Blink smart doorbells allow homeowners to check their front door through the phone, control it remotely, and playback the footage when necessary. If for some reason the doorbell does not record, you need to fix the problem as soon as possible otherwise your overall security is compromised.
There are many reasons why a Blink doorbell stopped recording (or never did record) and the most common ones are listed below:
- It’s not connected to the WiFi (internet)
- It’s not set on recording mode (via your phone app)
- The batteries have expired or the unit is experiencing other power issues
- The motion detection sensor is not working correctly
Almost all of these issues can be fixed or addressed quickly without the need for a technician or extensive technical knowledge. Let’s go through them one by one until your doorbell is recording again.
How to fix Blink doorbell that is not recording
Most of the time, the Blink doorbell doesn’t record because it is not set on the recording mode or the unit is not connected to the WiFi. Check the suggestions listed below.
Set the doorbell on the Recording Mode
The way Blink doorbell is designed to work, the user needs to give full permission to the phone to connect to the doorbell, which enables the unit to store the footage (for later playback). The doorbell needs a device to store the video.
Here’s to fix it:
- Download and install the Blink app on your phone.
- Navigate to the phone settings and give full permission to the app. This will allow the app to use the phone to record and communicate.
- Ensure that the Blink doorbell is set to Armed (you’ll find the option in the Blink app). If the doorbell is not
- Armed, then the unit will not record any footage.
Once you perform these actions, it’s recommended to reboot the camera and re-run the phone app as well.
These are the instructions for iPhone and iPad:
These are the instructions for Android phones and tablets:
The doorbell is not connected to the WiFi
It sounds obvious, but you need to check if the Blink doorbell is actually connected to your local WiFi. If the camera is not connected, it cannot communicate and as a result, nothing will get recorded.
Inspect your connection and check the Blink app to see if the unit is connected. If you have made recent changes on the network, re-type the new WiFi password.
In some cases, the doorbell and your router are simply too far away from each other and the unit struggles to connect to the WiFi. If the WiFi coverage is not strong enough, then the connection will be unstable or randomly drop.
You can either bring the devices closer to each other, or you can upgrade the router to get a unit that provides a larger coverage. Additionally, you may install a WiFi booster to increase the range of the signal.
Problem with the batteries or the power
If the batteries are about to expire, the doorbell may struggle to get stable power which can disrupt the internet connection and thus the footage. Check the battery level on the doorbell, and if it’s low, simply swap out the batteries.
Usually, when the batteries are on the lower end, the doorbell and the app will send various alerts. Pay attention to them and keep the doorbell monitored periodically to ensure that the videos are being recorded all the time.
The motion sensor is not working properly
The doorbell uses a motion sensor based on an algorithmic evaluation that tracks any motion in front of the camera. First, make sure the motion detection settings are turned on via the app.
Then you can adjust the sensitivity parameters, and try to find the right balance (between high and low) that provides the best outcome.
As a rule, don’t set the sensitivity too low because you may miss events. It’s better to capture something irrelevant, that misses an important incident.
Additionally, some features won’t work if the camera is set in battery-saving mode. Go through all the settings on the app, especially the motion and recording, and make sure everything is correct.
To conclude:
While there are many possible reasons why the Blink doorbell is not working, is recommended to keep things simple and perform some quick troubleshooting:
- Check the batteries
- Check if the unit is connected to the internet
- Ensure the WiFi works (use your phone and open up some random pages)
- Check the recording mode on the app and the sensitivity level
- Check if the phone app is actually linked to the doorbell
- Make sure the app is allowed to use all the required resources on the phone
- Update the firmware on the camera (and the phone app as well)
- Reboot the doorbell
If you’re still having trouble making things work, you can always reach Blink for further technical assistance. They usually provide a reliable service and short wait time.
Provide the doorbell model and type and go through their suggestions. In some cases, they may factory default the camera and start the setup from the beginning. If the doorbell has a hardware problem, you may get it exchanged for a new one.
