When you set up your shade for the first time, the app is trying to find a nearby shade that is ready to be added. If nothing appears after you scan the QR code, it usually means one of two things is happening.

Either the shade is not in a state where it can be discovered, or it is not close enough to your smart home hub to complete the setup. Both are common during first-time installation, and both are straightforward to fix once you know what to look for.

The fastest way to understand what’s going on is to check the light on the shade.

Your shade needs to be in pairing mode before any app can find it. The LED indicator on the shade tells you whether it is ready.

When the shade is ready to be added, the LED will be blinking purple. This blinking light is the signal that the shade is actively available for setup. If the light is not blinking purple, the app will not be able to detect it, no matter how many times you try.

To put the shade into this state, locate the NWK button on the shade. This button is used specifically for setup.

Press the NWK button once and then look at the LED. Within a moment, it should begin blinking purple. Once you see that light, return to your app and try adding the shade again.

If the purple light is blinking but the shade still does not appear in the app, the next thing to check is distance.

Your shade connects using Thread, which is a wireless network inside your home. Like any wireless connection, it works best when devices are close enough to communicate reliably. During setup, this matters more than usual because the connection is being established for the first time.

As a general guideline, your smart home hub should be in the same room as the shade or within about 20 feet. If the shade is farther away, the app may not be able to detect it even though it is technically ready.

If needed, move closer to your hub or temporarily bring your hub closer to the shade. Once the shade is successfully added, your network can expand using other Thread devices, but for this first step, proximity helps ensure everything connects smoothly.

If the shade does not enter pairing mode when you press the NWK button, or if setup continues to fail after the steps above, the network settings may need to be cleared.

This can happen if the shade was partially set up during a previous attempt or if it is holding on to incorrect network information.

To reset the network settings, press and hold the NWK button. Keep holding until the LED turns solid amber, then release the button.

This will return the shade to a fresh, ready-to-connect state. After the reset, press the NWK button again until the purple blinking light appears, then try adding the shade again in your app.

If the shade still cannot be detected after these steps, it’s a good time to reach out.

Please contact Mado Support if the shade does not show a blinking purple light after resetting, or if it is within range of your hub and still does not appear in the app.

If you still need help, tap the chat icon in the lower right. We’re a small but mighty team and will respond as quickly as possible.