Has Your Aqara Camera Suddenly Stopped Working?
An Aqara smart camera is a key part of your smart home ecosystem, providing security and peace of mind. So, when it suddenly stops working, it can be worrying. You might be thinking the worst: the camera is broken and needs replacing.
However, before you conclude that your camera has a terminal hardware failure, there are many troubleshooting steps you can take. Many issues that make a camera appear "broken" are actually related to power, connectivity, or software glitches that can be resolved. This guide will help you diagnose the problem with your Aqara camera.
Is It Really Broken? Your Initial Diagnosis Checklist
Start with the simplest explanations first. Don't disassemble anything; just check the basics.
1. Check the Power Supply
This is the most common culprit when a camera appears completely dead.
- Secure the Cable: Ensure the USB cable is firmly plugged into both the camera's power port and the USB power adapter.
- Test the Wall Socket: Plug another device (like a phone charger) into the same wall socket to confirm it has power.
- Swap the Components: If you have a spare, try using a different USB cable and a different USB power adapter. Cables can fail internally, and adapters can burn out.
2. Inspect for Physical Damage
Give the camera a quick visual inspection.
- Look for any obvious cracks in the casing or on the lens.
- Check if the camera feels unusually hot to the touch.
- If it's an outdoor model, check for any signs of water getting inside the housing.
3. Understand the Indicator Lights
The LED status light is your best friend for diagnostics. What is it doing?
- No Light: The camera is not receiving power. (Refer back to step 1).
- Solid Yellow/Orange: This usually means the camera is booting up or cannot connect to your Wi-Fi network or the Aqara Hub.
- Flashing Yellow/Orange: The camera is in pairing mode, waiting for setup.
- Flashing Blue: The camera is trying to connect.
- Solid Blue: The camera is connected and working correctly.
Software Troubleshooting Steps
If the camera is receiving power but still not working correctly, the issue is likely software-related.
1. The Simple Reboot
The classic "turn it off and on again" works for a reason.
- Power Cycle the Camera: Unplug the camera from its power source, wait for a full minute, and then plug it back in.
- Reboot Your Hub and Router: Sometimes the problem isn't the camera, but the devices it talks to. Reboot your Aqara Hub and your main home Wi-Fi router.
2. Remove and Re-add the Camera
If a reboot doesn't work, try re-establishing the connection to your Aqara system from scratch.
- Open the Aqara Home app.
- Navigate to the camera's device page, tap the three dots to enter Settings, and select Delete Device.
- Once removed, perform a hard reset on the camera (see FAQs).
- Go through the "Add Accessory" process in the app again to re-pair the camera with your hub.
When It Might Be a Genuine Hardware Failure
If you've tried all the steps above and the camera is still unresponsive, has a persistent hardware-related light code, or shows a black or distorted video feed, you may be facing a genuine hardware failure.
At this point, your best course of action is to:
- Check Your Warranty: Review your purchase information to see if the camera is still under warranty.
- Contact Aqara Support: Reach out to the official Aqara support channels. Provide them with the camera's model number and a detailed description of the issue and the troubleshooting steps you've already performed.