Fixing Aqara Camera Hub Zone Settings Not Working
Activity zones are a key feature of Aqara camera hubs like the G2H Pro and G3, allowing you to specify exactly where the camera should look for motion. When this feature isn't working correctly, you might get flooded with irrelevant alerts or, worse, miss an important event. This guide will help you configure and troubleshoot your Aqara detection zones.
## Step 1: Correctly Drawing Your Activity Zones
The first step is to ensure your zones are set up properly within the Aqara Home app.
- Open the Aqara Home App and select the camera you wish to configure.
- Tap the three dots (...) in the top-right corner to open the settings menu.
- Navigate to Detection Settings (or a similarly named option).
- Select Motion Detection Area or Activity Zones.
- You will see the camera's live view with a grid. You can draw one or more rectangles over the areas you want to monitor. Anything outside these boxes should be ignored.
- Be specific. For example, draw a tight box around a doorway or a path, avoiding areas with moving trees, busy pavements, or reflections.
- Tap Save to confirm your zones.
## Step 2: Adjusting Motion Detection Sensitivity
Often, the problem isn't the zone itself but the sensitivity level. If the sensitivity is too high, the camera might react to subtle lighting changes or shadows that spill over from outside the zone.
- In the Detection Settings menu, you will find an option for Motion Detection Sensitivity.
- This is typically set to 'High', 'Medium', or 'Low'.
- If you are getting false alerts, try changing the setting from High to Medium. Test the results. If you still get unwanted alerts, try Low.
- Finding the right balance is key; you want it to be sensitive enough to catch real events but not so sensitive that it triggers constantly.
## Step 3: Setting Up Notifications and Automations
Defining a zone is only half the process. You must then tell the Aqara system what to do when motion is detected within that zone.
- Go to the Automation tab at the bottom of the Aqara Home app.
- Tap the '+' to create a new automation.
- For the 'If' condition, select your camera.
- Choose 'Motion is detected'. Crucially, the app may allow you to specify which detection zone should act as the trigger.
- For the 'Then' action, select 'Send Notification'. You can also choose other actions, like turning on an Aqara smart plug or light.
- Save the automation and give it a name.
Without a corresponding automation, the camera may log the event but will not actively alert you.
## Step 4: Other Important Factors
If you've checked your zones, sensitivity, and automations, consider these other points:
- Firmware Updates: Ensure your Aqara camera hub has the latest firmware installed. Updates often include improvements to the motion detection algorithms. You can check for updates in the camera's settings menu.
- Camera Placement: A camera pointing at an area with constantly changing light and shadow will always be challenging. Try to position your camera so it has a stable view, avoiding pointing it directly at sources of light or through glass where reflections can occur.
- Reboot the Camera: A simple reboot can often clear temporary software bugs. Unplug your camera hub from power for 30 seconds and then plug it back in.
By carefully configuring these settings, you can fine-tune your Aqara camera's motion detection to be both accurate and reliable.