One of the most popular and effective home security solutions is smart home cameras. These are devices that capture and record video footage of the surroundings of the home. They can be installed indoors or outdoors, depending on the user’s preference and need. These cameras provide real-time alerts and notifications to the user’s smartphone or other device when they detect motion or sound in their field of view. One of the promising options out of all is the one designed by a brand called Blink. Smart home cameras made by Blink are available at different price ranges based on the model, making it possible for you to get the best option for your needs.
However, if such a device stops working suddenly, it can raise a cause for concern for the homeowners. The same can happen to a Blink camera, and there can be a lot of reasons that can cause this problem. To help you fix the problem right away and secure the area around your home, we have prepared this helpful guide. In this guide, we will cover all possible issues that can cause a Blink camera not to work properly or at all. You can also find possible solutions to the problem so that you can take care of the problem.
Reasons Behind Blink Camera Not Working
Sometimes your Blink camera may not work properly due to various reasons. It is important to understand the reason behind the problem and act accordingly in order to resolve it. Otherwise, you may miss important events or compromise your home security.
1. Unstable Internet Connection
A stable and strong internet connection is essential for your Blink camera to work. If your internet connection is weak, slow, or interrupted, your camera may not be able to stream or record video footage, send or receive alerts, or communicate with other devices.
2. Problem With Installed Sync Modules
The sync module is a device that connects your Blink cameras to your Wi-Fi network and the mobile app for data transfer. If your sync module is not working, your cameras may not be able to function at all. You should check the LED light on the sync module and make sure it is solid green, which means it is connected and working.
3. Problems With the Power Supply
Blink cameras also need a reliable and consistent power supply to work. If your power supply is faulty, damaged, or incompatible, your camera may not turn on or operate properly. Sometimes, the problem can be caused by faulty power outlets. It can also occur because of the problems with the connecting cables as well. Even if there is slight damage to the cable, it can result in improper power supply to the camera.
4. Battery Issues
Your Blink camera uses two AA lithium batteries that can last up to two years depending on the usage and settings. However, if your batteries are low, drained, or defective, your camera may not work or perform well. You should check the battery level in the app and make sure it is above 25%.
5. Incorrect Camera Settings
Blink cameras have various settings that users can customize according to their preferences and needs. However, if your settings are incorrect or problematic, your camera may not work as expected. For example, if you set the motion detection sensitivity too high or too low, you may miss some events or get false alerts. If you set the video quality too high or too low, you may also compromise the battery life.
6. Older Software
Blink camera has software, or rather firmware, that enables it to function and communicate with other devices. However, if the firmware is outdated or incompatible, your camera may not work as expected. You should check for software updates in the app and make sure your device has the latest version of firmware and app software.
Tips To Fix Blink Camera Not Working
Fortunately, it is quite easy to deduce the actual reason behind the Blink cameras not working in your case and find the ideal solution based on that. For that, we have prepared this list of the best solutions that can resolve the problem for you. However, make sure to understand each of these tips in detail before you take action. To simplify the process, we will be explaining each step that you need to follow with our solutions.
1. Power Cycle the Sync Module
If your sync module is not working correctly, your cameras may not be able to function at all. To power cycle the sync module, you need to do the following:
- Unplug the power cord from the back of the sync module.
- Wait for 10 seconds.
- Plug the power cord back in.
- Wait for the LED light on the sync module to turn solid green, which means it is connected and working.
2. Monitor Internet Connection
If your internet connection is weak, slow, or interrupted, your camera may not be able to stream or record video footage, send or receive alerts, or communicate with other devices. To monitor your internet connection, you need to do the following:
- Check your Wi-Fi router and network settings and make sure they are working properly.
- Place your camera and sync module close to your router or use a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal.
- Check the signal strength in the app by tapping on the camera icon and looking at the bars for the Camera to Wi-Fi and Camera to Sync Module.
3. Check the Main Power Source
If there are problems with your power source such as it is faulty or damaged your camera may not operate properly. To check your main power source, you need to do the following:
- Check the power source and make sure it is safe and suitable for your device.
- Check the power cord and adapter and make sure they are not loose or broken.
- Use a micro USB cable and a USB power adapter to power your camera with the batteries removed.
4. Check the LED Indicator Light
The LED light on the front of the camera indicates the status of the camera and its connection. If the light is a solid color, it means the camera is connected and working. If the light is blinking, it means the camera is trying to connect. Lastly, if the light is solid red, it means the camera has a low battery or no connection. Also, if the light is completely OFF, it means the camera is turned OFF or has no power at all.
5. Check the Camera Lens For Issues
Your Blink camera lens may also have problems that affect its image quality or functionality. For example, your lens may be scratched or blocked by something.
- Look at your camera lens and see if there is any dirt, dust, smudge, scratch, fog, or obstruction on it.
- If there is any dirt, dust, or smudge, gently wipe it off with a soft cloth or a lens cleaner.
- If there is any scratch or fog, contact Blink Support for a replacement or repair.
- If there is any obstruction, remove it or adjust your camera angle.
6. Check Camera Batteries
if your batteries are low, drained, or defective, your camera may not work or perform well. Therefore, make sure to check the battery level in the app. For best results, the battery percentage should be above 25%. If the battery level starts to decline below 25%, you should get a replacement and then replace the batteries at the right time to avoid missing footage or unexpected performance issues.
7. Change Motion Detection Settings
The motion detection feature of the Blink camera triggers video recording and alerts when it senses movement. But, if your motion detection settings are incorrect your camera may not work as expected. For example, if you set the motion detection sensitivity too high or too low, you may miss some events or get false alerts.
- To check the motion detection settings, open the app and tap on the camera icon.
- Tap on the gear icon to access the settings menu.
- Tap on Motion Detection.
- Adjust the slider to set the sensitivity level from 1 to 9.
- Tap on Save Changes.
8. Update Night Vision Settings
Your Blink camera has a night vision feature that allows it to capture clear images even in low-light conditions. Your camera may not work well at night if your night vision settings are not personalized based on the outdoor lighting conditions. For example, if you set the night vision intensity too high or too low, you may compromise the image quality or the battery life. To update your night vision settings, proceed with the following steps:
- Open the app and tap on the camera icon.
- Tap on the gear icon to access the settings menu.
- Tap on Night Vision Control.
- Adjust the slider to set the intensity level from 1 (low) to 3 (high).
- Tap on Save Changes.
9. Check the Battery Saver Mode
Blink cameras also come with a battery saver mode that reduces the video quality and length to conserve the battery life of the camera. And as you can imagine, extensive battery saving can cause the cameras to not work properly. Therefore, you should check and update the battery-saving mode of your Blink camera.
- Open the app and tap on the camera icon.
- Tap on the gear icon to access the settings menu.
- Tap on Video Quality.
- If Battery Saver is selected, tap on Enhanced or Best to improve the video quality and length.
- Tap on Save Changes.
10. Update Blink Camera Software
If the problem is caused by an older firmware, you can rest easy since fixing this problem is very easy. All you will have to do is update the camera firmware and you will be good to go. To update your Blink camera software:
- Open the app and tap on Settings.
- Tap on Manage Account.
- Tap on Manage Sync Modules.
- Tap on Update Firmware.
- Follow any additional instructions provided on the screen to update your device software.
11. Factory Reset the Camera
If none of the above methods work, you can try factory resetting your device to its original state. This will erase all your settings and preferences and restore your device to its default configuration. So if a faulty configuration causes the problem, it will be solved automatically.
- Use a clip or any pointed tool to press and hold the reset button on the back of the camera for at least 10 seconds until the LED light flashes rapidly.
- Open the Blink mobile app and tap on Settings.
- Tap on Manage Account.
- Tap on Manage Sync Modules.
- Tap on Add Sync Module/Camera.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to set up your device again.
12. Contact Blink Support
Similar to any other service, your last option to resolve the problem is to avail official support from the Blink support team. If none of the solutions have worked out for you, it could also indicate physical damage to the cameras, making it all the more important to get official support and avail of the necessary repair services. You can also ask for a free-of-cost repair or replacement service in case your Blink cameras are under the warranty period.
Blink Camera Not Working – FAQs
Ans: It is possible that the extra cameras are not connected to or in sync with the same sync module as the working ones. Thus, it could cause a certain camera or a set of cameras to not work. To avoid this, you need to use the Blink app to add the new cameras to the existing sync module and assign them to a system. The additional cameras may also be out of range of the sync module or the main Wi-Fi router which can result in lost camera signal. To avoid that, you can move the cameras closer to the sync module or the router or use a Wi-Fi extender to improve the signal range.
Ans: Reconnecting Blink cameras to Wi-Fi is a simple process that involves resetting the sync module and the camera and following the instructions on the app. Here’s how you can do it with ease:
*Open the Blink app on your smartphone or tablet and tap on Settings.
*Tap on Manage Account and then on Manage Sync Modules.
*Tap on Change Wi-Fi Network and follow the instructions on the screen to reset the sync module. You will need a paper clip or a similar tool to press and hold the reset button on the side of the device for 10 seconds until the LED light flashes red rapidly.
*After resetting the sync module, you will need to reset the camera as well. Use a paper clip or a similar tool to press and hold the reset button on the back of the camera for 10 seconds until the LED light flashes blue rapidly.
*Once both devices are reset, you will need to reconnect them to your Wi-Fi network. Go back to the app and tap on Add Sync Module/Camera. Follow the instructions on the screen to scan the QR codes of the devices and enter your Wi-Fi credentials
*After reconnecting, you should see your camera online and working. You can check the signal strength and battery level in the app by tapping on the camera icon
Ans: The motion detection feature can be set exclusively for each Blink camera and if it is not working with some units, it is possible that the feature is turned OFF for the same. You need to enable motion detection and arm your camera for it to detect and record motion events. Incorrect activity zones or extremely low sensitivity rates for motion detection can also be a problem and cause the camera to miss out on important motion triggers. You need to adjust the sensitivity level and the activity zones to match your desired detection area and avoid false alarms.
Ans: The Blink Mini has a reset button on the bottom side of the camera.
Ans: If you plan on adding the camera again to this system or another system,
remove the batteries or unplug it for at least 15 seconds before attempting to add
the camera. To reactivate a deleted camera, use the standard process of adding a
camera to your Blink system.
Ans: Due to a weak signal, your second Blink camera might not be functional. This
makes it unable to communicate with the Sync Module. Move the camera closer to
the Sync Module to fix it. Make sure they are no more than 100 feet apart.
Conclusion
Home security is a major concern for many people, especially in urban areas where crime rates are increasing at an alarming rate. Fortunately, there are a lot of smart home accessories and utilities available on the market that can offer you peace of mind by taking care of your home’s safety and security for you. Smart home residents can use options like the Blink smart cameras with the internet-connected smart home devices to automate and control various aspects of security, such as motion detection, night vision monitoring, real-time view, 2-way communication, etc. But it won’t be possible if one or all of your Blink cameras are not working. If you are facing such problems, you should go through our guide so that you can fix the problem with ease. Make sure to reach us in case you have any doubts about the information provided in this guide.
