Blink Cameras is a famous line of security cameras designed to provide homeowners with a reliable and accessible means of monitoring their homes.
One of the critical features of the Blink Camera system is the Live View function, which allows users to remotely access live video footage of their home at any time via the Blink app. This feature is handy for checking in on pets and children or monitoring suspicious activity.
However, some Blink Camera users have reported issues with the Live View function. Specifically, they have experienced a problem where the Live View feature is unavailable, preventing them from accessing live video footage from their Blink Cameras.
Failure to use the Live View function can indicate problems ranging from inconsistent connectivity to dead batteries. It will also help if you restart your modem, Blink Application, and Blink camera.
This post will introduce you to the Live View function and some troubleshooting ideas to attempt if you encounter any issues. Let’s go.
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Why does my Blink Camera doesn’t have Live View?
Despite being dependable and user-friendly, Blink cameras are subject to technological difficulties.
If your Live View isn’t working correctly, it might be because your Wi-Fi connection is inadequate, with only 1 Mbps upload speed.
The camera must have an upload speed of at least 2 MB per second to connect to the Blink app. If your cameras are too far from your Sync Module, you may experience problems with Live View.
Furthermore, Blink suggests only utilizing AA 1.5V Lithium batteries, which provide enough juice to power your gadgets.
Users have reported that their cameras cannot record or access Live View because they are powered by alkaline or rechargeable batteries (or their batteries were depleted).
Is Blink’s camera live all the time?
Unfortunately, Blink cameras do not record 24/7, but with a subscription plan, you can use Live View without a time limit. It’s possible to watch up to five minutes of live video at a time and save it using a Blink local storage option.
Read more information here: Are Blink Cameras Constantly Recording?
Live View on Blink Cameras and Alexa
Live View streams audio and video from your Blink camera to the Blink Home Monitor app. In addition, compatible Alexa devices may use voice commands to access the Live View function.
Most Blink cameras can help you converse with recipients being observed by the camera through the “Two-Way Audio” on the Live View interface. This is the case for both indoor and outdoor variants. The Home Monitor app can also access additional Live View capabilities like gestures and video recording.
Tap the “Live View symbol” for the linked camera if you want to access any specific camera to set up Live View.
Quick Facts
Alexa-enabled devices can also receive motion and sound alerts from Blink Cameras, as well as arm and disarm the camera system using voice commands.
In addition to Blink Cameras, Alexa can be integrated with a wide range of smart home devices, including thermostats, door locks, and lighting systems.
Amazon offers an Alexa-compatible Blink Mini camera, which is a compact indoor camera that offers 1080p HD video, motion detection, and two-way audio.
Why is my Live View not working on Alexa?
When there is a problem between the Blink Camera and Alexa, Alexa can’t recognize your Blink Camera. Fixing the connection issue would resolve the problem. Unpair your Blink device from your Alexa and re-pair it again.
How to Troubleshoot Blink Camera Live View Issues?
If your Live View fails, you may do a few things.
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| No Video or Audio on Live View | Check the camera’s battery level. Make sure the camera is not in use by another app. Check that the Blink camera is not offline. |
| Poor Video or Audio Quality on Live View | Use the “Auto” resolution setting to optimize video quality. Move the camera closer to the Wi-Fi router. Check that the camera lens is not dirty or obstructed. |
| Delayed Video or Audio on Live View | Change the Wi-Fi network channel on the router. Move the router and camera to different locations. Use a Wi-Fi range extender to boost the signal strength. |
| Live View is Unavailable | Check that the Blink camera is armed. Reset the Blink Sync Module if necessary. Contact Blink customer support for assistance. |
| Motion Detection is Not Working | Check that the motion detection zone is properly set up. Adjust the motion detection sensitivity to a higher level. Try repositioning the camera to capture more motion. |
Motion Detection Issues with Blink Cameras at Night
If your motion detection problem only occurs at night, the Infrared (IR) settings or night vision may be to blame.
- First, check if IR is enabled in the settings.
- To test this, navigate to Camera Settings > Night vision and set the control to auto or on.
- Increase the IR intensity to high.
Recent studies have shown that Blink cameras may experience issues with motion detection at night, particularly in low-light or dark conditions. This can be attributed to a few factors, including the sensitivity of the camera’s infrared sensors and the amount of ambient light available in the camera’s field of view.
In addition, some users have reported success in improving motion detection performance by updating their Blink camera firmware to the latest version, which may include bug fixes and other optimizations for low-light conditions.
Sensitivity Control
The sensitivity of the Blink camera may be adjusted to avoid false alerts caused by dogs stepping within the camera’s field of View. Sensitivity may be changed from a low (1) to a high (5) setting (9).
Check that your camera’s sensitivity is not set too low since this might cause your motion sensor to malfunction.
A camera installed inside a garage is a typical example. You’ll need to increase the sensitivity because a garage is a low-activity area.
Fact check
The Blink Home Monitor app now includes a feature that allows users to fine-tune the motion detection sensitivity settings for their Blink cameras. This feature, called “Sensitivity Control,” allows users to adjust the level of motion detection sensitivity for each camera individually, providing greater customization and control over the camera’s behavior. This feature can be accessed through the “Camera Settings” menu in the Blink Home Monitor app and can help users optimize their camera’s performance based on their specific needs and environment.
How do I fix my Blink camera delay?
Blink Camera’s Maximum Range
The motion may occur beyond your camera’s maximum detecting range at times. Blink Cameras can detect motion up to a distance of 20 feet away.
A Blink camera’s most excellent detection range is between 5 and 20 feet (1.5 to 6m). This implies that if the motion occurs very near your camera, Blink may not detect or capture it.
Select Motion in Settings to adjust the camera by moving the slider left. This will change the retrigger time value to 60 seconds. You can also move the slider right to decrease the retrigger time value.
Blink Camera Not Recording: Subscription Expired
If your problem is that Blink is not recording events but rather detecting them, you may have a problem saving the data from your camera.
All Blink devices have a 30-day free trial of Blink subscription plus, which keeps photographs and videos taken with your camera in the Amazon cloud.
After 30 days, subscribe to Blink (cloud storage) or connect a USB flash drive (local storage) to your sync module.
It should be noted that the USB flash drive option is only accessible in sync module 2, not the original sync module.
If your camera isn’t capturing events, check if your subscription is active or a USB flash drive is attached to your sync module. You must purchase a $10/month Blink subscription plus plan if you have many Blink cameras.
| Benefits of a Blink Camera Subscription |
|---|
| 1. Video recording: With an active subscription, your Blink camera will be able to record and store video footage when motion is detected. |
| 2. Extended cloud storage: Subscription plans can provide additional storage space beyond the default limit for Blink’s cloud storage service. |
| 3. Multi-user access: Some Blink subscription plans allow for multiple users to access the same camera feeds and video recordings. |
| 4. Advanced features: Some Blink subscription plans offer additional features, such as customizable motion detection zones, two-way audio, and more. These features can provide additional functionality and customization for your Blink camera system. |
Blink Live View without a Subscription
Other models of Blink cameras receive Motion Notifications in the app even without a subscription. Tap on the notification to watch the Live View; you’ll notice that no videos are saved, but two-way audio and video from the camera will be visible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why Does My Blink Camera Occasionally Fail to Function?
The most common reason a Blink camera does not detect motion is that motion detection is off in the Blink camera settings, or the camera is not armed.
Other causes include low sensitivity settings, activation of activity zones, incorrect IR settings, and exceeding the maximum range.
How Do I Reset My Blink Camera After Changing the Battery?
To accomplish this, take the batteries out for ten seconds, then put them back in. Inspect your camera to check whether it reacts to commands.
Try using a new power source if the previous methods don’t work to address the problem. The camera may be powered via a micro USB connection and a USB power adapter.
Can you use a Blink camera as a baby monitor?
Blink cameras could not do all the functions of a baby monitor.
Baby monitors usually provide a continuous stream of footage, while a Blink camera isn’t on for 24 hours. Certain motions trigger blink cameras, or you can set them to be recorded during a specific period.
Do Blink cameras report to the police?
Blink cameras do not automatically report to the police.
Blink cameras can only send a mobile notification to your device that a particular motion has been triggered. You can also review the footage or the live feed and decide if you would like to contact the authorities. The prerogative would still be with the users.
Conclusion
If your Live View isn’t working correctly, it might be due to several issues. Just follow the troubleshooting steps I shared with you in this article.
This issue can frustrate homeowners who rely on the Live View feature for peace of mind and home security.
Restarting your camera and sync module, resetting the camera, or syncing the module with a good internet signal would always help. After all, most Blink devices include a reset button that allows users to troubleshoot their gadgets.
Moreover, the sensitivity of the Blink camera may be adjusted to avoid false alerts caused by dogs stepping within the camera’s field of View. Lastly, if your camera isn’t recording events, check to see if your subscription is active or if a USB flash drive is attached to your camera.