One of the users’ most frustrating issues with the Wyze Cam security camera is difficulty connecting it to their home WiFi network. The Wyze Cam cannot stream video or send notifications to your phone without a connection. Getting the Wyze camera online is crucial for it to function as intended.
There are several potential reasons why the Wyze Cam may fail to connect, ranging from router settings to hardware defects. With the right troubleshooting steps, you can get to the bottom of Wyze Cam connectivity issues and have the camera back online, protecting your home.
Step 1: Examine the Wyze Cam’s Location
A Wyze Cam must be within range of your wireless router’s signal to connect to your home network. One of the first things to check is the Wyze Cam’s proximity to the router.
Wyze recommends installing cameras within 25 feet of the router, with minimal physical barriers between them. Thick walls, floors, and interference from other electronics can all impact WiFi signal strength.
Try temporarily moving the Wyze Cam to a location 10-15 feet away from your router and see if connectivity improves.
You may need to invest in a range extender if the camera’s intended location is just out of reach. Finding the wireless “sweet spot” is key to keeping your Wyze Cams connected.
Step 2: Reset the Camera to Factory Settings
If location isn’t the culprit, resetting the Wyze Cam to factory settings can eliminate software issues that prevent connectivity.
How to Reset Wyze Camera to Factory Settings
You can reset the camera by pressing and holding the setup button on the bottom for 10–15 seconds until the light flashes yellow. This resets the configuration and restores the original software.
After resetting, go through the setup in the Wyze app again, selecting your network name and entering the password when prompted.
How Factory Reset Wyze Camera May Help You Solve Connectivity Problems
Resetting erases any problematic settings that may have prevented the camera from accessing your home network. It’s an easy way to give the Wyze Cam a clean slate if you’re still having issues after relocating it.
Step 3: Adjust Your Router Settings
Some router security settings can inadvertently block devices from connecting to the network. Log into your router admin page and check for any restrictions.
For example, MAC address filtering only allows approved MAC addresses to connect.
Since your Wyze Cam has its own unique MAC address, it may be getting blocked. Try turning off MAC address filtering temporarily to see if that fixes connectivity.
Also, check if your router uses port blocking that could restrict the Wyze Cam. Consider briefly switching your wireless security to an open network to determine if your WPA2 or WPA3 encryption protocol is the culprit. Just remember to reset your wireless password afterward.
Step 4: Update the Firmware
Outdated firmware can also cause connection issues with the Wyze Cam. Firmware is the internal operating software that runs the camera. Wyze periodically releases firmware updates to fix bugs and improve performance.
Make sure your Wyze Cam is running the latest firmware version. You can check for and install updates in the Wyze app. Tap on your camera, go to the settings menu, then tap Firmware Update. Install any available updates.
Updating to the newest firmware provides compatibility fixes that may require the camera to connect to your router. New security patches in firmware updates could also resolve vulnerabilities blocking access. Maintaining up-to-date firmware is an easy step to optimize connectivity.
Step 5: Check if Other Devices are Connected
Determine if the Wyze Cam issue is isolated or other devices cannot connect to your network. Connect your phone, computer, or another wireless device, like a smart speaker, to the network.
If multiple devices cannot get online, there may be a wider issue with your router or ISP preventing connectivity. But if it’s just the Wyze Cam having problems, it points to a camera-specific issue.
Note any error messages you get when attempting connections and if the failures are consistent or intermittent. This helps narrow down where the root cause lies.
Observing how other devices interact with your network gives useful diagnostic information when troubleshooting Wyze Cam problems. It helps pinpoint whether the camera is malfunctioning or the network has a broader configuration problem.
Step 6: Consider Alternate Placement Options
If your Wyze Cam location has borderline WiFi coverage, you may need to get creative with placement to improve the signal. There are a few positioning hacks to try:
- Mount the camera on an exterior wall closest to your router instead of an interior wall.
- Elevate the Wyze Cam by mounting it higher up, minimizing signal absorption.
- Point the camera’s front face toward the router location instead of away from it.
- Purchase a wireless range extender and place it halfway between the camera and router.
Finding the right positioning, elevation, and direction balance can optimize signal strength if the Wyze Cam location is at the edge of the coverage zone. Improving placement may resolve connectivity without needing to purchase additional equipment.
Conclusion
Solving Wyze Cam connectivity issues requires a mix of relocating the device, resetting software, adjusting router settings, updating firmware, testing with other devices, contacting support, and adjusting placement. With the right combination of troubleshooting steps, you can understand why the Wyze Cam cannot access your home network. Stable connectivity is essential for the Wyze Cam to function as a smart security camera. Putting in the effort to troubleshoot ensures you get the most protection and value from your Wyze device. Getting the camera reliably connected to the network will provide peace of mind.
