Zwift Welcome Screen
Once you have your smart trainer bike or treadmill ready and the Zwift software installed, you're ready to connect (or pair) your devices to the game. Launch Zwift from you internet connected device and you will be presented with a welcome screen. If game updates are available, you may receive or notification here or when clicking the 'Let's Go' button.
Click the 'Let's Go' button and Zwift will bring up the connecting or pairing screen. It may look slightly different depending on your internet device but the basic functions are the same. From this screen, you'll be able to pair the following items if you are using them: your trainer or power meter, cadence & speed sensors, heart rate monitor and steering device.
Sometimes, the pairing screen will connect devices within seconds and other times it may take a couple of attempts. This process can be one of the more frustrating steps in the Zwift process. However, once you have done it a couple of times, you'll know what you need to do for your particular situation.
- Select whether you're going to 'Ride' or 'Run'
- In the upper left of the screen is the ability to pair from your phone. This allows you to pair using Zwift Companion.
- In the upper right corner, either the Bluetooth or ANT+ icon will begin searching for your devices. If you haven't already, at this point, you need to 'wake up' your trainer by starting to cycle or run. If you see an option for different trainers with similar names, select the one with FE_C appended to the name.
- When the game and device connect, a second screen will pop up showing the various devices that can be connected. Once the device has been connected, 'Connected' will be displayed and a reading will start to appear on screen. If you have multiple trainers, you can select which trainer as well.
- Sometimes, a device will say 'Connected' but display 'No Signal' across the device box. Bluetooth can only connect one device at a time. So you may need to click the 'Unpair' button and then click the 'Search' button for that device again.
- Once all the devices are paired, the game will launch. If something didn't pair properly, you can access this same pairing screen while in-game too.
Due to the multitude of trainers, internet connected devices, bluetooth receivers or ANT+ dongles, the pairing process can be tricky and finicky. Even things like the position of your trainer in relation to your internet device can have an impact. So here are a few troubleshooting tutorials to help you should you have issues.
Also, Zwift has specific instructions for various trainers that may be of assistance to you.
Pairing Your Heart Rate Monitor
Pair More Than Two Devices on Apple TV
Calibrating Your Smart Trainer
If none of these tutorials help your issue, try the Zwift Forum or Zwift Support. Also there are lots of Youtube videos about device pairing and overcoming issues so try searching there for an answer as well.