diff --git a/gauge.py b/gauge.py
index 322805c..9731ace 100644
--- a/gauge.py
+++ b/gauge.py
@@ -889,12 +889,20 @@ def connect_mqtt():
     for attempt in range(3):
         gc.collect()
         try:
-            _wifi_sta = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
-            if _wifi_sta.isconnected():
-                _wifi_sta.active(False)
-                utime.sleep_ms(100)
-                _wifi_sta.active(True)
-                utime.sleep_ms(200)
+            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:
@@ -1350,7 +1358,7 @@ def main():
     info("=" * 48)
 
     gc.collect()
-    connect_wifi(WIFI_SSID, WIFI_PASSWORD, force_reconnect=True)
+    connect_wifi(WIFI_SSID, WIFI_PASSWORD)
 
     mqtt_attempts = 0
     while True:
@@ -1363,7 +1371,7 @@ def main():
             if mqtt_attempts % 3 == 0:
                 log_err("WiFi may be stale — forcing reconnect...")
                 try:
-                    connect_wifi(WIFI_SSID, WIFI_PASSWORD, force_reconnect=True)
+                    connect_wifi(WIFI_SSID, WIFI_PASSWORD)
                 except Exception as we:
                     log_err(f"WiFi reconnect failed: {we}")
             utime.sleep_ms(5000)