I’ve put in 2 new G7 sensors this morning, and I keep getting a message that says: Searching for sensor number. Wheel keeps turning but it never finds sensor to pair to my iPhone.
I’ve deleted all old Dexcom sensors on Bluetooth that weren’t connected, since I thought that might be issue. It wasn’t.
Dexcom Technical Services wasn’t much help so I thought I’d ask if anyone knows of a fix to this issue. Thanks.
I’m not aware of any magic to get it to pair.
I also had two sensors in a row that failed to pair.
I just requested replacements and moved on.
I’ve heard some talk about the magnet on the inserter not triggering the sensor to turn on when inserted. I’ve been unsuccessful in trying to manually start it.
“3 failed G7s in a row” is a similar topic if you want to read it.
Searching for sensor number seems odd. Can’t be certain, but doesn’t it just say “searching for sensor”?
Anyway, putting a kitchen magnet over the sensor might get it to start. Worth a try.
Also, my sensors that didn’t start were all from the same lot. Might be worth checking and seeing if you have one from a different lot if the magnet trick fails.
I had three in a row that failed to pair… something must be up. Same lot.
Thank you all for your help. I was on my third sensor, and I removed that little magnet then pressed that magnet to the sensor that was already inserted. A few seconds later it paired to my iPhone. Thank you again for this tip!
You need to select stop sensor and try to pair the same sensor again. The magnet only starts the time but the same thing happens when you hit start sensor, so you don’t really need the magnet to start sensor
I had the same problem a few times. I found out that pairing your pump first fixed my problem.
Dexcom is aware of this problem. Defective G7’s. Call them for a replacement.
John
Yes, Dexcom is well aware the G7 kinda of sorta worked. You can’t tell me their so called “clinical trial” didn’t expose these issues. G6 1000% better than G7, but wasnt freestyle sexy.
I had the same problem. I was told by an Insulet CSR that the G7 and the pod communicate directly, and the pod (NOT the G7 sensor) is what communicates with the controller. Therefore, the problem is with the controller. Insulet overnighted a replacement via FedEx.
Medical device trials are different from drug trials. In medical device, an upgraded device does not, necessarily, require an extensive test. For the G7, Dexcom demonstrated that the G7 was at least the equivalent (or better) to the G6.
In either trial how well it detects a rare event will depend upon the number of people enrolled and length of time of the trial. So, it is very possible that it wasn’t detected.
Could be, but I don’t think I’m a unicorn.
Near as I can tell from the FDA submittal, there were 82 enrollees which yielded somewhere around 90,000 data points. Part of the submittal looked at the length of time the sensors lasted – it used 460 sensors (0.5% failed on day 1). So, could a lot be manufactured poorly - yup. Dexcom has about 2 million customers for their CGM sensors. If 50% use G7 and they use about 37 sensors/year that means about 37 million sensors are made/year.
This has happened to me with the last 3 sensors – invalid pairing code – I just got off the phone with Tandem Tech Support and was told they are taking serial numbers because this has become a problem with the G7 sensors (there “might be” a manufacturing issue). It happened to me once in December, twice in January, and now again in February.
In the last 30 days, I have gone through 6 sensors. Twice, I had to actually change out the “bad” sensor for another one because the Dexcom app also was not pairing (one time, I went through 3 sensors before one finally paired). — Once, the Dexcom app DID pair, but the TSlim pump did not. For that one, I plugged in my pump and did a restart while the Tech Support guy stayed on the phone with me to walk me through all the steps and that solved the problem.
I am getting ready to switch to the Medtronic 780G and Guardian sensor. The $499 try-it-until-your-old-pump-is-out-of-warranty fee is worth every penny IMHO.
I always pair my pump first. And also I find I don’t need the dexcom ap at all because my tandem ap captures more data.
When you run only the one ap, these pairing issues no longer happen.
I switched to mobi last year. I really like it nd I’m used to the algorithm. Although bolusing from a pump is easier than on a phone, still the benefits outweigh the annoyance.
The pump is so small,
I can walk through airports and never alarm, no getting groped or chemical swabbing anymore. It’s really amazing when you feel like a regular person.
Also the tubing I use is very short and my pump stays under my clothes so no snagging doorknobs.
Cartridge changes are very fast and easy.
Fully charges in 15 min wirelessly.
I’m sure pod users have similar experience. Maybe better because if a pod fails from a scanner, you just use. New one.
I loved my Medtronic pump but the sensors were such trash.
I know they are better now, but there is that learning curve you will need to get through due to different algorithm etc.
going from Medtronic to tandem took me about a month and the settings for by the hour basal rates just did not match up.
I’m glad we have more than one choice on the market tho because everyone likes different things.
I really wanted a Mobi (half the size of the Tslim) until I thought about all the connection issues I have with the Dexcom sensor - then it was no-go. If I can’t bolus because I’m not connected, it’s a moot point. I am glad to hear that you are not having those issues!!
@Timothy you are one of my T1D Heroes. I have been reading this forum for many years – coming here and asking questions or sharing my experience. Your comments & advice always resonate with me and my experience with T1D. THANK YOU!
Thank you for your kind words. I just think sharing experience is how we all get by. I learn a lot from other members.
As far as connection goes, the dexcom connects to my pump seperate from phone. The pump connects to my phone and it’s pretty good unless you are far away or phone on opposite side which is fixed easily.
There is also a button on the pump that you can use to deliver a bolus if you needed that. I only used it one time when I left my phone at home. Otherwise the connection resumes immediately when I move my phone in range.
The only time I have connection issues is when I run the dexcom app at the same time as my Mobi app. And as I said, there is really no reason to use it, it just gets in the way.
Also I use double sided wig tape to stick my pump to my body in a place close to my sensor. You can use the longer 23 inch tubing to put it anywhere but I prefer the short 3 inch because it’s out of the way.
I wear my sensors on my triceps so if I have my pump anywhere toward my back, I’m golden. I use my hips and top of my butt below my belt line often. You can’t do that with a pump that you need to look at often.
I’ve even put it on my leg, and I put it on my triceps once just to see and it works great there too. If you use the tape you can stick and unstick several times before it stops sticking.
The best thing tho is the cartridge change that is 1000 time easier and faster than the tslim2. Also you can prime the tubing manually and not waste all the insulin that I was doing on the t2.
Also I’ve never dropped it and never got it caught on anything, never ripped it out accidentally. So yea it’s a great improvement in my opinion.
