What to Do When Your August Camera Seems Broken
An August smart camera or doorbell is a key part of your home security, so it's a serious concern when it stops working. Whether it's completely unresponsive, offline, or has a major feature failure, the term "broken" can mean many things.
This guide will help you systematically troubleshoot your August camera to determine if the issue is something you can fix yourself or if the hardware has indeed failed and needs replacing.
Common Signs of a "Broken" August Camera
"My camera is broken" can describe a range of symptoms. Let's identify what you might be experiencing:
- No Power: The device is completely dead, with no lights, sounds, or response.
- Offline and Unresponsive: The camera appears as "Offline" in the August app and will not reconnect, no matter what you try.
- Critical Feature Failure: The main camera function has stopped. For example, the video feed is black, night vision no longer works, or the motion sensor doesn't detect anything.
- Physical Damage: The lens is cracked, the casing is damaged, or a button is physically broken.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Before concluding that the camera is beyond repair, follow these essential diagnostic steps.
Step 1: Resolve Power Issues
The most common reason for a "dead" camera is a lack of power.
- For Battery-Powered Models (e.g., August View):
- Remove the battery and recharge it fully using the provided charger and cable.
- Ensure the battery contacts are clean on both the battery and the camera itself.
- If the battery no longer holds a charge, it may need to be replaced.
- For Wired Models (e.g., August Doorbell Cam):
- Check the Power Source: Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into the camera and the power adapter. Confirm the wall socket is working by testing it with another device.
- Inspect the Cable: Look for any damage to the micro-USB cable. These cables can fail over time. Try using a different, known-working cable to see if that restores power.
- Doorbell Specifics: If it's a doorbell camera, the issue could be with your home's doorbell wiring or transformer. This is a more complex issue and may require an electrician if you're not comfortable with wiring.
Step 2: Address Connectivity Problems
If the camera has power but is offline, the issue is with its connection to your network.
- Reboot Your Network: Unplug your Wi-Fi router and/or modem from power. Wait 60 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for it to fully restart, and then see if your camera comes back online.
- Power Cycle the Camera: Disconnect the camera from its power source (remove the battery or unplug it) for 60 seconds. Reapply power and give it a few minutes to try and reconnect.
- Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength: Have you recently moved your router? A weak Wi-Fi signal can cause the camera to drop offline. Check the signal strength in your August app's settings.
- Factory Reset: As a last resort for connectivity issues, perform a factory reset. This will erase its settings and require you to set it up again from scratch. There is usually a small reset button you'll need to press and hold for 10-15 seconds.
Step 3: Assess for Hardware Failure
If power and connectivity are fine, you may have a hardware fault.
- Black Video Feed: If you can connect to the camera in the app but the video stream is just black, this often points to a failure of the image sensor itself. Try viewing the stream on a different phone or device to rule out an app issue.
- Night Vision Failure: If the daytime video is fine but the night vision image is pitch black, the camera's infrared (IR) LEDs may have failed.
- Physical Damage: Any cracks on the lens or casing that could let in moisture will likely lead to irreversible damage.
If you've completed all the relevant troubleshooting steps and your camera is still not working, it's time to contact August's official customer support. Be ready to tell them all the steps you've already taken, which will help them diagnose the problem more quickly.