Coban GPS Tracker Offline? How to Fix TK103, TK303 and Similar Models

Coban trackers like the TK103 and TK303 are cheap and common. They are also easy to get offline with a single wrong setting.

Why Coban trackers go offline

The usual culprits are the same as most trackers: power, SIM, APN or server settings. Coban devices are configured mostly by SMS, so a mistyped command or a reset can knock them offline quickly.

Step 1: check power

• Check the tracker’s indicator lights.
• For hardwired units, check the fuse, the earth and the permanent live.
• Check the vehicle battery is healthy.
• If the tracker has a backup battery, it may still be running on that while the main power is disconnected. That can look fine for a day, then it goes offline.

Step 2: check the SIM

• Check the SIM is in correctly and active.
• Check it has credit or data.
• Disable any SIM PIN before inserting it.
• Make sure the SIM works on a network the tracker supports. Older 2G-only Coban units need a SIM with 2G access. See our guide to the 2G and 3G switch-off.

Step 3: send an SMS to test it

Send a status or location request by SMS. If the tracker replies, it has power and network. If it does not reply, the problem is power or SIM.

Coban commands usually include the device password. The factory default on many models is 123456, but it may have been changed. Command formats vary by model and firmware, so check your manual.

Examples on many Coban models:

• apn123456 yourapn to set the APN
• adminip123456 serveraddress port to set the server
• gprs123456 to switch to GPRS (online) mode

Step 4: check the APN

If the tracker replies to SMS but stays offline on the platform, the APN is the most likely cause. Get the correct APN from your SIM provider and set it. Some SIMs also need an APN username and password.

Step 5: check the server address and port

The tracker needs to know which server and port to send data to. If it has been reset or moved between platforms, it may still be pointing at the old one. Set it to the details your platform gives you.

Step 6: check GPRS mode

Some Coban models can switch between SMS-only mode and online mode. If it has dropped back to SMS mode, it will not report to a platform. Switch it back to GPRS mode.

Step 7: reset carefully

A factory reset can clear a corrupted configuration. But it also wipes your APN and server settings, so you will need to set them again. Note down the settings before you reset.

Still offline?

If it replies to SMS, has the right APN and server, and still will not appear online, the modem or GPS module may be faulty. Cheap trackers do fail.

Our wider guide to GPS trackers offline and not connecting covers more general checks.

Using Coban trackers with Traknova

You do not need to replace hardware to get a better platform. Traknova integrates with Coban trackers, so you can see them on the same dashboard as other devices, with alerts when one goes offline.

See our Coban integration and GPS tracking pages.

Summary

Power, SIM, then an SMS test. If it replies, fix the APN and server. Most offline Coban trackers are a settings issue, not a broken device.

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