Blink offers a very peculiar feature unlike most other Smart security cameras right now: record and transmits audio! But what if the Live View tab (to access the feature) is at fault?
I've been a keen user of Blink products for a long time, and they have not let me down yet.
However, just recently, the Blink Home Monitor app made the Live View tab all fuzzy, making navigating through the app and previewing the recordings a nightmare.
To fix a Blink camera not showing Live View on the Home screen, check the status of the network and power cycle both the device and the Router. If the issue persists, update the Blink app or remove and reinstall the app. If these don't work, factory reset your Blink camera.
Let's now take a look at the various scenarios by which the Blink Live View tab becomes unavailable:
| Scenario | Causes and Fixes |
|---|---|
| Live View thumbnail not available on the Homescreen | App-related issue; update the Blink app. Remove and re-add the app |
| Cannot open the Live View tab | Network issue; ensure optimal networking speeds. Power cycle the Router/modem |
| Live View tab available but won't show video stream | Software issue; power cycle the Cam/Sync module. Factory Reset Cam and Sync Module |
I have explained each troubleshooting step in detail so that you can fix your Blink camera if it is not showing Live View on the Home screen.
Power Cycle Blink Camera
Let's start by looking into the less significant causes, namely software bugs, and errors.
Bugs and other stale files can sneak into your device quite effortlessly, especially if you turn a blind eye to the security and well-being of the Cam.
The best and often the most effective method to fend off bugs and errors from your Blink cam is to power cycle it.
A power cycle test is a type of system reboot at its core. But in doing so, you also get to deplete any pent-up static charges from the system.
Here's how to perform a power cycle test on your Blink Cam:
- Start the process by unplugging the batteries from the Blink cam.
- Now leave it idle for a few seconds.
- Then, plug back in the batteries and power ON the device.
Check if the issue gets solved now.
Here's a video walkthrough from us, that can help you troubleshoot the live view issue on blink,
Another frustrating issue troubling Blink is when the Cam doesn't detect motion. Power cycling the Cam also happens to be one of the more effective fixes for this issue.
Check Network Status
Network connectivity may be the most crucial aspect of a Smart Home monitoring system.
Internet connectivity is very much essential for transmitting live video signals to the Blink Home monitoring app's Live View feed.
Even a slight nudge in the network characteristics can render the feed void.
Now, your Blink Camera setup consists of two crucial areas where the network can be a discerning factor: the Cam to App connection and the Sync Module.
Fortunately, Blink has facilitated a no-frills feature for its user base to easily access the status of the connection right from the app itself.
To know the status of the network on the Sync Module, follow these steps:
- Open the Blink Home Monitoring app Homescreen.
- Open the Sync Module tab.
- Scroll down to know the status.
If you want to know the status of the network of your Blink Cam, follow these steps:
1. Open the app and click on the Menu (3 horizontal stipes) icon next to the name of your Camera.
2. Now open the General Settings tab.
3. Scroll down to the Network tab to know the current signal strength of the Cam.
Blink recommends a minimum of 2 bars of signal strength for optimal performance.
If the signal strength is below the recommended limits, better check the status of the network now.
Another easy indication of a failing network is the status LED on the Cam itself. You can easily check whether Blink Cam is recording or not by looking at the Blue LED indicator.
Run a Speed Test
The best way to check the status of your internet/network is to run a speed test.
Available by the handful on the appropriate app stores or through a web browser, accessing a speed-testing application is quite simple.
Install the app or access it directly through a browser and run the test to know the status of the various network characteristics like speed, signal strength, etc.
Some of the most common speed testing applications are speedtest.net and fast.com.
Once the test completes, you get to know the live status of the various aspects of your network.
If you did find a noticeable variation in any of the characteristics, like slumping network speeds, better check and make sure the Router is performing all fine.
A power cycle test, similar to the one we performed on the Camera, should do the trick.
Power Cycle the Router
As mentioned earlier, a power cycle test can do wonders for your device.
From long hours of continuous running or through time-acquired imparities, your home Router can slow down and cause the speed and latency to sway drastically.
In such cases, try power cycling the Router as a means of rebooting. Refreshing the router could also take care of the Blink Cams not connecting to the WiFi issue.
Unplug the power cable from the Router and leave the device idle for a few seconds. Then, press and hold the power button for a couple of seconds. Perform this step a couple of times.
Plug back in the cables and power ON the device.
Run the speed test once more and check the status now. If everything seems stable enough, connect back the Blink Cam to the network and check for the issue now.
Update the Blink App
The Blink Home Monitoring app, too, can host issues such as the one at hand.
Bugs and other malicious files are to blame here too. And to ensure smooth sailing, they demand to be updated regularly.
Blink, like most other major manufacturers, come out with updates frequently. It is up to you to execute the updates and keep the app out of harm's way.
And so, update the app whenever one is made available, especially if you have issues with the thumbnails on your Blink Cam.
Follow these steps to update the Blink app:
On Android:
1. Open the Play Store and type in Blink Home Monitoring app.
2. Click open the App tile and select Update.
On iOS:
1. Open the App Store and tap on the Account icon.
2. Scroll to the Available Updates section and look for the Blink app tile.
3. Select Update (if available).
Wait for the update to complete. Open the app and check for the issue now.
You could also turn ON Automatic Updates on your respective app stores to automatically updates the app when one is made available.
Open the App/Play Store and tap open the Settings menu to access the Automatic Updates option.
Remove and Reinstall Blink App
If updating the app didn't seem to fix the issue, now try uninstalling the app.
Removing the app will cause all its associated files and data to be erased once and for all from the system. This removal includes all the residual files and errors too.
Cache resetting the app memory could also achieve the selfsame purpose but with a less efficacious result.
After uninstalling the app, give your Smart device a proper reboot and reinstall the app once again.
To uninstall the Blink app from your host device, follow these steps:
1. From the device home screen, navigate to the Blink app.
2. Tap and hold the Blink app icon. A pop-up menu will now appear.
3. Select Uninstall/Remove.
Confirm the selection and uninstall the app.
To reinstall the app on your device, follow these steps:
1. Open the respective app store and search for the Blink Home Monitoring app.
2. Click on Install.
3. Open the app and follow the onscreen prompts to complete the setup.
Factory Reset Blink Camera
Finally, if none of these could alleviate the issue, factory reset the Cam!
Factory resetting will irrevocably reset every available setting, including user-defined ones, to its factory defaults. This overhaul also includes the complete removal of residual files and error-causing bugs.
The end product is effectively a new product. Free of all issues!
Do remember that you'll have to reconfigure the device from scratch.
Follow these steps to factory reset the Blink Cam:
1. Remove the battery panel from the bottom of the Cam.
2. You can find the Reset button next to the battery compartment.
3. Equip yourself with a sharp tool like a paper clip or a blunt needle.
4. Prod and hold the button for about 5 seconds or until the LED indicator turns OFF.
5. The LED will now flash red to indicate the onset of the reset.
Proceed to configure the cam once the reset is complete.
On Blink Mini Cams, the Reset button is located below the lens. Take care and don't damage the lens while dealing with sharp objects.
Factory Reset Sync Module
Blink Cams also come with yet another crucial aspect pertaining to the whole operation of the device, the Sync Module.
While resetting the Camera, reset the Sync Module too.
Here's how to reset the Sync Module:
1. Locate the Reset button on the right-hand side or the back side of the module.
2. Press and hold the reset button with the help of a paperclip or any similar object.
3. When the LED turns Red, release the button.
The LEDs will now cycle between solid green and flashing blue lights, indicating the start of the reset.
Final Thoughts
Being denied access to the Live View feed of the Blink Cam obviates the very purpose of using the Blink Home Monitoring app.
Throughout this article, we have come across a number of reasons that could trigger this issue.
Fortunately, though, the fixes are plenty and easy to execute. Make sure to follow each and every one of them.
If you still can't get rid of the issue, feel free to contact Blink support for further assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I turn on the live view on Blink camera?
To access the Live View feed of your Blink Camera, open the Blink Home Monitor app and tap on the Live View icon towards the top left of your Cameras tab.
Does Blink camera connect to Wi-Fi or Sync Module?
Blink Camera connects to your home WiFi network through the Sync Module. Only make sure to use the 2.4 GHz band while establishing a connection on your Camera.
How far can the Blink camera be from Sync Module?
The recommended length over which the Blink Camera can properly establish a connection with the Sync Module is a hundred feet. But for accessibility purposes, better keep the Cam and the Module in close proximity to each other.
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