Blink cameras may sometimes flash red, which may indicate an issue. If this occurs, there are a few things to look into.
First, check the battery. If the red light is blinking more than six times, this usually indicates that a replacement camera is necessary.
Battery
A blink camera’s battery is essential for its operation. It keeps the device running and enables notifications when something occurs in your home. With regular usage, a battery should last at least two years.
Blink recommends using lithium AA batteries for your cameras. These are more reliable than alkaline batteries, boasting twice the energy density, and offer twice the voltage – meaning they can handle more power without being too heavy.
These batteries tend to be pricier than standard alkaline or rechargeable options, but they have better temperature resistance and longer shelf lives. You can find them from various brands and retailers alike.
To find the ideal batteries for your Blink camera, it’s wise to shop online and compare prices. Popular brands include Energizer, Enegitech, and Duracell.
Lithium batteries are an ideal choice due to their high energy density and ability to withstand heat, cold, and moisture. Furthermore, lithium batteries offer greater durability and fire-resistance than alkaline or rechargeable batteries.
These batteries can also be used in devices that need a lot of power, like flashlights and electric vehicles. Furthermore, they’re popular due to their ability to be charged via standard USB port.
Blink cameras typically last two years with normal usage and temperatures that don’t fluctuate too often. If you notice your battery is getting low or doesn’t record as well as expected, replacing the battery is recommended.
Another way to extend your camera’s battery life is by reducing the sensitivity of its motion sensors and not accessing Live View too often. This will minimize false alarms and other draining functions from using up too much battery power.
Configuring activity zones in the Blink app to only receive notifications about events taking place in certain parts of your home can save battery life and help keep it from draining too quickly.
You can monitor your device’s battery strength in the Blink app by tapping on the settings icon in the thumbnail. This indicator will let you know whether or not a replacement is necessary.
Internet Connection
Blink cameras rely on Wi-Fi to send images and notifications to a user’s smartphone. Without an active Wi-Fi connection, the camera cannot communicate with the app and servers; notifications won’t come through, live feed cannot be viewed, nor video clips saved to the cloud.
On the Blink App, you can check your Sync Module’s signal strength by tapping its icon in the home screen. This will display its current status and refresh both Wi-Fi and Sync Module readings simultaneously.
If the Wi-Fi signal in your Sync Module is weak, you can boost it using a wireless router extender (or similar device) to help rebroadcast the Wi-Fi from the camera. Doing so will improve its overall strength and provide more coverage for all connected devices within range.
A strong internet connection is necessary to download firmware updates for the Sync Module, Mini cameras and app. Firmware updates aim to fix bugs and enhance functionality; however they can only be downloaded when connected to your home Wi-Fi network.
It is essential to place your Sync Module near a wireless router for optimal signal strength, since Blink relies on Wi-Fi for transmission of data and commands between the device, the Blink app, and servers. A stable 2.4 GHz network with at least 2 Mbit/sec upload speed is ideal.
You can modify the Wi-Fi network for your Sync Module by opening the Blink app and selecting it in system settings. Tap ‘Change Wi-Fi Network’ then press either the reset button on the side of your Sync Module (a paperclip works just as well) to confirm changes.
When you see a blinking blue light with an uninterrupted green glow, that means the camera has successfully reset its Wi-Fi settings. Once done, follow the app’s instructions to complete setup and reconnect your Sync Module to its new Wi-Fi network.
You can install an IFTTT Applet to automatically disarm your Sync Module when you leave home. This requires the IFTTT app and works for both iOS and Android devices.
Motion Detection
When your blink camera blinks red, it could be indicative of either a problem with its battery (if low), or that it’s disconnected from the internet.
If your camera isn’t connected to the internet, it won’t be able to communicate with other devices or the Blink app. This is because all blink cameras require a special connection called the Sync Module in order to work.
The Sync Module is used to link outdoor, indoor, and mini cameras to the internet. It also enables you to set up your cameras on the Blink app for remote access and control of them with ease.
Though not necessary for your camera to function, the Sync Module can help it connect to the internet and enhance performance. To reset it, press and hold the button on the side of the device until an LED lights up.
When connecting your camera to the internet, it should glow red. Once connected, it will turn green and blue for a live video feed of your home.
However, if the light is still solid red, it indicates that the camera hasn’t been connected to the internet in some time. This indicates it’s trying to establish an Internet connection before starting recording.
One way to resolve this problem is to restart your router and reconnect the camera to it. After doing so, your Blink camera should be able to reconnect to the internet and begin recording once more.
The next step is to adjust the motion detection on your camera. This feature can significantly impact its functionality; for instance, if it’s set too sensitively, it may fail to detect moving objects in time. To reduce sensitivity, simply make necessary changes within the littlelf app settings.
Reset
Some days, all that’s necessary to get your blink camera working again is a reset of its internal components. This could be due to a power outage or simply be hardware issues requiring repair; either way, this process is easy with the Blink app.
To reset a camera device from your smartphone or computer, first connect to the camera system and then go into settings within the app. This will allow you to locate which device needs resetting.
If your camera does not have a Sync Module, you can quickly reset it with its built-in reset button. This will restore the device back to factory defaults and restore it to its original state.
Resetting your Blink camera may be necessary if it stops working or has stopped connecting to the internet, especially if you have altered your network settings or given away the camera to someone else.
If your device has stopped recording clips or streaming live, resetting it may be necessary. Press and hold down on the reset button for several seconds; this will delete any data collected from your network and allow you to reconnect it to the app.
Another issue that could prevent your camera from working properly is misconfigured privacy zones in the Blink app. This issue is particularly prevalent with Indoor (gen 2), Outdoor and XT2 cameras.
When this occurs, the camera will only display grey in your view and you must delete and re-add it to your account. You can do this through either the Blink app or by reaching out to their customer support team for assistance.
Alternately, you can use a paper clip to press the reset button located in the battery compartment on all indoor and outdoor models. Be sure to hold this for around 30 seconds for your camera to restart.
To reset your camera’s battery compartment, locate the reset button next to the right-side battery with a paper clip or other small object. It should be recessed into its designated hole and require pressing down with it.