Is your Wyze cam not connecting? You are not alone. Both the Wyze Cam Outdoor v2 and v3 are outstanding outdoor security cameras with modest prices of under $100. They offer offline recording support and support both cloud and local storage. However, most of the key features of these security cams require monthly subscriptions and working Internet connections.
That is why, when users receive the “Wyze connection failed” notification, they feel extra frustrated. Their monthly subscription payments stand for nothing when such connection issues arise. So, why exactly is the Internet flooded with the following complaint: “My Wyze outdoor camera will not pair with my home’s wi-fi network”? For starters, it’s not the user’s fault.
In simpler terms, connecting a Wyze Camera to a new Wi-Fi network is not easy. The company does not offer clear instructions regarding the process and there isn’t much info out there about this increasingly common problem. Don’t worry, in this article, I’ll explain exactly why your Wyze outdoor camera will not pair with your home’s Wi-Fi network. I’ll also tell you how to fix this problem permanently. Keep reading.
Do you have a particular question about troubleshooting Wize camera not connecting issue? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Why Won’t My Wyze Cam Connect?
The main reason why your Wyze cam is not connecting to your Wi-Fi could be your Wi-Fi network itself. Think about the last time you upgraded your Wi-Fi router: did you hear a term called “dual-band”? If yes, then you probably bought a router that features both 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. These figures refer to two different “Wi-Fi-bands” your router can use for its signal.
In ideal conditions, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi supports Internet speeds of 300+ Mbps and 5 GHz Wi-Fi supports 1300+ Mbps. So, what’s the problem if you connect your Wyze cam to your 5 GHz local Wi-Fi network? Doesn’t it mean your security camera will have a faster Internet connection and deliver real-time alerts? No. What’ll happen is that you’ll receive notifications like:
- Wyze cannot connect to local network
- Wyze cam connection failed
- Wyze problem connecting to server
That’s because all Wyze cams are designed to connect only with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks with WPA, and WPA2 protocols. These devices don’t connect with 5G networks either, so don’t try to set up mobile hotspots for your Wyze devices. This applies to all Wyze cams, including the newer Wyze Cam Outdoor v2 and v3 units.
Since Wyze cams only support a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi frequency, connecting them to higher frequencies will lead to errors like “Wyze cam v2 not connecting” or “Wyze v3 won’t connect.” To eliminate these errors, switch off the 5 GHz band via your router’s admin portal. Here’s how you can do that:
- Make sure that your Wi-Fi network is operating properly
- Access your router’s admin portal (i.e., settings page) by typing in the public IP address of your router manufacturer on the address bar of your Chrome or any other web browser.
- On the admin portal, in the “wireless settings” section, find an option titled “dual-band” settings
- Click off the 5GHz band
- Save your changes
Once you switch the Wi-Fi bands, check if the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network is working. If it is, your Wyze cam won’t connect to this new network automatically. You’ll have to connect the two as if you’re pairing a brand-new device to a brand-new network. Just follow the standard connection process:
- On your Android/iOS device, open the Wyze app
- Sign in to your personal Wyze account
- Connect the camera to a power outlet or a USB port
- Wait for a yellow light to flash after 30-60 seconds
- At the back of the Wyze cam, find and press the set-up button for a few seconds
- You will hear a sound that indicates the cam is ready to connect
- On your phone, select the three dots in the app’s upper-right section
- Select the option titled, “Add a Product”
- Select your preferred camera model
- A new set-up window will open; follow the on-screen prompts
- Choose your Wi-Fi network name
- Enter the Wi-fi password to connect your Wyze cam
Is Wyze cam still not connecting? Then, check if your cam has the latest firmware. Wyze cams get regular firmware updates with new security patches. To ensure your cam is updated:
- On your Android/iOS device, open the Wyze app
- Enter “Settings”
- Select “Device Info”
- Select Firmware Version
If there’s an upgrade option, select it. If not, your cam is probably running the latest firmware. If the upgrade doesn’t go through, Wyze recommends taking the following steps:
If Wyze camera is not connecting after update, try out the following solutions one by one.
How to Reconnect Wyze Camera: Quickfire Solutions?
Update your device
You know how it is: you finally got your hands on that new game everyone’s been raving about, only to find out there’s a huge update waiting for you. Frustrating, right? Well, our beloved tech gadgets and especially our smart home devices like the wyze cam v3, aren’t much different. Before diving into the deep waters of network settings and passwords (that we can’t ever seem to remember), try the simplest solution first: update your Wyze cam. Software glitches can be a common culprit, and a swift update might just be the magic touch you need. Hey, it’s always worth a shot!
Forget the WiFi network & reconnect
Ever been told when facing a problem, “Just take a deep breath and start over?” The same goes for your wyze cam pan when it’s throwing connectivity tantrums. Head to the device’s settings, forget the SSID, and then refresh and reconnect. It’s like giving your camera a little pep talk to play nice with the Wi-Fi.
Check if your network is 2.4 GHz
So, remember the days when all gamers wanted was that ‘2.4 GHz frequency’ to make things run smoothly? Our little wyze buddy feels the same way. Most home security smart devices, including the Wyze camera, love and strictly prefer the 2.4 GHz network. If you’re unknowingly trying to pair it with a 5 GHz network, well, it’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Check your network settings and ensure your camera is only connecting to the 2.4 GHz band.
Switch the WiFi channel
Stuck on a tricky level in your favorite game? Change your strategy! Similarly, sometimes the channel your Wi-Fi is on can be overcrowded, especially if you’ve got a plethora of smart home automation goodies in your den. By switching the Wi-Fi channel on your network router, you might just find a clearer path for your Wyze camera connection. It’s like finding a secret tunnel in a maze!
Check the DNS Settings of the Network
DNS – the unsung hero ensuring that your online game data reaches the right servers. Just as it’s crucial in gaming, it’s equally pivotal for your camera’s connectivity. If there’s a hiccup with the DNS provided by your ISP, the camera might struggle to handshake with the Wyze servers. To fix the issue, you could consider switching to a more reliable DNS. It’s a bit like changing your in-game character’s gear to maximize efficiency.
Power Cycle Your Device
Sometimes when the Wyze app has problems connecting to the server, power cycling both the device and the app helps. By that we mean, turning the cam on and off and the same for the app.
Hard Reset
If power cycling doesn’t work, factory reset your cam and check if the connection is restored. Check out this helpful video on how to perform hard reboots on the latest cam models:
Clear Wyze App Cache
If your Wyze camera cannot find specified network name it might be because it has memory problems. To free up memory space, reboot your device and then clear the Wyze app cache. Just Find the Wyze app on your phone’s settings page and click on the option that says, “clear cache.”
Check the MAC Filtering
If you use MAC devices, they may have activated a feature called “MAC address filtering” on your router. This feature essentially makes your router use the MAC address of your main computer/device to block connection requests from unidentified devices. Sounds confusing? Don’t worry, turning off this feature is much easier. Just take these steps:
- Go to your router’s admin panel
- Find and select an option titled “network filter” or “MAC filtering”
- Turn the filter off
Incompatible Wi-Fi bandwidth, MAC filtering, and Outdated firmware are the main causes of Wyze cam not connecting problems. I’ve presented succinct solutions for all of these problems. Hopefully, at least one of these solutions will help you get your Wyze security camera back online.
Final Thoughts
Oh boy, that was quite a digital journey, wasn’t it? Setting up and troubleshooting tech can sometimes feel like a game level we just can’t pass. But remember, in the great orchestra of our interconnected life, each device, from your phone to that shiny new wyze camera, plays its part.
A connectivity issue here and there? Think of it as a mini-boss fight. Sometimes you’ve got to reset the camera, unplug it, count to a serene 30 seconds (or a restless 5-10 if you’re impatient like me) and then plug it back in. It’s a classic move, like the ol’ “turn it off and on again” strategy. And just like those video game foes that refuse to be defeated, if the camera still isn’t connecting, you might have to dive deeper into the settings realm.
Considering the 2.4 GHz frequency is the camera’s jam, double-check your Wi-Fi connection. And remember, folks, special characters and passwords are case-sensitive, so type them with care. It’s like entering a cheat code; one wrong button and, bam, no invincibility for you!
Ensuring your wi-fi’s configuration and encryption are on point is like ensuring your game’s graphics settings and controls are just right. No lags, no glitches, just smooth gameplay. Oh, and if you’ve added new devices to your network recently or made some changes, they might be the new kid on the block causing a tiny ruckus. Just like in any multiplayer game, make sure everyone gets along.
If all else fails, perform a power cycle, a troubleshooting step as timeless as the legendary Konami code. Maybe your camera’s just craving some 2.4ghz signal, or perhaps it’s struggling with ghz frequencies. There can be several reasons, like interference from other devices. Keep that device clean, free from digital clutter.
Final pro-tip? If you’ve tried all the above and your camera connects to a VPN or your phone isn’t connected to the correct wi-fi, it might just be the culprit. It’s a bit like finding out the in-game NPC you’ve been trusting all along is the final boss.
So, geeks, gamers, and tech enthusiasts, whether you’re embarking on an epic quest in a virtual world or just trying to fix the wyze camera’s failure in connection, arm yourself with these troubleshooting tips and strategies. They might just be the power-ups you need.
And hey, if you enjoyed this guide or have other tech challenges you’d love to conquer, check out our related posts. You never know what level-up secrets they might hold! Until next time, may your devices always be working properly and your gaming sessions uninterrupted. Game on!
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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