It can be incredibly frustrating when you open the Wyze app to view your camera only to be met with a black screen. A Wyze camera displaying only a black screen means the video feed fails to load properly. A few potential causes of the Wyze black screen problem include power issues, network connectivity, app glitches, and more. The good news is you can also take several troubleshooting steps to fix your Wyze camera’s black screen and restore normal operation.
In this guide, we’ll cover the common reasons for the black screen issue arising in Wyze cameras and how to troubleshoot and resolve it. Let’s get your Wyze camera out of the dark.
Why is My Wyze Camera Showing a Black Screen?
Here are some of the most common culprits that can cause a black, non-responsive screen when trying to view your Wyze camera live feed:
- Power supply issue: The video fails if the camera loses consistent power.
- WiFi connectivity problem: Poor WiFi signal or network errors prevent feed connectivity.
- App technical glitch: A Wyze app bug prevents stream retrieving.
- Firmware mismatch: The camera and app firmware versions are incompatible.
- Overheating: Excess heat causes the camera imaging sensor to shut off.
- Bad cable: Faulty MicroUSB cable results in power unreliability.
- Motion detection failure: The motion sensor stops triggering video recording.
- Hardware defect: In rare cases, an issue with the camera itself causes failure.
If you suddenly find yourself looking at a black screen where your camera feed should be, one of these situations is likely the culprit.
8 Ways to Fix Wyze Camera Black Screen
Try these troubleshooting steps to get your Wyze camera back up and running when faced with a black screen:
- Force close and restart the Wyze app – This will reset the connection.
- Power cycle the camera – Unplug and fully reboot the camera.
- Check for firmware updates – Update to latest firmware in Settings.
- Make sure the WiFi connection is strong in the Wyze app.
- Try viewing the camera live feed on another device.
- Move the camera closer to your wireless router temporarily.
- Delete and re-add the camera in the Wyze app camera setup flow.
- As a last resort, perform a factory reset on the camera.
Taking methodical steps to rule out software and hardware issues can identify the cause.
Troubleshooting Solutions to Fix Wyze Camera Black Screen
To dig deeper, here are targeted solutions for specific likely black screen causes:
Power Cycling Fixes Power Supply Issues
If your Wyze cam doesn’t have consistent power, the video feed won’t load. Unplugging and replugging the USB power cable forces a reboot and resets any temporary glitches. Check that the cable is plugged securely into both the camera and charger.
Switching WiFi Bands Fixes Connectivity Issues
If your dual-band router has a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network, try forcing your Wyze camera onto each band specifically to identify connectivity issues. The 5Ghz band offers faster speeds but less range, while 2.4Ghz has greater range through walls but slower speeds.
Reinstalling the App Fixes App Glitches
Deleting and reinstalling the Wyze app often resolves app-specific bugs, preventing camera feeds from loading properly and showing black screens. Before reinstalling, force quit the Wyze app so it’s completely shut down.
Syncing Firmware Fixes Mismatch Issues
Double-check that your Wyze camera and the Wyze app have installed the latest firmware. Firmware version mismatches can cause black screen problems. Keeping firmware up-to-date prevents bugs.
Adding a Heat Sink Cools Overheating
Overheating your Wyze cam in a very hot environment can shut off the camera sensor, causing black screens. Attach an adhesive aluminum heat sink to draw heat away from the camera’s processing chip and prevent thermal shutdown.
When to Contact Wyze Support
If you still experience black screens after systematically trying the troubleshooting solutions, it may be time to contact Wyze Support for additional help:
- They can further diagnose hardware defects covered under warranty for replacement.
- They have access to advanced tools and testing to pinpoint black screen causes.
- They can advise if a certain camera needs service based on issues they’ve seen before.
- They can confirm if the problem is due to a known bug and the timeframe for a fix.
While most black screen causes can be resolved yourself, Wyze Support is there to eliminate any cameras with chronic black screen problems fully.
Conclusion
Seeing only a black void where your Wyze camera feed should be is never fun. But a little systematic troubleshooting of power issues, WiFi connectivity, firmware mismatches, app glitches, and overheating can get your camera operational once again. With the quick fixes outlined here, you can confidently get your Wyze cameras out of the dark and back, providing visual coverage.
