diff --git a/gauge.py b/gauge.py
index 9731ace..3e2fa4a 100644
--- a/gauge.py
+++ b/gauge.py
@@ -561,6 +561,7 @@ def connect_wifi(ssid, password, timeout_s=15, force_reconnect=False):
     last_error = None
     for attempt in range(_WIFI_CONNECT_ATTEMPTS):
         info(f"WiFi connecting to '{ssid}' (attempt {attempt + 1}/{_WIFI_CONNECT_ATTEMPTS}) ...")
+        _reset_wifi_interface()
         try:
             _wifi_sta.connect(ssid, password)
             deadline = utime.time() + timeout_s
@@ -600,7 +601,7 @@ def check_wifi():
 
     log_err("WiFi lost connection — attempting reconnect...")
     try:
-        ip = connect_wifi(WIFI_SSID, WIFI_PASSWORD, timeout_s=15, force_reconnect=True)
+        ip = connect_wifi(WIFI_SSID, WIFI_PASSWORD, timeout_s=15)
         info(f"WiFi reconnected! IP:{ip}")
     except Exception as e:
         log_err(f"WiFi reconnect failed: {e}")
@@ -889,20 +890,6 @@ def connect_mqtt():
     for attempt in range(3):
         gc.collect()
         try:
-            import usocket
-            s = usocket.socket(usocket.AF_INET, usocket.SOCK_STREAM)
-            s.settimeout(3)
-            try:
-                s.connect((MQTT_BROKER, MQTT_PORT))
-                info("  broker port reachable")
-            except Exception as e:
-                warn(f"  broker unreachable: {e}")
-            try:
-                s.close()
-            except Exception:
-                pass
-            del usocket
-            gc.collect()
             if client_ref is not None:
                 try:
                     if client_ref.sock: