RGB Critter Troubleshooting

For the latest information regarding future updates for the RGB Critter BT and Ants on a Melon Apps, click here.

There is no need for cell service or Wi-Fi when using the RGB Critter BT.

Wirelessly control your RGB Critter BT with the Ants on a Melon App using Bluetooth!

Connect up to 10 devices within a 20-meter (66-ft) range and enjoy uninterrupted control without the need for Wi-Fi or cell service.

Make sure to always keep your phone and the RGB Critter BT within sight of each other, as the Bluetooth signal may have difficulty passing through large objects.

If you're having trouble connecting you RGB Critter BT to the Ants on a Melon App, try the following steps:

1. On the "Devices" page of the app, use the 3 white dots to the right of your RGB Critter BT's name, and delete your RGB Critter BT from the app.

2. Go to the Bluetooth settings in your phone and "forget" your RGB Critter BT.

3. Once you have completed the steps above, try and reconnect your RGB Critter BT to the app by holding the Rocket button on your RGB Critter BT and selecting the device within the "Devices" page of the app.

*If none of these steps work, try removing/reinstalling the battery within your RGB Critter BT and restart your phone.

If your Critter will only turn on when plugged into a power source, it's possible that there is a loose electrical connection due to a broken Battery Door part.

If the Modular Cap is not fully installed into the back side of the RGB Critter, and the Critter happens to be dropped, then the plastic on the Battery Door may become damaged. If this part is damaged, there will likely be issues with powering the Critter when it is not plugged into a power source.

If you find that the Battery Door part is damaged, you can purchase a replacement on our website here.

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If you're unsure if your Battery Door part is broken or not, please send us a close-up picture of your Battery Door to support@antsonamelon.com.

You likely encountered a bug that we aren't aware of or are working to fix.

Bugs can result from any series of events and can be challenging to find.

If you don't know the information listed below and encounter a bug, you can reset your RGB Critter BT by removing/reinserting the battery and restarting your phone, just like you would restart your computer when it freezes.

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Factors include:

• What Mode is being played
• What Settings are being used
• Actions taken within the app (specific series of actions)
• Phone Model-Phone Software
• Other devices connected to the phone
• Other apps opened on the phone

This is the information we need in order to track down a bug. Please fill out this form if you encounter a bug and can list the information above.

Important: Only use the USB charging cable supplied with your order to charge your RGB Critter Flashlight. Use of any other charging cable may cause damage to your RGB Critter.

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1. When charging the RGB Critter, are you making sure that the Battery Door is fully latched when charging? The Battery Door must be fully latched prior to charging the battery.

2. Check to make sure the battery is facing the correct direction. The positive side should be facing the front of the flashlight.

3. Try using a different power source to charge your Critter (make sure to use the USB charging cable provided with your order).

IMPORTANT: If your USB charging port is not working:

A possible reason is that this particular USB wall port adapter has a USB PD (Power Delivery) protocol. The presence of this protocol does not allow us to identify a device that does not have the same protocol and therefore the flashlight does not charge. If there is an issue with your USB wall port adapter the buttons on your RGB Critter BT will blink red.

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If the troubleshooting steps above did not solve your problem, please do the following:

1. Check to see if your Critter powers on when plugged into a power source. If it does not turn on, please repeat step 4 above.

If your Critter does not turn on when plugged into a power source, please send us a video showing this issue to support@antsonamelon.com

2. If your Critter turns on when plugged into a power source and you have already followed the steps above, your Battery Door might be broken (please see the section titled "RGB Critter will only turn on when plugged into a power source").

Battery Discharge Notice

To save battery, turn off the RGB Critter BT by holding the Power button on the RGB Critter BT for 1 second.

If left within the RGB Critter BT, the 18650 battery will continue to discharge at a slow rate. If stored for more than 2-3 weeks, the battery should be removed from the RGB Critter BT and stored around the 50% charge level in a cool environment.

For more information on battery handling tips and battery safety, head to: https://antsonamelon.com/pages/battery-safety

The following notice is posted on all product pages that include the RGB Critter BT Flashlight:

Multiple Connected Devices Issue Notice

The Ants on a Melon App enables users to connect up to 10 RGB Critter BT Flashlights simultaneously. However, it is important to note that there is a known issue with color-changing modes when multiple Critter BTs are connected to the app. The colors may not always match perfectly on the connected flashlights. This issue only applies to color-changing modes, as solid colors will always match on any number of connected RGB Critter BTs. A resolution for this known issue is expected by the end of 2024. Once the issue is resolved, you can update your RGB Critter BT using the app.

This is not a bug or defect. Here's why:

The charge level is determined by the battery's voltage; when using a bright light, such as white, the flashlight's consumption increases, and the voltage drops. When the load is removed, the voltage may rise back.

This is what is causing the change in battery level on the app.

Important: Only use the USB charging cable supplied with your order to charge your Critter. Use of any other charging cable may cause damage to your Critter and will void the warranty.

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1. Have you checked to make sure the buttons on your Critter aren't locked?

To unlock/lock the buttons on the RGB Critter 2.0, press the Arrow and Power buttons at the same time. You will see the color green for unlocked buttons and the color red for locked buttons.

2. When charging the RGB Critter, are you making sure that the Battery Door is fully latched when charging? The Battery Door must be fully latched prior to charging the battery.

3. Check to make sure the battery is facing the correct direction. The positive side should be facing the front of the flashlight.

4. Try using a different power source to charge your Critter (make sure to use the USB charging cable provided with your order).

IMPORTANT: If your USB charging port is not working:

A possible reason is that this particular USB wall port adapter has a USB PD (Power Delivery) protocol. The presence of this protocol does not allow us to identify a device that does not have the same protocol and therefore the flashlight does not charge (we checked this in our office).

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If the troubleshooting steps above did not solve your problem, please do the following:

1. Check to see if your Critter powers on when plugged into a power source. If it does not turn on, please repeat step 4 above.

If your Critter does not turn on when plugged into a power source, please send us a video showing this issue to support@antsonamelon.com

2. If your Critter turns on when plugged into a power source and you have already followed the steps above, your Battery Door might be broken (please see the section titled "RGB Critter will only turn on when plugged into a power source").

The silicone Shell on the Critter is not permanently attached to the aluminum housing and it can move around depending on how the product is used. If the silicone Shell moves around, the buttons on the bottom of the Shell may not align properly with the buttons on the flashlight. Please try massaging the Shell around a bit so that the buttons properly align and let us know if you're still having issues.

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If this does not solve the problem, please send us a video that demonstrates the issue you're experiencing.

Email your video to support@antsonamelon.com

If your Critter will only turn on when plugged into a power source, it's possible that there is a loose electrical connection due to a broken Battery Door part.

If the End Cap is not fully installed into the back side of the RGB Critter, and the Critter happens to be dropped, then the plastic on the Battery Door may become damaged. If this part is damaged, there will likely be issues with powering the Critter when it is not plugged into a power source.

If you find that the Battery Door part is damaged, you can purchase a replacement on our website here.

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If you're unsure if your Battery Door part is broken or not, please send us a close-up picture of your Battery Door to support@antsonamelon.com. Here's an example of what the picture should show.

1. Press the power button on/off. this should resolve the issue.

2. Check to make sure the battery is facing the correct direction. The positive side should be facing the front of the Critter.

3. Try initiating a Factory Reset (turn your Critter off and hold all 3 buttons for 5 seconds).

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If these troubleshooting steps do not work, please send us a video showing a successful factory reset and the button LEDs blinking while charging.

Send the video to: support@antsonamelon.com

Here's a video that demonstrates how to remove a stuck End Cap.

To avoid damage to the End Cap and aluminum housing, we recommend always having the End Cap fully installed within the aluminum housing and to avoid dropping the Critter on hard surfaces. 

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If you are unable to remove a stuck End Cap, contact us here for more assistance.

We can replace the aluminum housing on your RGB Critter for a $20 fee (covers time and materials).

Please contact us to start the return process.

If left within the RGB Critter, the 18650 battery will continue to discharge at a slow rate. If stored for more than 2–3 weeks, the battery should be removed from the RGB Critter and stored around the 50% charge level in a cool environment.

You can find more information on proper battery handling techniques on our website here.

Here's the product page for the replacement End Cap.

Here's the product page for the replacement Battery Door.