Simplisafe camera is a great, reliable wireless security camera with a quirky motion detection mechanism. But what good is it if it can't detect motion anymore?
Simplisafe camera comes with a motion detection feature that lets you know as soon as it detects motion within its field of view. The motion triggers are then sent to you as motion alerts.
But for some unforeseen reason, if the Camera stops detecting motion, there's no need to panic, for the fixes are plenty!
If your SimpliSafe camera is not detecting motion, first, check for issues with the network. Make sure there are no obstacles blocking the camera’s field of view and that the SimpliSafe app notifications are enabled. Power cycling the Camera could resolve the issue. If these don't work, try resetting the camera.
Let's now take a brief look at why SimpliSafe Cams fail to detect motion:
| Scenario | Causes and Fixes |
|---|---|
| SimpliSafe Cam detecting false events | Improper placement; check for obstacles in the Cam'sline of sight, repostion the cam. |
| SimpliSafe Cam not giving motion alerts | Configuration issue; open the SimpliSafe app and reconfigure the Notifications |
| Cannot see motion events | Network issue; Power cycle the Router and the Cam |
| Other Scenarios | Factory Reset the Cam; contact customer support |
Here are the many fixes to resolve the motion detection not working issue on your SimpliSafe Cam.
Check for Obstacles in the Line of Sight of SimpliSafe Camera
Proper lighting and a clear field of vision are an absolute must for your SimpliSafe camera to detect motion properly.
Make sure that the area where you want to detect motion is in the direct line of sight of the camera. Clear any obstacles that may hinder the camera’s field of view.
Motion detection works best for objects placed within 10 feet of the camera.
SimpliSafe cameras generally have a field of vision of 90 degrees from left to right as well as up and down, so make sure that the area you want to detect motion falls under this zone.
Constantly moving objects such as flags, window curtains, or moving vehicles will trigger your camera’s motion sensors, so ensure to point your Camera away from such hindrances.
Such obstacles are a menace for all monitoring Cameras regardless of the make. Another similar issue experienced by yet another cam is the Ring Cam not detecting motion.
If your camera is fixed outside, it is prone to dust and debris.
Your camera lens will collect dust over time causing its motion sensors to misfire. Dust particles will also block the line of sight of the camera.
Make sure your camera and its lens are clean.
If possible, install your camera under a shade away from direct rain or wind. This way, you can minimize the amount of dust your camera collects.
If your SimpliSafe camera detects motion using an infrared sensor, make sure your camera has a direct view of the region to be monitored. Mounting it behind glass windows or other reflecting or shining surfaces could make motion detection less accurate.
Check the SimpliSafe App Settings
Check whether you have enabled notifications for the SimpliSafe app on your mobile phone.
The SimpliSafe app should have its notification enabled in order to send you a notification when it detects motion.
To check whether the SimpliSafe app has notification access:
- On your mobile phone, navigate to the Settings app
- Scroll down and select the ‘Notifications’ option
- Select the SimpliSafe app from the list
- Here you can see whether notification access is enabled. If it is disabled, turn it on.
Now check whether you receive a notification when the camera detects motion.
In your camera settings, make sure you have your privacy shutter set to ‘open’ to all three modes - Home, Away, and off for better results.
In the SimpliSafe app, you can adjust the motion sensitivity for motion detection. It has three modes - High, Medium, and Low. By default, the sensitivity is set to medium.
Try changing the sensitivity to alter the amount of motion or the size of objects required to trigger the motion sensor. After changing the sensitivity, check whether your camera detects motion.
Note that there is a notification quiet period that is set by default, this is to prevent the camera from sending you notifications frequently within a time period.
Try walking in front of your camera and check whether you have received any notifications.
(Note: You will receive the notification on the device you used to scan the QR code to set up the camera)
Check the Internet Connection
A strong and proper internet connection is required for your Simplisafe camera to work properly.
The moment your SimpliSafe camera detects motion, it requires an internet connection to send you the alert or video.
Network issues happen to also be a leading cause for various monitoring cam issues such as Live stream issues on Nest Cam or audio issues on Blink Cam.
Make sure that your SimpliSafe cam is close and in direct line of sight to the router as much as possible. Thick walls might cause network hindrances.
If your camera is stationed far from the router, consider moving the camera closer to the Router or vice-versa. Opting for a network extender would be the ideal choice.
You could also try disconnecting other devices from your router to check if it resolves the issue.
Sometimes there is a limit to the number of devices connected to your router at a given time.
If you are currently using 5 GHz wifi, try switching to 2.4 GHz.
The 2.4 GHz band is more reliable and causes fewer issues. You can change the frequency in the router's wifi settings.
Once you have changed the network, restart your router for your settings to take effect.
Also, ensure that the base station is close to the camera. The base station also requires a strong internet connection.
If you feel your internet speed has dropped, then try performing an internet speed test and if necessary, reset the WiFi router.
You could also try connecting your camera to another WiFi network to check if it resolves the issue.
For this:
- Navigate to the SimpliSafe mobile app and click on your Camera tile
- Click on the option and then select 'Wifi and connectivity' tab
- Click on Scan for networks
- From the list, choose the network you want to connect to and wait a couple of seconds for your camera to connect
Check whether your camera detects motion.
Power Cycle the SimpliSafe Camera
Often, the quickest way to resolve issues on your device would be to refresh it. And what better way to reboot your SimpliSafe Cam than to power cycle it?
Power cycling your SimpliSafe camera will help it reload its firmware, refresh its connection and help it get rid of any bugs or glitches.
To power cycle your SimpliSafe camera:
- Open the camera’s battery compartment by removing the four screws
- Remove the batteries
- Wait for 15 seconds and put the batteries back in
Your SimpliSafe cam should boot up now and connect to your wifi. Check whether this resolves the motion detection issue.
In a similar manner, power cycling your Nest Cam could be your way out of issues like when the Nest Cam doesn't record events.
Note: Power cycling your SimpliSafe camera doesn’t erase any data, and your camera will automatically connect to the previously set wifi network.
Factory Reset the Camera
If none of the above-mentioned troubleshooting steps work, consider resetting your camera and base station.
Resetting your SimpliSafe cam will erase all its saved data and delete all its saved networks. The camera will change to its default settings and you will have to enter your wifi password again to connect it to your network.
To reset your SimpliSafe camera:
- Press and hold the reset button on your SimpliSafe camera
- Keep holding the button for at least 20 seconds until the lights on the camera start flashing
- The camera should boot up now
Once the camera is booted, set up the camera once again from scratch and connect it to your SimpliSafe mobile app.
To reset your base station:
- Remove the battery cover by unscrewing four screws from the back of the device
- Remove the battery and wait for a couple of seconds
- Reinstall the battery and plug the device in
- The base station should boot up now
After the base station has finished booting, set it up and connect your Cam to the Base Station.
Check whether this resolves the motion detection issue.
Factory resetting happens to also be the recommended fix for Blink Camera clicking sound issue. Although, the steps for resetting a Blink Cam is different compared to a SimpliSafe Cam.
Contact SimpliSafe Support
If none of the above steps work, you could always contact Simplisafe customer support.
It is quite possible that your camera might have a faulty sensor or an associated hardware component. If that is the case, we are sure that the team at Simplisafe will furnish you with a new device.
The team at SimpliSafe will also be able to provide more technical insight into your problem and will help you resolve it.
Final thoughts
Apart from the steps mentioned above, there are a few troubleshooting steps that you might also want to consider.
On the SimpliSafe device keypad, press the number 5 to test the various sensors in the device. You will be alerted if the sensors are working properly.
Make sure you use genuine cables to connect your base station and camera. If the cable you are using has broken leads or is bent in any manner we suggest you use newer cables.
With that said, the fixes mentioned here should suffice for the issue at hand, save for hardware troubles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the warranty period for SimpliSafe cameras?
All Simplisafe products have a 1-year limited hardware warranty.
Do SimpliSafe cameras support microSD cards for local storage?
SimpliSafe cameras don’t support microSD cards for local storage. The videos are stored in the cloud which is available with a subscription plan.
What is the maximum distance SimpliSafe cameras can detect motion?
SimpliSafe cameras can detect motion up to a maximum of 10 feet
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