Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Full Troubleshooting Guide
If you own a TP-Link Tapo security camera, you may face some common issues such as camera not working, camera offline, not showing live feed, microphone not working, not sending notification alerts, not responding, and not recording. To help you troubleshoot these problems, we have created a comprehensive guide that covers all the possible causes and solutions for each issue.
This troubleshooting guide will enable you to fix your TP-Link Tapo security camera and improve its performance. By following this guide, you will be able to fix your TP-Link Tapo security camera quickly and without stress.
Let’s begin!
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Full Troubleshooting Guide
Below are some common problems you may face or are already having while using the Tp-Link Tapo security camera:
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Not Working
One of the most common problems you may face with your Tp-Link Tapo security camera is that it is not working. This means that your camera is not turning on, not showing any light, not making any sound, or not responding to any input. This problem can be very annoying and prevent you from using your camera.
The possible causes of this problem are:
- The camera is not plugged in correctly, or the power outlet is faulty.
- The camera is damaged or defective.
- The camera is overheated or frozen.
Try the following tips to fix the problem:
- Check the power cord and the power outlet, and make sure that they are working correctly. Try plugging the camera into another power outlet or using another power cord.
- Check the camera for any physical damage, such as cracks, dents, or burns. If the camera is damaged or defective, contact Tp-Link Tapo customer support for a replacement or repair.
- Check the temperature of the camera and the environment. If the camera is too hot or cold, move it to a place with a moderate temperature. Wait for the camera to cool down or warm up before using it again.
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Not Showing Live Feed
Here are some tips to troubleshoot your Tapo Camera if the live feed is not showing:
- Check the Wi-Fi network and internet connection, and restart the router if necessary.
- Ensure the camera is positioned correctly and not blocked by obstacles.
- Check if the camera is in privacy or night vision mode, and adjust the settings on the Tapo app.
- Make sure the Tapo app is updated and configured correctly, and clear the app cache if necessary.
- To view your camera’s live feed, ensure your device is compatible and connected correctly. You can use the Tapo app on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, or a smart display or TV with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Ensure your device has a stable internet connection and is not blocked by any firewall or antivirus software.
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Camera Offline
If your Tp-Link Tapo security camera keeps going offline, try the following troubleshooting tips:
- Check the Wi-Fi and internet connection to ensure the network is stable and working correctly. Restarting your router or modem may be necessary if the network is not working well.
- The camera may be too far from the router or have too many obstacles or interferences between them. Changing the Wi-Fi channel on your router can help avoid congestion or interference from other devices. Using a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network instead of a 5GHz may also help.
- Check the camera mode and battery level to ensure it is not in sleep or low-power mode. You can turn the sleep mode on the Tapo app on or off. You can also check the battery level on the Tapo app. If the battery level is low, plug in the camera or replace the batteries if your camera model supports it.
- Check the camera configuration and firmware to ensure it is appropriately configured and updated. You can check and change the camera settings on the Tapo app. You can also update the firmware in the Tapo app. If all else fails, you can reset the camera to the factory default settings by pressing and holding the reset button on the camera for about 5 seconds until you hear a beep sound.
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Not Sending Notifications Alerts
Here are the troubleshooting steps for your Tapo camera:
- Enable and configure the Tapo app’s motion and sound detection features under Advanced Settings. You can adjust the sensitivity, area, and motion or sound detection schedule.
- Set up the camera to record a short video clip whenever it detects motion or sounds and save it to the cloud or a microSD card on the Tapo app.
- Confirm that notification settings are enabled and configured correctly and that the Tapo app is allowed to send notifications on your device.
- Check your Wi-Fi network and internet connection for stability and strength, and restart your router or modem if necessary to improve the network speed and connection.
- Ensure that you have the latest version of the Tapo app and that it is compatible with your device. You can update the app on your device’s app store, clear the app cache, or reinstall the app if necessary.
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Not Responding
If your TP-Link Tapo security camera is not responding, there could be several reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons and solutions to try:
- The first thing to do is to check whether your camera is connected to the internet. If your camera is not connected to the internet, it cannot send any information to your device. To check if your camera is online, you can try accessing it from your device, and if it does not respond, then it is likely that the camera is not connected to the internet.
- An outdated firmware version can cause your camera to malfunction. Keeping your camera’s firmware up to date is a good idea to avoid this issue. You can usually update the firmware through the manufacturer’s website or app.
- If you’ve tried the above steps and your camera is still not responding, it may be time to reinstall it. Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when reinstalling the camera and that your device is connected to a stable network.
- If your camera is compatible with your device, it may need to be fixed. To ensure compatibility, check the manufacturer’s website or manual for the list of devices compatible with the camera. If your device is not on the list, consider upgrading your device or choosing a different camera model.
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Microphone Not Working
If your TP-Link Tapo security camera’s Microphone is not working, try the following troubleshooting tips to resolve the issues:
- Check if the Microphone is muted. The Microphone may not be working because it has been muted; if it has been muted, unmute it, which should fix the problem and get the Microphone working again.
- Check the microphone settings on the Tapo app and ensure that the microphone’s volume is set to the highest. If the volume is low, draw the slider to the highest. This should fix the problem.
- Update the camera firmware to the latest version. Check if the Tapo app and the camera’s device firmware are using their current versions. You can check from the Tapo app or your mobile device App Store. If you find any updates, download and install them to see if this fixes the problem.
If none of these tips work, contact the Tapo customer support service for help.
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Not Recording
If your TP-Link Tapo security camera is not recording, do the following troubleshooting:
- Check if the camera is connected to the internet. If your TP-Link Tapo security camera is not recording, check if the camera is connected to the internet. If the camera is not connected to the internet, try to reconnect the camera to the network. Reboot your router and camera to fix any network issues.
- Move your router or camera closer to each other for a stronger Wi-Fi signal if you discover you don’t have a strong network connection. Consider adding a Wi-Fi extender if the camera is installed far from your router.
- Enable Continuous Recording with a microSD card. Go to Tapo APP Camera Settings > Recording Schedule, and make sure all the time blocks have been selected.
- Update the camera firmware to the latest version. If your TP-Link Tapo security camera firmware is outdated, update it to the newest version. Confirm the firmware of the Tapo camera and the Tapo APP version are up-to-date.
You can contact TP-Link support if you’ve tried all these steps and still have trouble.
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Motion Detection Not Working
If your TP-Link Tapo camera is not detecting motion or the motion detection feature is not working correctly, you can try the following troubleshooting steps to fix the issue:
- Make sure the internet connection is stable. A poor network connection can affect the camera’s performance and the detection feature.
- Confirm that the camera’s firmware and the TP-Link app are both up-to-date. Outdated firmware or apps can cause compatibility issues and bugs. You can update the firmware and the app from the Camera Device Settings page.
- Ensure the detection types are enabled as desired. Different camera models have different detection types, such as motion detection, sound detection, or human Detection. Here is how to do so below:
- You can go to the Tapo app, tap your camera model card on the Home page, or go to the Cameras tab, tap Manage on your camera’s model card to go to the camera’s Live View page.
- Tap the top right corner icon to enter the Device Settings page.
- Click on Detection to enable the detection types as desired.
- Adjust the sensitivity and choose activity zones for the detection types. The sensitivity determines how easily the camera will detect an event, and the activity zones allow you to specify the areas you want the camera to monitor. Here, we take the Tapo C420’s motion detection type as an example. If no activity zone setting is included in the detection type, the activity zone is the full Live View screen.
- The position and pointing angle of the camera also play a crucial role in getting the desired performance from the detection feature. After ensuring the detection settings are correct, checking the camera’s position should be the next step.
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Not Responding to Voice Commands
Here are some things to try if your TP-Link Tapo security camera isn’t responding to voice commands:
- Make sure the device is online in the Alexa or Google Home app. The camera won’t respond to voice commands if it is not online in the Alexa or Google Home app. So, ensure that you’ve correctly and successfully set up and connected the camera to Alexa or Google Home Assistant.
- Check the device’s location and move it closer to the router if the distance between the camera and the voice assistant device is far, and make sure it’s getting a strong Wi-Fi signal.
- Confirm that the correct Wi-Fi password has been entered into the app. This ensures you’re connected to a working Wi-Fi network and that the Tapo App works correctly.
- Check the device’s firmware and version and the Tapo App to ensure that the device’s firmware and Tapo version are up-to-date.
How to Factory Reset Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera
To reset your Camera, press and hold the reset button on the Camera for about 5 seconds until the status light turns red.
This will restore your Camera to its factory settings and erase all your data and settings. You will need to set up your Camera again with the Tapo app.
Tp-Link Tapo Security Camera Not Blinking/Flashing
First, power off the device for a few minutes, then power it back on. After that, reset the camera by tilting the lens up and pressing and holding the RESET button for at least five seconds. You should see the LED blink red, indicating the reset was successful.
Conclusion
In this article, I have provided a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting your TP-Link Tapo security camera. I have covered the most common issues that users face, including the camera not working, not showing a live feed, the camera offline, not sending notification alerts, not responding, the microphone not working, and not recording. We have also provided you with solutions to these issues.
I hope this guide has helped troubleshoot your TP-Link Tapo security camera. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact TP-Link customer support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Has My Tapo Camera Gone Offline?
If your Tapo camera has gone offline, it could be due to a firmware update failure, power outage, or thunderstorm. You can try resetting the camera by pressing and holding the RESET button for over 5 seconds until the LED blinks red .
What Does a Red Light on a Tapo Camera Mean?
A solid red light on a Tapo camera indicates that the camera is starting up, while a blinking red light indicates that the camera is resetting.
Why Is My Tapo Camera Alarming?
If your Tapo camera is alarming, it could be due to motion detection or sound detection. You can turn off the alarm by tapping the “Alarm” button in the Tapo app.
Why Is My Tapo Camera Blinking Red and Green?
If your Tapo camera is blinking red and green, it could be due to a Wi-Fi setup. You can reset the camera by pressing and holding the RESET button for over 5 seconds until the LED blinks red.