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Alert Not Working

Your OceanRemote temperature alerts are not triggering or not being delivered. The dashboard shows temperature exceeding threshold, but you receive no email, SMS, or push notification. This guide covers threshold configuration, alert frequency settings, notification delivery, and troubleshooting alert conditions.

Last updated: April 22, 2026 | 10 min read

Symptoms

Temperature exceeds threshold but no email alert received
Alert triggered once but never again
Dashboard shows alert but no notification delivered
Email alerts work but SMS doesn't
Alerts work for some devices but not others
Alert history shows entries but no actual notification
Push notifications not appearing on mobile

Common Causes

Alert Not Enabled in Dashboard Alert toggle switch is OFF for the device
Threshold Set Incorrectly Alert threshold higher than actual temperature
Alert Frequency Too High/Low Frequency set to 0 or too high
Email Not Verified or Wrong Address User email not confirmed or incorrect in profile
Email in Spam Folder Alert emails being filtered by spam detection
Device Not Sending Temperature Data No temperature readings = no alerts
Server-Side Alert Processing Delayed High load causing delayed alert processing

Alert Configuration Parameters

Parameter	Description	Valid Range	Default
Threshold ()	Temperature that triggers alert ()	-50C to +125C ()	30C
Alert Frequency ()	Minutes between repeated alerts ()	0 = disabled, 1-1440 minutes	60 minutes
Alert Status ()	ON/OFF toggle ()	Enabled or Disabled (/)	Disabled ()
Notification Method ()	Email, SMS, Push, Webhook	User profile settings ()	Email only ()

Step-by-Step Fixes

1. Verify Alert is Enabled in Dashboard

Most common fix alert toggle switch must be ON:

Log into OceanRemote dashboard
Navigate to Device Details page for the device
Look for "Temperature Alert" section
Ensure the toggle switch is ON
If disabled, click to enable
Save settings

2. Check Threshold Setting

Alert triggers when temperature exceeds threshold:

In Device Details page, check current threshold value
Compare with actual temperature reading
Alert triggers when: Current Temperature > Threshold
Example: If threshold is 30C and temperature is 25C, alert will NOT trigger
Lower threshold to test
After testing, set to desired value

3. Verify Alert Frequency

Frequency controls how often alerts repeat:

Alert Frequency = 0 Alerts disabled
Alert Frequency = 60 Sends alert every 60 minutes while temperature exceeds threshold
Alert Frequency = 1440 Sends alert once per day maximum
Set frequency to 5-15 minutes for testing
After testing, set to desired frequency

4. Check User Email Configuration

Email alerts require verified email address:

Go to Profile Account Settings
Verify email address is correct
Check if email is verified
If not verified, check inbox for verification link
Add noreply@oceanremote.net to contacts to prevent spam filtering
Check spam/junk folder for alert emails

5. Test Alert with Low Threshold

Force an alert to test the system:

// Test procedure:
// 1. Set threshold to a value lower than current temperature
//    Example: Current temperature 22C, set threshold to 20C
// 2. Set alert frequency to 5 minutes
// 3. Enable alert toggle
// 4. Save settings
// 5. Wait 1-2 minutes for device to poll 
// 6. Check email for alert
// 7. If alert received, system is working
// 8. Reset threshold to desired value

6. Verify Device is Sending Temperature Data

No temperature data = no alerts:

Check dashboard for temperature reading
Open Serial Monitor at 115200 baud
Look for: [SENSOR] DHT22 - Temp: XX.XC
If temperature shows -999, sensor is not working
Fix sensor wiring or configuration first
Device must be ONLINE

7. Check Alert History

View past alerts to see if they were triggered:

Go to Device Details Alert History tab
Look for alert entries with timestamps
If history shows alerts but no email received email delivery issue
If history is empty alert not triggered
Check "Acknowledged" column alerts may need manual acknowledgment

Alert Status Messages

Status Message	Meaning	Solution
Alert sent	Notification delivered	Check spam folder if not received
Alert suppressed,	Frequency limit active ()	Wait for frequency interval to pass
Email delivery failed	SMTP error or invalid email SMTP	Check email address in profile
Alert disabled	Toggle switch is OFF	Enable alert in dashboard
Threshold not exceeded	Temperature < threshold	Lower threshold or wait for temperature rise

Prevention Tips

Always test alert system after initial configuration
Add noreply@oceanremote.net to email contacts to avoid spam filtering
Set alert frequency to reasonable value
Verify email address is correct and verified in profile
Monitor alert history periodically to ensure system is working
For critical applications, use multiple notification methods
Test alert system monthly to ensure continued operation

Related Issues

DHT22 Not Working Temperature sensor issues
Device Offline in Dashboard Connection problems
Temperature Offset Calibration Inaccurate readings
ESP32 Not Connecting to WiFi Device connectivity

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How quickly are alerts sent after temperature exceeds threshold?

A: Devices poll every 3 seconds. When temperature exceeds threshold, the server processes the alert within 1-2 minutes. Total delay: 1-3 minutes typically.

Q: Can I receive alerts on multiple email addresses?

A: Currently alerts go to the email address associated with your OceanRemote account. For multiple recipients, use email forwarding rules or create separate accounts with shared device access.

Q: Why did I receive only one alert even though temperature stayed high for hours?

A: Alert frequency setting controls repeat alerts. If frequency is 60 minutes, you'll receive at most one alert per hour. This prevents notification spam. Reduce frequency to 5-15 minutes for more frequent alerts during testing.

Still having alert issues? Contact Support or return to the Troubleshooting Hub.