I recently discovered my Blink camera is not detecting motion as it usually does. After some research, I found the camera has a poor Wi-Fi connection that restricts the notification and other security functions. Did your blink camera similarly stop detecting motions even if there are activities? Don’t worry. This common issue can easily be solved by following simple steps.
Why Blink cameras do not detect motion varies on several factors. Maybe the motion detection is disabled, the security cam lacks a Wi-Fi connection, the device is disarmed, or there is a wrong camera setting or incorrect placement. So, several reasons can cause the blinking camera not to detect motion.
If your blink system has a similar problem, ensure the motion detection is turned on first. Next, ensure there is no obstacle between camera lenses and others. So this guide explains why Blink cameras stop detecting motion and how it fixes them in minutes. Additionally, we discuss vital considerations and frequently asked questions related to the topic.
Why is My Blink Camera Not Detecting Motion?
Disabled motion detection is the most common reason your blink camera stops detecting events. Additionally, it is vital to keep your blink system armed to function all security features accordingly. Sometimes, we disarm the cam (turn off security features) and forget. Similarly, other reasons can also develop the issue in your blink systems.
Blink Camera is Disarmed
A disarmed blink camera won’t record motion and send video alerts to your blink app. So, keeping your blink system arm is vital when you are willing to monitor specific areas. This feature is mainly used when users are at home and won’t get alerts from their system. Sometimes, we turn on this option and forget to disable it.
Also Read: Blink Camera Armed vs Disarmed – Key Diffrences to Know
Wrong Camera Setting
The wrong camera setting is another vital reason your Blink camera is not detecting motion. These settings include sensitivity, motion detection, zones, scheduling, video alerts, and other options. Wrong customizations in these features can cause trouble in blink security features. For example, too low or too high sensitivity can interrupt the motion detection.
Incorrect Placement
The manufacturer always suggests mounting the blink camera in the correct place. The camera lenses should get a clear view of your monitoring space. Any obstacle between camera lenses and the space can restrict the motion detection feature. Over time, our blink system loses its position from its mounting place. That’s why ensuring the blink system is placed correctly is important.
Poor Internet Network
Blink systems should be connected to a stable internal network. Any disturbance in the wifi signal can restrict the communication between the blink camera and the software. As a result, you won’t get motion detection alerts, recording, etc. Additionally, the occasion can develop other security faults in your blink system. So always ensure the blink device is connected to a strong internet.
Error in Power Supply
Besides a wifi connection, electrical power is vital to function as a blink camera. Fluctuation in voltage can cause motion detection issues in your blink system. Additionally, you should ensure the battery has the power to operate the device correctly. If there is a low or dead battery, replacing them is the best option.
Storage Issue
Finally comes storage issues that also restrict motion detection in Blink cameras. Remember, bink systems need a USB drive or cloud subscription to store videos on the app. You can also collect data for free in a 30-day trial. Once the trial subscription expires, users can’t access recordings to their blink camera. So ensure you have running storage to avail the events.
How to Fix a Blink Camera Not Detecting Motion Issues?
Now it’s time to discuss fixes for blink cameras that won’t detect motion. Go through each steps to cross-check and try to know what will works for you. I have also added my solution that works for me.
My Solution:
- Firstly Disarm the System.
- You need to Safely eject Flash Drive and remove it.
- Deleting Sync Module from App (QR code Scan needed)
- Now Hold reset button until Red Light shows.
- Wait and Watch for Solid Green and blinking Blue light.
- Again Add Sync Module using App (scan QR code and enter network info)
- Choose and add existing camera system to Sync Module
- Once added camera and sync module, re-connect Flash Drive.
- Wait and then Arm System and check. (arming may fail at first but needed to wait more)
Check the Wifi Connection
The very first thing you should check is the wifi connection. Your blink system needs to be online to function correctly. Sometimes, server outages, IP conflicts, and poor signals restrict communication between BlinkCam and the software. As a result, security features won’t operate normally. In this case, you should follow a few steps to troubleshoot the problem.
First, ensure the sync module or blink system has three bars on its Wifi connection LED. It is an official recommendation to ensure the blink camera is online.
Secondly, check for any server outage or maintenance in your locality. Sometimes, your broadband provider goes through an inspection that limits the internet signal. Call them and ask for help, or wait.
Next, you should power cycle the router by removing the power cord and waiting for a minute before plugging it in. It will help to re-establish the connection between the router and the blink system. Lastly, keep your router closer to the blink camera for better connection.
Ensure the Blink is Armed
Once you set up the blink camera, it remains disarmed. You have to arm the camera manually. A disarmed blink means the device won’t start motion detection and recording. Once you arm the device, it enables the security features. To arm and disarm the system, follow the simple steps below.
Launch the blink app on your mobile. From the homepage, go to the bottom right corner. Here, you get the toggle option to arm or disarm the blink camera. Running the gray man icon indicates the device is disarmed, while running the blue icon means the system is armed. So, toggle the option according to your needs.
Adjust the Camera Setting
Wrong camera settings can restrict motion detection and other security features in the blink system. This includes motion detection, sensitivity, camera view, zones, and alerts. All these features are vital to a functioning camera in its regular form. So, we adjust each setting step by step below.
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Motion detection
Open your blink app and go to the bottom right corner of the homepage. You get a motion detection option, enabling the toggle.
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Activity zones
Secondly, adjust the activity zones to your blink camera. Remember, camera lenses are divided into 25-degree angle views. Users can turn on or off the zones according to their monitoring needs. So open the Blink app, go to camera settings, tap on activity zones, and reset the angle view.
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Motion sensitivity
Another vital security option is motion sensitivity. This option determines how often the camera lenses capture the motion in its view. Users mainly use this setting to avoid false alerts of pets or traffic. Motion sensitivity ranges between 1 to 9, most users prefer 7 for correct motion detection. So go to the app > camera setting > motion setting > motion sensitivity and move the slider according to need.
Similarly, enable the motion alerts and video recording option in your blink camera.
Check Motion Scheduling
Sometimes, we schedule our blink camera to stop motion detection or alerts at certain times of the day. Maybe some people sleep during that time or stay home after work. If so, your camera won’t enable the security feature. So, ensuring that the schedule mode is on in your blink system is vital.
Start by opening the Blink app on your phone > scroll down, tap on settings from the bottom of the screen > click on your device and system setting > Select the system and tap on scheduling > click on the + icon and adjust the time to arm or disarm the camera.
Correctly Positioned the Camera
All the blink cameras include indoor, outdoor, and video detect motion using Passive Infrared. This technology senses heat emissions from humans, pets, and others. But the sensor doesn’t work behind the glass or other obstacles.
That’s why placing your camera in a free space with clear views is important. Additionally, you should keep the cam away from heat or cold sources like sun, air conditioning, and others.
Besides, you should understand that a narrow view can miss the events by reducing the motion detection. On the other hand, a wide view can increase false alerts to your blink system. Follow a few tips to position the blink camera correctly in such circumstances.
Try to mount your outdoor blink camera 8-10 feet above the floor and under a shaded place. Additionally, you tilt the lenses so they keep hidden from direct sunlight.
You can mount indoor cameras anywhere until it’s connected to a strong Wi-Fi network.
Check for Firmware Updates
Now comes the firmware status, which can interrupt blink systems’ motion detection and other security features. The manufacturer develops the latest software to fix these devices’ bugs, glitches, or software issues over time. So, keeping your blink camera updated with the latest firmware is vital. You can check the software status from the Blink app and install the new version if available. So the following steps are below.
Open the blink app on your smartphone > go to the sync module setting > check for any firmware updates > download the latest version, and install it on your system.
If you have trouble checking the status or downloading the firmware, try installing the latest version of the Blink app. Most times, the latest Blink app automatically downloads the latest firmware and installs it.
Ensure the Storage Plan
If your blink system has issues with recording events rather than motion detection, there may be a storage problem. Blink offers users two storage options: a cloud subscription or a local USB drive. They also offer a 30-day free trial to record and store data on the storage. Blink stops recording and saving data if the subscription expires or storage is full.
So, keeping your cloud storage or local USB connected is vital to saving events. Blink cloud subscription plans that support sync modules start from $10/month. For local USB drives, users should use sync module 2.
Reset the Blink System and Reconnect
Sometimes, old blink devices develop glitches or software issues that cause malfunction. In this case, you can power cycle the system and reconnect it for a better connection. If the process doesn’t work, you can try factory reset to bring the default setting.
Remember, the process can remove all existing data, including videos, images, paired devices, and others. So, it is crucial to follow the steps if nothing works to fix the irregularity in the blink system.
First, locate the reset button on your blink system > Use a paper clip to press and hold the button for 5 to 10 seconds A red LED starts flashing on the device that indicates the reset process is started > Once the flashing LED is gone, the reset process will complete.
Depending on your blink model, the reset button is located. For example, Blink Mini includes the switch underside. On the other hand, Blink outdoor, indoor, XT2, and XT, carry the reset button on the panel’s backside.
Contact Blink Support Team
If you perform all the steps recommended above, the motion detection problem won’t be solved, you may need to contact the Blink support team. Your blink may have technical faults or serious software issues that professionals can only fix. Contact the support team and ask for repair or replacement.
Blink contact number: – 1-833-392-5465.
FAQs
Below are the most asked questions related to the topic. Drop down to get your quick answers.
How Do I Increase Motion Detection on My Blink Camera?
You can easily increase motion detection on blink cameras by enhancing the motion sensitivity. However it is not always helpful and can cause false alerts from pets or other objects.
What is the Best Retrigger Time on Blink?
The default retrigger time in the blink camera is 15-30 seconds, which is perfect in most cases. Still, you can change the duration between 10-60 seconds.
Why Are My Blink Cameras Failing to Arm?
Several reasons vary when blink cameras fail to arm. Poor Wi-Fi networks, draining batteries, IP conflict, and sync module errors are the most common. You can fix the problem by power cycling blink, sync module, and router.
What is the Best Motion Sensitivity for Blink?
Motion sensitivity between 8-7 is considered the best for blink cameras. Still, you should change the sensitivity if you need to.
How Far Away Does Blink Detect Motion?
Generally, blink cameras detect motion from 7 to 19 feet away. The camera lenses can also respond from 30-foot distance depending on their placement, objects, and other factors.
Conclusion
So, above is a detailed guide about why Blink cameras are not detecting motion and how to fix it. We hope you get a detailed answer related to the topic. Remember, many reasons can vary when your blink system stops detection motion. First, you should check the motion detection is on. Secondly, check if the blink is online. Next, follow the correct camera setting, placement, latest firmware, etc. If your blink system has no technical issues, the above steps are enough to fix the problem.
