diff --git a/gauge.py b/gauge.py
index c060a2f..f8898ee 100644
--- a/gauge.py
+++ b/gauge.py
@@ -884,25 +884,13 @@ def _subscribe_all(c):
         c.subscribe(f"{prefix}/status_led/green/set")
 
 
-def _probe_tcp(host, port, timeout_s=10):
-    """Open and immediately close a TCP connection to verify the route is up."""
-    import usocket
-    s = usocket.socket()
-    s.settimeout(timeout_s)
-    try:
-        s.connect(usocket.getaddrinfo(host, port)[0][-1])
-    finally:
-        s.close()
-
-
 def connect_mqtt():
     global client_ref, _mqtt_connected
     info(f"Connecting to MQTT broker {MQTT_BROKER}:{MQTT_PORT} ...")
     last_error = None
     for attempt in range(3):
+        gc.collect()
         try:
-            _probe_tcp(MQTT_BROKER, MQTT_PORT)
-
             if client_ref is not None:
                 try:
                     client_ref.disconnect()
@@ -925,7 +913,7 @@ def connect_mqtt():
             return
         except Exception as e:
             last_error = e
-            log_err(f"MQTT connect attempt {attempt + 1} failed: {e}")
+            log_err(f"MQTT connect attempt {attempt + 1} failed: {type(e).__name__}: {e}")
             try:
                 client.sock.close()
             except Exception: