread.

      Default: °F
      AltimeterinHg · hPa

      Inches of mercury (29.92) or hectopascals (1013).

      Default: inHg
      Mode indicator styleSegment · Labels

      Segment: one segment on the leftmost digit marks the screen. Labels: each screen's name flashes for 0.8 s first. Compare them.

      Default: Segment
      TransitionFlash · Wipe · Slide

      How screens change: instantly, with a blank sweeping across, or sliding left. The setup page shows a small animated preview of each.

      Default: Flash
      Show time onlyon · off

      Single-airport mode only: the display stays on the clock and the lights keep showing the weather.

      Default: Off

      Lights (folded section)

      Light modeClassic · Timeline · History · Breakdown

      Classic: now, best ahead, worst ahead, and a blend. Timeline: now, 0–3 h, 3–6 h, 6 h+. History: the last four reports, newest first. Breakdown: overall, visibility, ceiling and wind. Details and simulator.

      Default: Classic
      Airports without a forecastHistory · Breakdown

      Shown when the light mode is Classic or Timeline: what the lights show for an airport with no forecast to read, meaning no TAF of its own and no forecast airport picked, or a forecast airport that has stopped issuing one. More

      Default: Breakdown
      Night dimmingon · off, start and end hour

      Between the start and end hour (your local time) the display drops to its lowest brightness and the lights to about 10%. Needs the clock to be synced and uses the time zone you pick under Time.

      Default: Off (22:00 → 06:00 when turned on)

      Time (folded section)

      Time zoneUTC · Eastern · Central · Mountain · Arizona · Pacific · Alaska · Hawaii

      Used for the clock screen and night dimming. Daylight saving time is handled automatically (Arizona and Hawaii don't observe it).

      Default: UTC
      Clock12-hour · 24-hour

      12-hour mode shows A or P at the left of the time.

      Default: 24-hour

      Extras (folded section)

      Fog alerton · off

      Adds a FOG screen whenever the temperature–dew point spread is 2 °C (4 °F) or less.

      Default: Off
      Category-change alerton · off

      When current conditions change category, the display shows the new one for 3 seconds (VFr, nnVFr, IFr or LIFr) and light 1 blinks for 10 seconds. Not shown for the first reading after power-on.

      Default: Off

      Firmware (folded section)

      Check for a firmware update right after restarttick box

      Checks for an update as soon as WxBlox reconnects, instead of waiting for the regular schedule. See firmware updates.

      Default: Off

      Status codes

      Short messages WxBlox shows instead of weather, and what to do about each.

      DisplayMeaningWhat to do
      Setup & WiFi
      Setup modeJoin the WiFi network WxBlox-Setup on your phone. Quick start
      Connecting to WiFiWait.
      WiFi password rejectedRe-enter setup (hold the button while plugging in) and retype the password. More
      WiFi network not foundCheck the network name; it must be 2.4 GHz; move closer to the router. More
      Couldn't connect to WiFi (other reason)Restart the router and WxBlox; re-enter setup. More
      WiFi dropped; retrying every 30 secondsWait; check your router. More
      Weather
      Loading weatherWait (normally under a minute).
      This device isn't activated with the WxBlox serviceEmail support@wxblox.com with the Device ID from the setup page.
      No weather for the airport code you entered: usually a typoFix the code in setup. Check it in the preview first. More
      Weather temporarily unavailable; retrying (after 30 s, then 1, 2, 4, 5 minutes…)Wait. More
      Weather is stale: minutes since the observation (lights blink slowly)Usually nothing; it clears when a new report arrives. More
      Firmware updates
      Checking for a firmware updateNothing.
      Already up to dateNothing.
      Update found, installingDon't unplug.
      Downloading the updateDon't unplug.
      Couldn't reach the update serverNothing; it retries automatically.
      Update installed and confirmedNothing.
      The new firmware failed its checks; going back to the previous versionNothing; WxBlox protects itself. More
      Alerts (optional)
      		Current conditions just changed to VFR, MVFR, IFR or LIFR (shown 3 s; light 1 blinks 10 s)Nothing. Turn it on or off under Extras.
      Fog alert: temperature–dew point spread (here 2°)Nothing. Turn it on or off under Extras.

      Flight categories

      Every light is one of four colors, set by the cloud ceiling and the visibility, whichever is worse.

      VFR

      Visual Flight Rules

      Ceiling above 3,000 ft AGL and visibility above 5 statute miles.

      Light: green

      MVFR

      Marginal VFR

      Ceiling 1,000–3,000 ft and/or visibility 3–5 miles.

      Light: blue

      IFR

      Instrument Flight Rules

      Ceiling 500 to below 1,000 ft and/or visibility 1 to below 3 miles.

      Light: red

      LIFR

      Low IFR

      Ceiling below 500 ft and/or visibility below 1 mile.

      Light: magenta

      Ceiling means the lowest broken (BKN) or overcast (OVC) cloud layer, or the vertical visibility into fog or haze. Few or scattered clouds don't make a ceiling, which is why the clouds screen can show clouds with nonE for the ceiling.

      Example: a 2,000 ft overcast (MVFR) with 2 miles of visibility (IFR) is IFR, because the worse of the two wins.

      Firmware updates

      WxBlox keeps itself up to date. There's nothing to install and no computer needed.

      • When: about 30 minutes after it's plugged in (plus a random 0–5 minutes, so not every WxBlox asks at once), then every 48 hours while it stays on.
      • What you'll see: ChECFor, then either no UPdt (nothing new) or UP2dAtE and dL with a spinner while it downloads, a restart, and FLASHEd once the new version is confirmed.
      • Please don't unplug while UP2dAtE or dL is showing.
      • Automatic rollback: after installing, the new version must pass its own checks. If it doesn't, WxBlox shows rollbAC, returns to the previous version by itself, and won't try that version again. A later, fixed version installs normally.

      Checking for an update right away

      1. Open setup (hold the button while plugging in).
      2. Open the Firmware section and tick Check for a firmware update right after restart.
      3. Tap Save & Restart. WxBlox checks as soon as it reconnects.

      Which version do I have? It's shown for two seconds at every start-up (e.g. v2.0.31 P) and in the setup page footer.

      Troubleshooting

      Unplugging WxBlox for a few seconds and plugging it back in fixes many one-off problems. If not, find what you're seeing below.

      Nothing at all on the display

      • Try a different USB charger, port or cable. Some power strips and computer ports switch off (for example when the computer sleeps).
      • Make sure the USB-C plug is pushed fully into the back of WxBlox.

      The setup page didn't open

      1. Check that the display shows SEtUP and that your phone is connected to WxBlox-Setup (not your home WiFi).
      2. Give it 10–15 seconds. On iPhone the page slides up by itself; on Android, look for a “Sign in to network” notification and tap it.
      3. Open your browser and go to http://192.168.4.1 (with http://, not https).
      4. If your phone says the network has no internet, choose to stay connected or use the network anyway.
      5. Still nothing? Turn off mobile data and any VPN or ad-blocking app for a minute; some phones send the browser over the cellular network when WiFi has no internet.
      6. Last resort: “forget” WxBlox-Setup in your WiFi settings and join it again, or use a different phone, tablet or laptop.

      I can't find “WxBlox-Setup” in my WiFi list

      It only exists while the display shows SEtUP. If WxBlox is showing weather or an error instead, hold the button while plugging it in. Then refresh your phone's WiFi list and stay within a few feet of WxBlox.

      2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz: my network isn't in the Scan list

      WxBlox uses 2.4 GHz WiFi only (802.11 b/g/n), like most smart-home gadgets. A network that's 5 GHz-only won't appear and can't be used.

      • Most routers broadcast both bands, often under one name. That's fine: WxBlox simply uses the 2.4 GHz side.
      • If your router has separate names (e.g. “HomeNetwork” and “HomeNetwork-5G”), pick the one without 5G.
      • If 2.4 GHz is switched off in your router's settings, turn it on.

      Mesh WiFi and “band steering”

      Mesh systems and routers with band steering (also called “smart connect”) put both bands under one name. WxBlox works with them normally. If setup ends in no SSId or Err Conn:

      • Do the setup with WxBlox closer to the main router or a mesh point, then move it.
      • If your router app offers a separate 2.4 GHz network, an “IoT network”, or a temporary “pause 5 GHz” option, use it during setup.
      • Check that the router isn't limiting new devices (for example a device limit or an allow-list of approved devices).

      Hotel, school, office or airport WiFi

      Not supported. WxBlox can't use networks that need a sign-in or “accept terms” page (hotels, airports, cafés), or a username and password (enterprise/802.1X networks at offices and schools). It works with home-style networks: WPA2 or WPA3-Personal, or open.

      Away from home, a phone hotspot works. Set it to 2.4 GHz: on iPhone turn on Maximize Compatibility under Personal Hotspot; on Android choose the 2.4 GHz band in the hotspot settings.

      Password rejected

      Right after setup, WxBlox goes back to setup mode by itself after a few seconds; rejoin WxBlox-Setup and you'll see a banner explaining the problem. Retype the password carefully (it's case-sensitive; use Show to check it).

      Illustration; the exact wording may differ.

      If PASSbAd appears on a WxBlox that used to work, the router's password has probably changed: open setup and enter the new one.

      Network not found

      • Check the network name: it must match exactly, including capitals and spaces. Picking it from Scan avoids typos.
      • It must be a 2.4 GHz network.
      • Move WxBlox closer to the router, and make sure the router is on.

      Couldn't connect

      WxBlox found your network but couldn't join it for some other reason. Restart your router and unplug and replug WxBlox. If it continues, open setup and save your WiFi details again, and see mesh WiFi and unsupported networks.

      WiFi dropped

      WxBlox was connected but lost the network, for example while the router restarts. It retries every 30 seconds on its own and doesn't go back to setup. If it never recovers, check that your router and internet are working. If you've changed router, network name or password, see below.

      Not activated

      This WxBlox isn't activated with the WxBlox weather service yet. Email support@wxblox.com with its Device ID (shown at the bottom of the setup page) and we'll sort it out.

      No weather for this airport

      You put in an airport code WxBlox can't find weather for. The lights stay dim white until it's fixed.

      • Check the code: it must be the 4-character ICAO code (KHPN, not HPN), and a one-letter typo (KHNP) is enough. Try it in the preview, then hold the button while plugging in and fix it in setup.
      • Not every airport reports weather, and some only report during certain hours. Try the code in the airport checker on wxblox.com; if it finds nothing, pick the nearest airport that does.

      Weather temporarily unavailable

      WxBlox couldn't get weather just now and is retrying: after 30 seconds, then 1, 2, 4 and 5 minutes. Usually it clears on its own. If it lasts more than an hour while your internet works, contact support.

      Lights blinking slowly, or AGE on the display

      The weather is stale: the airport's latest report is more than 90 minutes old, or WxBlox hasn't been able to refresh for 20 minutes. Often the airport's weather station has simply stopped reporting for a while. If several airports show it, check your internet connection.

      The forecast lights aren't showing a forecast

      • Your airport doesn't issue a TAF. In Classic or Timeline, lights 2–4 then show your Airports without a forecast style instead (Breakdown unless you changed it). For forecast lights, open setup and pick one of the two nearby airports offered under your code. More
      • The forecast airport you picked stopped issuing TAFs (some do overnight, or for a season). Same thing: the lights fall back until its TAF returns. You can pick the other suggestion in setup.
      • Timeline, late in the day: the TAF may end before light 4's window (6 hours and beyond), so that light goes off until the next forecast is issued.
      • History, right after start-up: lights 2–4 fill in as new reports arrive, about one an hour.

      Moving house, new router or new WiFi password

      WxBlox remembers your old network and keeps retrying it (rEtrY), or shows PASSbAd or no SSId. Open setup (hold the button while plugging in), pick the new network, enter its password and tap Save & Restart. Your airport and other settings stay as they were.

      It shows SEtUP every time I plug it in

      Either setup was never finished with Save & Restart, or the button on the back is being pressed while it powers on. Make sure nothing is pushing on the button (a tight shelf, a cable), then complete setup.

      Starting over (“factory reset”)

      There's no separate reset: every setting lives on the setup page. Open setup, change whatever you like (WiFi, airport, display, lights, time) and tap Save & Restart.

      Wrong time, or ---- on the clock

      Pick your time zone under Time in setup (the default is UTC). Right after start-up the clock shows ---- until it has synced over the internet; that normally takes moments after WxBlox connects.

      Frequently asked questions

      Why isn't there a power adapter in the box?

      Almost everyone already owns several USB chargers. Leaving it out keeps WxBlox's price down and means less e-waste. The USB-C cable is included.

      What charger should I use?

      Any standard USB charger: a phone charger, a USB wall outlet, a power strip with USB ports. WxBlox runs on plain 5 V USB power. A “fast” or high-wattage charger is fine; it only supplies what WxBlox asks for. If your charger's socket doesn't match the included cable, any cable with USB-C on the WxBlox end works.

      Can I power it from a computer or other USB port?

      Yes. Any powered USB port works: computers, monitors, USB hubs, some TVs and cars. Note that many computers cut power to their ports when they sleep, which turns WxBlox off too. It starts up again by itself when power returns.

      How much power does it use?

      Very little. WxBlox is rated 5V ⎓ 0.5A, so it never draws more than about 2.5 watts, and lower brightness or night dimming uses less.

      Does it need the internet all the time?

      Yes. WxBlox downloads fresh weather every few minutes and sets its clock over the internet, so it needs a working WiFi connection. If the connection drops it keeps retrying (rEtrY); if the weather gets old, the lights blink slowly so you know.

      Does it work with 5 GHz WiFi?

      No. WxBlox uses 2.4 GHz WiFi only. Most routers offer both bands, often under one name, and that works fine. See 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz and mesh WiFi.

      Which airports can I use?

      Any airport or weather station with a 4-character ICAO code that publishes METAR weather reports through the NOAA Aviation Weather Center. For most US airports that's a K plus the familiar 3-letter code (KHPN for Westchester, KJFK for JFK); Alaska and Hawaii codes start with P (e.g. PANC, PHNL).

      The setup page checks each code as you type it, and you can test any code with the preview above or the airport checker on wxblox.com. Both show exactly what WxBlox will get.

      My airport has weather reports but no forecast (TAF). Will it work?

      Yes. The display and light 1 (current conditions) work normally. For lights 2–4, setup offers the two nearest airports that do issue a TAF, so the forecast lights can use one of their forecasts, or to run the lights without one: History (the last four reports) or Breakdown (overall, visibility, ceiling, wind). Breakdown is selected unless you pick something else. See airports without a forecast, and try your code in the preview.

      Why are some of the lights off?

      A light is off when it has nothing to show right now:

      • In Timeline, the TAF ends before that light's window. Some airports' forecasts stop overnight, so light 4 (6 hours and beyond) can go dark late in the day.
      • In History, that report hasn't come in yet: the lights fill in over about three hours after start-up.
      • In Breakdown, light 2 is off when the report leaves out the visibility.

      An airport with no TAF at all doesn't leave lights dark: see airports without a forecast. Try the “No TAF” and “Forecast ends in 5 h” scenarios in the lights simulator.

      What do the History and Breakdown light modes show?

      Both use only the airport's weather reports, no forecast. History shows the category of the last four reports, newest first, so you can see a trend: lights 1 to 4 going green, green, blue, red means it's been clearing. Breakdown splits the latest report: overall category, visibility on its own, ceiling on its own, and the wind as a color from green (under 7 knots) to red (over 30). See the light modes.

      Why are all the lights dim white, or blinking?

      Dim white means WxBlox is still loading, or has no data yet. Slow blinking (1 second on, 1 off) means the weather is stale. If only light 1 blinks for a few seconds, conditions just changed category (Category-change alert).

      What does the fourth (blended) light mean?

      In Classic mode, light 4 mixes the colors of lights 1–3 (now, best ahead, worst ahead) into one color, so you get a quick overall feel from across the room. Green throughout means a solidly good day; a green-red mix (a muddy olive) means good now but worse expected. In Timeline mode light 4 isn't a blend: it's the worst forecast from 6 hours out to the end of the TAF.

      How often does the weather update?

      WxBlox checks for new data every few minutes (in multi-airport mode, each airport about every 5 minutes). Airports publish a new METAR about once an hour, more often when the weather is changing fast, and TAF forecasts about four times a day, so the numbers themselves usually change about hourly.

      Where does the weather data come from?

      From the NOAA / National Weather Service Aviation Weather Center (aviationweather.gov), the same METAR and TAF reports pilots use, delivered through WxBlox's own caching service (api.wxblox.com).

      Is WxBlox an official or FAA-approved weather source?

      No. WxBlox is not an official source of weather information. It's a convenient at-a-glance display, not a substitute for a briefing. Always obtain a formal weather briefing before flight. In the US, call 1-800-WX-BRIEF.

      What information does WxBlox send? (Privacy)

      Only what it needs to fetch your weather. It sends its Device ID (its WiFi hardware address), the airport code(s) you chose, and its firmware version to the WxBlox service at api.wxblox.com, always over encrypted HTTPS. Like any web service, WxBlox's servers keep logs of these requests to run the service and help with support. It also asks an internet time server for the time and checks WxBlox's update server for new firmware.

      It has no microphone or camera, and it doesn't send your WiFi password, location, or anything about other devices on your network.

      Does it store my WiFi password?

      Yes, on the device itself, so it can reconnect after a power cut. It's only ever used to join your network and is never sent to WxBlox or anyone else. When you reopen setup, the password box is left blank (“leave blank to keep current password”).

      Can I show more than one airport?

      Yes, up to 10. Choose Several airports in setup. WxBlox shows each code with one reading (temperature, wind speed or wind direction), switching every 3, 5, 10 or 30 seconds, and the lights follow whichever airport is on screen. See multi-airport layout.

      How do I set my time zone or switch to 12-hour time?

      In setup, open Time: choose UTC, Eastern, Central, Mountain, Arizona, Pacific, Alaska or Hawaii, and 12- or 24-hour. Daylight saving time is automatic. In 12-hour mode an A or P appears at the left.

      Can I make it dimmer at night?

      Yes, two ways. Brightness (Dim, Medium, Bright) sets the display and lights together. Night dimming, under Lights, turns everything down to its lowest level between the hours you choose (22:00 to 06:00 unless you change them), with the lights at about 10%. Night dimming follows your time zone and works once the clock has synced.

      Why does the clock show “----”?

      The clock hasn't synced yet. WxBlox sets its time over the internet just after it connects, so you'll usually only see ---- briefly after it starts. If it stays, WxBlox probably isn't online; check for rEtrY or other status codes.

      Why does it say “AGE”?

      The weather it's showing is stale, and the number is how many minutes old the observation is. It appears when the report is more than 90 minutes old or WxBlox hasn't refreshed for 20 minutes, and disappears once fresh data arrives. See troubleshooting.

      How do I read the wind display?

      Direction (degrees true) . speed (knots) . gust (knots). 270.15.25 is wind from 270° at 15 knots gusting 25; 270.15 is the same with no gusts; Vrb.05 is variable at 5 knots; CALnn is calm. In the Breakdown light mode, light 4 also shows the wind as a color (scale).

      What's the single lit segment on the leftmost digit?

      It tells you which screen you're on, going clockwise: top = temperature, upper right = wind, lower right = clouds, bottom = altimeter, lower left = time, upper left = airport, middle = fog, data age or the forecast airport. Prefer words? Switch to Labels.

      Where should I put it? Can I mount it?
      • Somewhere with a good WiFi signal, within reach of USB power.
      • Away from heat sources (radiators, heaters, a sunny windowsill); direct sun also washes out the display. Keep it dry.
      • Keep it at least 20 cm (8 inches) from people's bodies during normal use, as with any WiFi device (see RF exposure). A shelf, desk or wall spot is ideal; it's not meant to be worn or held against you.
      • However you mount it, leave the USB-C port and the setup button on the back reachable.
      A firmware update failed. What do I do?

      Usually nothing. ChkFAiL just means the update server couldn't be reached that time; WxBlox tries again on its own. If a new version installs but fails its checks, WxBlox shows rollbAC and goes back to the version that worked, automatically. If it ever keeps restarting over and over, contact support.

      How do I find my Device ID?

      Open setup and scroll to the bottom of the setup page: the footer shows the firmware version and the Device ID, 12 characters of letters and numbers (A–F, 0–9). It's your WxBlox's WiFi hardware address. Include it whenever you email support.

      Will it work outside the US?

      WxBlox is currently designed for, and sold in, the United States only. The weather service covers many stations worldwide, but the time zone choices are US zones plus UTC, and support is focused on US use.

      Is there an app or an account?

      No. Setup happens in your phone's web browser over WxBlox's own temporary WiFi network, and there's nothing to sign up for.

      How do I change my airport or WiFi later?

      Unplug, hold the button on the back, plug back in, and release when SEtUP appears. Join WxBlox-Setup and everything you saved is already filled in. Step by step.

      What about warranty or repairs?

      If your WxBlox isn't working right, email support@wxblox.com with your Device ID and a description (or photo) of what it shows, and we'll work it out with you.

      Safety & regulatory

      Safe use

      • Use a USB power source in good condition, and keep WxBlox dry and away from heat.
      • Keep at least 20 cm (8 inches) between WxBlox and your body during normal use.
      • WxBlox is not an official source of weather information. Always obtain a formal weather briefing before flight.

      FCC information (United States)

      Product
      WxBlox Aviation Weather Display
      Model
      WXB-2
      Contains FCC ID
      2AC7Z-ESPS3WROOM1

      This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

      Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

      RF exposure: This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. It should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 cm between the radiator and your body.

      Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

      • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
      • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
      • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
      • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

      Responsible party (Supplier's Declaration of Conformity)

      Zepto Omnitech, LLC
      90 State St, Ste 700
      Albany, NY 12207
      support@wxblox.com

      Contact support

      support@wxblox.com

      Questions, problems or feedback about your WxBlox.

      Email support

      To help us help you quickly, include:

      • Your Device ID and firmware version (both in the setup page footer).
      • Exactly what the display shows (a photo is perfect) and what the lights are doing.
      • Your airport code(s).
      • Your router or mesh system, and what you've already tried.