I have recently had customers who were having trouble connecting their Wi-Fi smart cameras to their network. In this article, I will walk through the troubleshooting steps, both conventional and unconventional, that help me help you.
If you are reading this, you probably have a Google Nest, Ring, Eufy, Reolink, or other wireless camera you are trying to set up. This is for you.
Before you start
Make sure your phone is connected to the Wi-Fi network you want the cameras to use. Some people set up a dedicated guest network for their smart devices, which is a good security measure, but I will save that for another article.
Next, make sure you have the right app installed on your phone. Depending on the camera, that could be Google Home, Ring, Reolink, or Eufy Security.
Adding the camera in the app
After you set up an account in the app, find the Add Device option, usually a plus sign (+). Follow the instructions, which may include scanning a QR code and typing in your Wi-Fi password.
In my experience, this works about 75% of the time. The rest of this article is for the unfortunate 25% where it does not.
When the camera will not connect
If the camera cannot see your Wi-Fi or will not finish connecting, you may need to make a few changes to your Wi-Fi network and router.
Check the signal where the camera will go
First, make sure the spot where the camera will live gets a strong signal. Stand there with your phone and see if it connects to your Wi-Fi. If it does not, a wireless extender can increase the range of your current network.
Give the camera a 2.4 GHz network
Many newer Wi-Fi routers use a single network name, or SSID (service set identifier), to broadcast several frequencies at once: 2.4 gigahertz (GHz), 5 GHz, and sometimes 6 GHz.
Most Wi-Fi cameras work on 2.4 GHz, and some newer models also work on 5 GHz.
The safest bet is to split your wireless network so the 2.4 GHz band has its own network name and is turned on. Some newer routers turn 2.4 GHz off altogether, so you may need to get into your router’s wireless settings to set this up.
Use WPA2 security, not WPA3
Newer routers also use newer security, like WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3). Many cameras, especially older or more typical models, do not support it.
When you set up the 2.4 GHz network, make sure WPA2 Personal is selected.
Keep the Wi-Fi password simple
In rare cases, the Wi-Fi password contains special characters the camera does not like. Stick to letters, numbers, and the more common special characters. Try to avoid these:
&%$\"'
Use the setup code instead of the QR code
If the camera gives you both a QR code and a setup code, I prefer the setup code. I have had numerous QR codes fail during setup. I only use the QR code as a fallback, or when it is the only option.
Still not connecting?
Sometimes the problem is not the camera at all. A camera at the far edge of the property may simply be too far from the router, and sometimes a wired camera is the better fit. I will tell you which.
If you are in the Tucson area and your cameras still will not stay connected, I can set them up, secure them, and troubleshoot them in person or remotely. See home computer and Wi-Fi help in Tucson, or contact me and tell me which camera you have and what the app is showing.