Before You Start
Before troubleshooting, confirm:
You've completed the hardware setup and followed the user guide and connection video
The Pixel Dancer app is installed on your phone
Your Chromaglow system is properly connected to the controller
General Troubleshooting Tips for Chromaglow: Video Guide
Step 1: Hard Reset the Controller
If you're experiencing connection or control issues, start with a hard reset:
Hold the button on the controller
Unplug the lights
Plug the lights back in while still holding the button
Keep holding for 10 seconds, then release
Controller Hard reset: Video Guide
Step 2: Update the Pixel Dancer App
Keep your app current to avoid compatibility issues:
Open your device's app store (iOS App Store or Google Play Store)
Search for "Pixel Dancer"
If an Update button appears, tap it to update the app
Step 3: Grant App Permissions
On first open of the Pixel Dancer app:
Tap Allow when prompted so the app can access:
Local Network
Bluetooth
Location services
Ensure your Chromaglow system is properly connected to the controller.
If App is Already Installed: Fix Permission Issues
Symptom: You're connected to the network or directly to the lights in your phone's settings, but when you go to Pixel Dancer settings and it's saying "searching," you're not connected.
Fix App Permissions
Go back to your phone Settings
Look up Pixel Dancer in your settings (you'll be looking at the settings of Pixel Dancer itself)
Make sure you have everything allowed in here:
Click Local Network and allow it
Allow Siri
Allow all other permissions
Return to Pixel Dancer and reconnect
Note: If anything in here isn't allowed, the app won't let you connect to the lights.
Step 4: Connect to Wi-Fi
Initial Connection Setup
Open your phone's Settings and turn on Wi-Fi
Connect to one of these:
Direct connection to lights: Network will be named "WEC-" followed by something (or whatever you renamed it to)
Network connection: Connect to your regular Wi-Fi network
Once you're connected, go back to the Pixel Dancer app
Navigate to Settings and click the Wi-Fi button (the one with arrows doing a circle)
Wi-Fi Setup Requirements
Use a 2.4 GHz network band for Wi-Fi control devices
Make sure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network selected during controller setup
Step 5: Keep App Updated & Synced
Now you're connected. Anytime you're in settings:
Click Check Update just to make sure it's up to date
At the top right, click the date and it'll sync the date — if it's wrong, this will automatically sync it
You should be able to control the lights from here
Step 6: Verify Port Light Count Settings
Symptom: Lights are not illuminating, or only some lights respond.
Set Correct Light Count (Direct Mode)
In the app, go to Settings
Find "Port 1 Light Count" and "Port 2 Light Count"
Enter the exact number of LEDs connected on each port:
Each Chromaglow strand has 25 LEDs
Example: Two strands total 50 LEDs
Important: The system will only control the number of LEDs you specify. For example, if you have 100 LEDs installed but enter 50, only the first 50 LEDs will illuminate
If set to zero or left blank, no lights will function
Enter the total number of LEDs on your installation
Return to the Color Wheel:
Choose an Effect
Tap the color wheel and test responsiveness
Note: This setting tells the controller the total number of LEDs in your installation. If some lights turn off unexpectedly, verify this count matches your actual installation.
If the Lights Still Don't Respond
Force-quit the app and reopen it
Re-enter the Light Count values if needed
Test again on the Color Wheel
Step 7: Troubleshoot Network Mode Connectivity
If you’re set up on your home network but lights won’t respond:
A) Switch to Network Mode
Change the app connection from Direct Mode to Network Mode.
B) Check and update firmware
In Settings, next to the Port Light Count, tap “Check/Update.”
Tap Update and wait for the “Update successful” message.
Reference versions at time of filming:
iOS: 4.3
Android: 4.27
C) Confirm your Wi‑Fi setup
Use a 2.4 GHz network band for Wi‑Fi control devices.
Make sure your phone is on the same Wi‑Fi network selected during controller setup.
Advanced Backend Settings (Web UI)
Symptom: You're connected in the settings of the Pixel Dancer app, and have followed the troubleshooting steps above, but you’re still unable to control your lights
Access Web UI
Go to Settings of the app
Tap Installer Support (if it asks you for a code, the password is minleon112)
Make sure you're still connected
Click Web UI — this is going to take you to the back end of the lights (maybe there's a setting that's not working)
Navigate to Outputs
LED Chip Setting
Issue: Several backend settings can prevent lights from functioning properly. The LED chip type is a common cause.
Identify Your Light Type
We install two different LED types:
RGB+2
Two small pixel lights per module
No center diode
RGBW+2
Larger center diode
Small yellow component visible
Configure Chip Setting
In Web UI > Outputs, locate the LED Chip Setting
Find the Load Defaults For dropdown showing RGB+2 or RGBW+2
Select the type that matches your physical lights:
RGB+2
RGBW+2
Verify your chip setting is correct before proceeding
Common cause: Performing a hard reset on the controller can revert the chip setting to the default type, which may not match your installed lights.
Pixel Mapping
Issue: When pixel mapping boxes display green, lights may fail to respond.
Reset Pixel Mapping
Scroll down to the Pixel Mapping section
Click Effect One
If boxes are displayed in green, click Set All Pixels
Boxes will change to clear or light blue color
Verify your LED chip setting matches your light type (RGB+2 or RGBW+2)
Exit the Web UI to return to the app
Port Light Count (Web UI)
You can also configure the Port Light Count through the Web UI:
Ensure you're connected to the Web UI
Locate the Port Light Count setting
Enter the total number of LEDs in your installation
This setting defines how many LEDs the controller will manage
Stop unexpected shows, colors, or schedules (Web UI)
Symptom: Lights turning on or changing at random:
In the app, open Settings.
Scroll to “Web UI” and tap it.
In the web UI, go to Shows.
If any preset show is selected, tap the blue check mark to unselect it.
Go to Configuration.
Set your correct Time Zone.
Confirm the 24‑hour time matches your local time.
App Permissions Issue
Symptom: Connected to Wi-Fi in phone settings, but Pixel Dancer shows "searching" or won't connect.
Fix App Permissions
Go to phone Settings
Search for Pixel Dancer
Enable all permissions:
Local Network
Siri
All other permissions
Return to Pixel Dancer and reconnect
Note: Missing permissions prevent app from connecting to lights.
Keep App Updated
After connecting:
In Pixel Dancer Settings, tap Check Update
Tap the date (top right) to sync — auto-corrects if wrong
Verify light control works
Still stuck?
Reach out to Big Star Lights support by asking for a human agent on our website chat.
With your enquiry, include the following details: device type (iOS or Android), app version, firmware version, LED count per port, connection mode (Direct or Network), and a short description of the issue and steps you’ve tried.