Blink Camera Thumbnail Failed: How to Fix [2023]

I noticed that my outdoor Blink Camera has not responded to my commands and instead pushed weird error messages such as Thumbnail Failed.

So I sought out ways to fix this issue and was surprised by just how many people have faced similar error messages popping up.

I made this troubleshooting guide so that you can fix the 'Thumbnail Failed error' on your Blink Camera.

To fix the Thumbnail Failed error on the Blink camera, bring the sync module close to the WiFi. Update the sync module and the status of your Blink Camera. If the issue persists, power cycle the camera and the internet router. If all else fails, use the RouteThis app to test for other issues.

Bring the Sync Module as Close to the WiFi as Possible

Bring the Sync Module as Close to the WiFi as Possible

The sync module on your Blink Camera is responsible for relaying commands and network information to the devices in the system.

When the Blink App cannot communicate properly with the sync module, various error messages pop up.

Fixing the communication gap between the Blink Camera's sync module and the internet connection with which the Blink App connects may solve the issue.

The easiest way to bridge this gap is to simply make sure that the sync module sits in an area with a great network range.

Make sure the distance between the Blink camera and the sync module, as well as the distance between the sync module and the internet router, is as little as possible.

You can also check the signal directly from the Blink app to gauge the best results with your Blink camera:

  • Open the Blink app on your supported smart device.
Blink Cam home page
  • Tap on the sync module icon on the home screen to enter the sync module settings.
Sync Module tab
  • The signal strength is shown as a WiFi icon.

It is recommended to stay somewhere in the range of 3 bars of signal strength in order to get the best results.

Here's a video walkthrough from us that will help your troubleshoot the blink camera "thumbnail failed" error,

Blink Camera Thumbnail Failed Troubleshooting Video Guide

Update the Sync Module Firmware

Update the Sync Module Firmware

Sometimes the sync module can misbehave due to a bad firmware update, or due to a newer feature from the Blink app that the older firmware doesn't support.

In such cases, it is best to simply update your sync module firmware to the latest version available for your Blink camera.

Unfortunately, there is no manual method of updating the firmware of your Blink camera.

But quite a lot of Blink camera users have claimed that the sync module updates on its own when left plugged in overnight under a strong internet connection.

So as of writing this article, that is the only way to update the firmware of your Blink camera sync module unofficially.

Update the Status of the Blink Camera

Update the Status of the Blink Camera

Fortunately, updating the status of the Blink camera is a much easier task and is something that Blink has added to their Blink app.

This is also one of the steps that helped a lot of users solve the thumbnail failed error on their Blink cameras.

In order to properly update the status of your Blink camera, simply follow the steps given below:

  • Open the Blink app on your supported smart device.
  • Tap on the Settings icon on the home screen next to your camera's nickname to enter the camera settings.
  • At the bottom of the page, click on the Update icon beside the last updated option.

This updates the sync module and the Blink camera by manually forcing the sync process to work.

Power Cycle the Internet Modem and Blink Camera

A power cycle seemingly is a very simple fix that almost everyone unintentionally does with their devices, but it is a very key step in the troubleshooting world.

It essentially is a reboot for the hardware of the device, making sure that the charges are evenly distributed to the internal components for the best performance.

Since the internet router is responsible for relaying the proper signal, it is a prime candidate to perform a simple power cycle on.

To properly perform a power cycle on your Internet router, simply follow the steps given below:

  • Unplug the internet router from its power source.
Unplug the internet router from its power source.
  • Let the router sit idle powered off for about a minute.
Let the router sit idle powered off for about a minute.
  • Long press the buttons on the router to make sure all the charges from within the system are discharged.
  • Plug the internet router back into its power source.
Plug the internet router back into its power source.
  • Let the router sit idle powered on for about a minute.

The next step is to do the same with your Blink Camera.

In order to properly perform a power cycle on your Blink camera, simply follow the steps given below:

  • Remove the batteries from the Blink camera.
Remove the batteries from the Blink camera.
  • Let the camera sit idle powered off for about a minute.
Let the camera sit idle powered off for about a minute.
  • Long press the buttons on the camera to make sure all the charges from within the system are discharged.
  • Put the batteries back into the camera. Make sure they are fully charged.
Put the batteries back into the camera. Make sure they are fully charged.
  • Let the camera sit idle powered on for about a minute.
Let the camera sit idle powered on for about a minute.

Download and Run the Routethis App to Troubleshoot

Download and Run the Routethis App to Troubleshoot

If all the above steps fail to generate a positive effect on your situation, then the best thing to do is to use Blink's recommended app for troubleshooting: RouteThis.

RouteThis is a service that primarily deploys support for a number of smart home brands that focuses on connected homes.

This can help fix even troublesome issues with some folks, such as the Blink camera not connecting to your home WiFi.

Blink recommends using RouteThis to find solutions for the issues you face with your Blink camera by getting you in contact with their customer support.

Though it is not a sure-fix way to get rid of your issues with the thumbnail failed error messages, it is a method of troubleshooting nonetheless.

You can contact RouteThis by downloading their app from Apple's App Store or Google's Play Store.

Simply install the app and run the preliminary test. If you are asked to provide a code during the test, simply input the following: BLNK

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

If you still face issues with the thumbnail failed error message after trying the above steps, it is best to contact Blink support and seek professional guidance.

The official Blink Support can also help in cases of doubts, so feel free to ask questions such as how to tell if your Blink camera is recording.

I hope my article on how you can fix the thumbnail failed error message on your Blink camera has been a worthwhile read and has helped you with the same.

Have a good day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is a Sync Module necessary for Blink cameras?

Excluding the Blink Mini camera, all models of Blink Cameras require a sync module to properly sync in real-time with the Blink app.

Do Blink cameras need a subscription plan?

Blink cameras don't need a subscription plan to function, but Blink offers two premium plans to enhance their functionality.

The Blink Basic Plan sits at $3/month and offers a multitude of features such as live view recording, rapid video access, and photo capture amongst others.

The Blink Plus Plan sits at $10/month, with all features of the Basic Plan, but with unlimited Blink device support per account, extended warranty, and offer codes for Blink devices from Amazon.

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About Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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