Wyze camera not connecting? Here's how to fix the issue fast

by Joel Manansala

Wyze cameras are some of the most affordable smart devices for home security available in the market today.

Starting at less than $30, you'll get almost the same features as its $100 counterparts.

Its best-selling camera, the Wyze Cam Pan v3, is one of the economical outdoor cameras with colored night vision and advanced AI detection capabilities.

With their top-of-the-line features and low price tag, Wyze cams are the perfect smart home devices for those who are just starting in home automation.

But these features are only useful if the camera has a solid connection.

Read on to know how you can fix Wyze camera not connecting issues.

Why is my Wyze camera not connecting?

The most common reason you're having difficulty connecting your Wyze camera is your WiFi network.

You might think that connecting it to your 5 GHz local network means you're having faster connection and real-time alerts.

But in reality, you're only setting up your device to fail.

See, Wyze cams are designed to connect to a 2.4 GHz WiFi network.

To give you some idea about WiFi frequencies, a 2.4 GHz connection travels farther at slower speeds, while a 5 GHz connection travels at a shorter range and faster speed.

While allowing a much faster data transmission, a 5 GHz frequency is only as effective within 49 feet or 15 meters of range.

In comparison, the slower 2.4 GHz has a range of up to 65 feet or 20 meters.

A traditional WiFi router supports a 2.4 GHz connection.

There are routers and devices that support both bands, which means the device automatically connects to whichever frequency is more stable.

Wyze cameras only support a 2.4 GHz frequency, which means connecting them to a higher frequency will render them useless.

Another possible reason behind your trouble connecting to the network is an incorrect WiFi password when linking your internet connection on the Wyze app.

Passwords are case-sensitive, so you need to put extra care when typing.

Any addition of space before or after typing or any misplaced special characters will cause failure in connection.

You might also want to check if your device is using the latest firmware version.

Pinning down the exact reason why your device is not connecting to the network can be tough, but with some troubleshooting tips, you should be able to identify the issue.

Ways to fix the Wyze camera network connection

Update your device

Wyze devices regularly get firmware updates.

This ensures your camera is updated with the latest features and security patches.

Running the latest software means maintaining compatibility and avoiding glitches in your camera.

To check if your device is up to date:

  1. Open the Wyze app on your mobile device and tap on your Wyze cam.
  2. Tap on the Settings gear in the upper right corner.
  3. Select Device Info and tap Firmware Version.
  • If you don't see the option to upgrade, that means your device is running the latest firmware.

Forget the WiFi network & reconnect

If your device appears to be connected to your WiFi network but is not working properly, the first thing you want to do is to disconnect it.

Your WiFi data is saved during the setup process, so treat the reconnecting process as if you're connecting new devices to your network.

  1. In the Wyze app, tap Home.
  2. Tap the "+" sign in the top left, then select Add Device > Cameras.
  3. Select your camera version.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to add your camera back to your network.

Unplug the camera and plug it back in

This may sound too basic, but rebooting or power cycling your device has been a proven and tested solution to glitches.

Doing a hard reboot could help clear out bugs and refresh your camera.

Restart your Wyze camera, WiFi network, and phone.

To perform a hard reboot or power cycle on your camera:

  1. Unplug the device from the power outlet / solar panel and wait 5 minutes for it to discharge.
  2. Reconnect the USB cable.
  3. Restart the device and reconnect it to the WiFi network.
  4. Open the Wyze app and check if your camera can connect.

To restart your WiFi network:

  1. Unplug the router and wait for 20-30 seconds.
  2. Plug it back in.
  3. Wait for the network to initialize and test if you can access the internet.

Clear the Wyze app cache

Cache build-up can affect your app's functionality in the long run.

Clearing the Wyze app cache helps in refreshing the app and freeing memory space.

To clear the app cache:

  1. Go to phone settings and select apps.
  2. Find the Wyze app, tap storage, and select clear cache.
  3. Return to the previous page and tap "Force stop" at the bottom of the menu.

Check if your network is 2.4 GHz

As previously mentioned, Wyze devices are only capable of connecting to a 2.4 GHz frequency.

Newer routers are usually dual-band, which means they allow transmission and reception of data using both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, simultaneously or one at a time.

Make sure to turn off the 5 GHz option on the admin portal to ensure your camera is only connecting to the 2.4 GHz band.

Switch the WiFi channel

Switching WiFi channels should be treated as if you're connecting a new device to the network.

Follow the standard setup process:

  1. Open the Wyze app on your Android or iOS device.
  2. Log in to your Wyze account.
  3. Connect the camera to a USB port or a power outlet. Wait for about 30 seconds or until a yellow light flashes.
  4. Press and hold the setup button at the back of the device until you hear it's ready to connect.
  5. On the app, click the three dots in the upper right corner.
  6. Select "Add a Product" and tap on the correct camera model you want to connect.
  7. Follow the prompts on the set-up window.
  8. Choose your WiFi network name and connect your Wyze using the correct password.
  9. Scan the QR code generated on the app using your Wyze cam. Tap on "I heard the voice command" when you hear "QR code scanner".
  10. Select a new label for your device.

Do a factory reset

Doing a factory reset of the camera will wipe out the device settings and configurations.

  1. Connect the camera to a power source.
  2. Remove the microSD card (if any).
  3. Hold down the setup button for 5-10 seconds.
  4. Wait for a solid or blinking yellow light (red for Wyze Cam v3).
  5. Wait for the reset process to be completed. It can take 5 minutes.
  6. Set up your camera on the Wyze app.

Check the MAC filtering

MAC address filtering prevents new and unknown devices from connecting to the router.

Check that this is disabled by going to your router's admin portal.

Scroll down the MAC filtering option or "network filter".

You can either customize access to your network or just turn the filter off completely.

FAQ

How do I get my Wyze camera back online?

There are several reasons and solutions for a disconnected Wyze camera. One of the most common is not having the right bandwidth. Wyze devices are programmed to run on a 2.4 GHz WiFi frequency. Connecting them to a 5 GHz frequency won't work. If you're encountering software issues, power cycling or rebooting your camera is the easiest fix. Do this by unplugging the device for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. You can also try rebooting your router. If nothing works, your last option is to perform a factory reset. Do keep in mind that this will wipe out your device clean.

How do I reset my Wyze camera?

To reset a Wyze camera:

  1. Connect the camera to a power source.
  2. Remove the microSD card (if any).
  3. Hold down the setup button for 5-10 seconds.
  4. Wait for a solid or blinking yellow light (red for Wyze Cam v3).
  5. Wait for the reset process to be completed. It can take 5 minutes.
  6. Set up your camera on the Wyze app.

Why is my Wyze camera flashing blue but not connecting?

A flashing blue LED indicates that your device has already recognized the router, but the network is poor.

What causes Wyze cam to go offline?

Wyze camera going offline may be due to the following:

  • Incompatible WiFi bandwidth
  • Outdated software
  • MAC filtering

Why is my Wyze cam not scanning the QR code?

This might be caused by several factors, such as glare on the screen, low brightness on the phone, and the distance between the two devices. Ensure there's no glare and your phone's brightness is set high enough. Try a factory reset if the camera still can't scan the QR code.

For a seamless and hassle-free setup, check out Wasserstein’s line of Wyze accessories. From solar panels and floodlights to mounts and adapters, our collection of accessories will ensure your Wyze camera is at its best when you need it the most.

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