How to Reset a Blink Camera — Easy Steps to Follow
Are you experiencing issues with your Blink camera? Is it not functioning as it should, or are you encountering connectivity problems? Sometimes, a simple reset can work wonders in resolving such issues. In this guide, we'll walk you through the easy steps to reset a Blink camera and bring it back to its optimal performance. Whether you own a Blink Mini camera or a wired version, we've got you covered. Let's dive in!
Reasons for Resetting Blink Cameras
Before we delve into the steps of resetting your Blink camera, let's first understand the reasons why you might need to do it in the first place:
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Malfunctioning camera: If your Blink camera is not responding, not recording properly, or behaving erratically, a reset may be necessary to clear any temporary glitches.
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Connectivity issues: Sometimes, Blink cameras can struggle to maintain a stable connection with the sync module or the Blink app. A reset might help re-establish a stable connection.
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Configuration changes: When you want to reconfigure your Blink camera from scratch, a reset is required to wipe out the existing settings.
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Moving to a new location: If you're relocating your camera to a different area or home, resetting it ensures a fresh start in the new environment.
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Pre-sale or handover: If you sell your Blink camera or pass it on to someone else, resetting it removes all your settings and data.
What to Do Before Resetting
Before proceeding with the reset process, it's important to take a few preparatory steps:
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Review camera settings: Resetting your camera means reverting to its default factory settings. Take note of your current camera settings, such as motion detection preferences, recording length, or any other personalized configurations you'd like to restore later.
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Backup video clips (if possible): If your Blink camera has the option to store video clips locally or in the cloud, consider backing them up if you want to keep them before the reset.
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Check batteries or power supply: Ensure that your camera has sufficient battery power or a stable power supply to complete the reset process without interruptions.
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Remove camera from sync module (if applicable): For Blink XT, XT2, and Outdoor cameras, remove the camera from the sync module before initiating the reset.
Power Cycle the Blink Camera
In some cases, a simple power cycle might resolve minor issues with your Blink camera. Here's how to perform a power cycle:
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Turn off: Disconnect the camera from its power source or remove the batteries.
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Wait: Wait for at least 10 seconds to ensure that any residual power is fully discharged.
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Reconnect: Plug the camera back in or reinsert the batteries.
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Check status: Observe the camera's status indicators or lights to see if it has resumed normal operation.
If power cycling doesn't solve the problem, it's time to proceed with a full reset.
How to Reset Blink Camera
The method to reset Blink cameras is basically the same for all models including:
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Blink Mini Camera
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Blink Outdoor Camera
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Blink XT2 Camera
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Blink Video Doorbell
Before resetting your Blink cameras, it's important to know where the reset button is located.
The reset button's location may differ based on the Blink camera model:
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Blink XT and XT2: The reset button is located in the battery compartment. You can find it at the top right corner of the Blink camera's smooth plastic surface, right beside the Serial Number sticker. This reset button is housed within a small hole in the plastic casing, and it is slightly recessed within that hole for easy access.
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Outdoor and Indoor Cameras: The reset button is found in the battery compartment. Adjacent to the battery compartment on the right side of the plastic housing, there is a distinctive thermometer-shaped marking that extends from the top to the bottom. At the base of this marking, there is a small hole where the reset button is discreetly recessed.
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Blink Mini Camera: You can locate the Blink Mini reset button at the bottom of the camera, next to where the stand attaches.
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Blink Video Doorbell: There are two locations for the reset button, depending on your model: on the back of the device above the battery compartment or beside the QR code.
Resetting a Blink Camera Back to Factory Settings
Before you begin: If you decide to perform a factory reset, be aware that this action will erase all your camera configurations. You'll need to set up your Blink outdoor cameras again. To avoid this, you can try power cycling your camera system first by unplugging your internet modem for a few minutes and then plugging it back in. If the issue persists, you can attempt the same power cycle process with your Sync Module.
To proceed with a full factory reset:
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Locate the physical reset button: Identify the small pinhole reset button on the bottom of your Blink camera.
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Press and hold: Insert a small object like a paper clip into the pinhole and hold the reset button for 30 seconds.
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Factory reset complete: After 30 seconds, your camera should be back to its factory defaults.
If you only want to reset the camera without erasing your Blink camera settings, you can press and hold the reset button for about 5 seconds. This short reset should resolve minor camera issues.
Resetting with the Blink App
If your Blink camera is still connected to the Blink app, you can perform a reset using the app itself:
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Open the Blink App: Launch the Blink app on your smartphone or tablet.
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Locate and delete the camera: Find the camera in your Blink system and delete it from the app.
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Perform factory reset: After deleting the camera, proceed with the full factory reset procedure mentioned earlier.
Resetting the Sync Module with a Paper Clip or Safety Pins
Warning: Performing a factory reset on your Sync Module will disconnect all paired devices in your Blink camera system and place the Sync Module into setup mode.
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Locate the reset button: Look for the small reset button on the back of the sync module.
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Prepare a tool: Straighten a paper clip or use a safety pin to access the reset button.
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Press and hold: Gently insert the tool into the reset button and hold it down for about 5 seconds. You will see a red light flash.
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Release the button: After 15 seconds, a blinking blue light and solid green light will show in front of the device.
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Wait for syncing: The sync module will go through a brief syncing process. Wait until the blue light becomes solid before moving forward.
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QR Code of the Device Serial Number (DSN)
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USB 2.0 Type-A port for USB flash drive
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Reset Button
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Power port (standard mini-USB 5v 1A)
Post-Reset Configuration Settings
Once the reset process is complete, you'll need to reconfigure your Blink camera. Here's what you need to do:
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Add camera to sync module (if applicable): If you removed your camera from the Sync Module before the reset, follow the usual process to add the camera back to your existing Blink system.
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Reconnect to the app: If your camera was previously connected to the Blink app, use the app to re-add the camera to your account.
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Configure settings: Set up your preferred camera settings, including motion detection zones, recording length, and any other customizations you desire.
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Verify connectivity: Ensure that your camera is properly connected to the sync module or the app and that it's functioning as expected.
Common Issues When You Reset Blink Cameras
While resetting your Blink camera can resolve various problems, it's essential to be aware of some common issues you may encounter during or after the reset process:
Blink camera not powering on: If your camera doesn't turn on after the reset, double-check the power source, batteries, or power cable connection.
Sync module connection problems: If your camera is not syncing with the module, try moving the camera closer to the Sync Module or check for potential Wi-Fi interference.
Difficulty adding camera to app: If you encounter issues while re-adding the camera to the Blink app, ensure that you're using the correct account credentials and that your app is updated.
Camera offline: If your camera shows as offline in the app, check your Wi-Fi network's stability and make sure the sync module is within range.
Sync module connectivity issues: If the sync module doesn't connect to the Wi-Fi network, power cycle the module, and ensure the Wi-Fi credentials are correct.
FAQ
Where is the Blink camera reset button?
The reset button's location may vary depending on the Blink camera model. For Blink XT, XT2, Outdoor, and Indoor cameras, you can find the reset button in the battery compartment. In the case of Blink Mini cameras, the reset button is located at the bottom, right next to where the stand attaches.
How do I reset my Blink wired camera?
The process of resetting a Blink wired camera is similar to the other models. Locate the reset button on the camera, use a paper clip or safety pin to press and hold the button for about 15 seconds, and wait for the camera to restart.
How do I reset my Blink camera offline?
If your Blink camera is offline, a reset might not be the solution. First, check your Wi-Fi network's stability and make sure your camera and Blink sync module are within range. If the issue persists, try power cycling both the camera and the sync module. If the camera still doesn't connect, troubleshoot your Wi-Fi network and consult Blink's support resources.
Why can't I reset my Blink camera?
If you're having difficulty resetting your Blink camera, ensure you're pressing and holding the reset button for the correct duration (usually 15-20 seconds). Also, verify that your camera has sufficient power during the reset process.
Why won't my Blink camera connect to my Sync Module?
Connectivity issues between the camera and the Blink Sync Module can occur due to several reasons. Ensure that both devices are within the recommended range of each other and that no significant obstacles or interference are affecting the connection. Also, check if the Sync Module is functioning correctly and has a stable internet connection.
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