Fifotrack GPS Tracker Offline? How to Find the Fault and Fix It

Fifotrack devices are reliable once set up, but a lost setting or a SIM issue will knock them offline. Here is how to track down the fault.

Check the last known position first

Look at when and where the tracker last reported. If it went offline somewhere with no signal, like an underground car park or a remote site, it may reconnect when the vehicle moves. If it has been offline for days in a normal location, start working through the steps.

Step 1: power

• Check the device indicator lights.
• Check the fuse, permanent live and earth on hardwired installs.
• Check the vehicle battery. Low voltage can make the tracker drop into sleep or shut down.
• If the tracker has a backup battery, it may have been running on that after main power was cut, and has now gone flat.

Step 2: SIM

• Make sure the SIM is seated properly.
• Check it is active, has data and has no PIN lock.
• Check it supports the network technology the tracker uses. 3G has been switched off in the UK, so any device relying on it needs 2G or 4G. See our guide to the 2G and 3G switch-off.

Step 3: confirm it responds

Fifotrack devices can usually be queried and configured by SMS or through Fifotrack’s PC configuration tool. Check your model’s manual for the exact commands and default password.

If the tracker responds, it has power and network. If not, focus on power and SIM.

Step 4: APN

If it responds but does not appear online, the APN is the most likely cause. Set the APN to match your SIM provider. Some SIMs also need a username and password.

Step 5: server address and port

The tracker needs the right server address and port. If it was moved from another platform or reset, it may be sending data somewhere else. Update it to your platform’s details.

Step 6: sleep and reporting intervals

Some configurations put the tracker into deep sleep when the vehicle is parked, reporting only every few hours. That can look like offline. Check the sleep and reporting settings before assuming a fault.

Step 7: firmware and reset

Older firmware can have bugs. Ask your supplier for updates. If the configuration is corrupted, a reset can help, but note down your settings first, because you will need to put them back.

Still offline?

If power, SIM, APN, server and settings are all correct, the device may be faulty. See our wider guide to GPS trackers offline and not connecting.

Using Fifotrack with Traknova

Traknova integrates with Fifotrack devices, so you can keep your hardware and get a better view of the fleet. Offline devices trigger alerts so they do not sit unnoticed.

See our Fifotrack integration and GPS tracking pages.

Summary

Check power, SIM and whether it responds. Then fix APN, server and sleep settings. That covers the large majority of offline Fifotrack units.

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