diff --git a/gauge.py b/gauge.py
index 3e2fa4a..c33142e 100644
--- a/gauge.py
+++ b/gauge.py
@@ -883,8 +883,6 @@ def _subscribe_all(c):
 
 def connect_mqtt():
     global client_ref, _mqtt_connected
-    from umqtt.robust import MQTTClient
-    gc.collect()
     info(f"Connecting to MQTT broker {MQTT_BROKER}:{MQTT_PORT} ...")
     last_error = None
     for attempt in range(3):
@@ -892,8 +890,6 @@ def connect_mqtt():
         try:
             if client_ref is not None:
                 try:
-                    if client_ref.sock:
-                        client_ref.sock.settimeout(2)
                     client_ref.disconnect()
                 except Exception:
                     pass
@@ -910,18 +906,11 @@ def connect_mqtt():
             client.connect()
             client_ref = client
             _mqtt_connected = True
-            gc.collect()
-            info(f"MQTT connected  client_id={MQTT_CLIENT_ID}  heap {gc.mem_free()} bytes")
+            info(f"MQTT connected  client_id={MQTT_CLIENT_ID}")
             return
         except Exception as e:
             last_error = e
             log_err(f"MQTT connect attempt {attempt + 1} failed: {type(e).__name__}: {e}")
-            try:
-                if client.sock:
-                    client.sock.settimeout(2)
-                    client.sock.close()
-            except Exception:
-                pass
             gc.collect()
             utime.sleep_ms(1000)
 
@@ -971,12 +960,6 @@ def check_mqtt():
             return True
         except Exception as e2:
             log_err(f"MQTT reconnect attempt {attempt + 1} failed: {e2}")
-            try:
-                if client_ref.sock:
-                    client_ref.sock.settimeout(2)
-                    client_ref.sock.close()
-            except Exception:
-                pass
             gc.collect()
             utime.sleep_ms(2000)