Receiving False Alerts from Your August Device?
An August Smart Lock or Doorbell Camera is a fantastic addition to your smart home, offering convenience and security. However, this experience can be undermined by a constant barrage of false alerts. Notifications for motion that isn't there, or incorrect updates about your lock's status, can be more of a nuisance than a help.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the common causes of false alerts from August products and provide clear, easy-to-follow solutions. Our goal is to help you fine-tune your devices for greater accuracy, ensuring every notification you receive is meaningful.
Why Your August Device Might Be Sending False Alerts
Understanding the root cause is the first step toward fixing the problem. Here are the most common reasons for false alerts in the August ecosystem:
- Incorrect DoorSense™ Calibration: The DoorSense™ sensor tells you if your door is physically open or closed. If it was not set up correctly during installation, it can give false readings.
- High Motion Sensitivity (Doorbells): August Video Doorbells can be triggered by things other than people, such as passing cars, swaying trees, or even rapid changes in light and shadow.
- Environmental Factors: Small insects flying close to the camera lens, rain, or dust can sometimes be misinterpreted as motion.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues: An unstable connection between your August Connect or Doorbell and your router can lead to inaccurate status updates and alerts.
- Improper Installation: A misaligned Smart Lock or a poorly positioned DoorSense™ magnet can cause the system to misread the door's status.
How to Troubleshoot and Stop August False Alerts
Work through the following solutions to diagnose and resolve the issue.
1. Recalibrate Your DoorSense™ Sensor
For false alerts related to your Smart Lock (e.g., "door ajar" notifications when it's closed), recalibrating DoorSense™ is the most effective solution.
- Open the August App: On your smartphone, navigate to the correct lock.
- Go to Lock Settings: Select the gear icon to open the settings menu for that lock.
- Find DoorSense™ Calibration: Scroll down and select the option to calibrate DoorSense™.
- Follow the On-Screen Instructions: The app will guide you through a simple process of opening and closing your door to re-learn its correct positions.
2. Adjust Motion Sensitivity and Settings (For Doorbells)
If your August Doorbell is the culprit, tweaking its motion detection settings is key.
- Select Your Doorbell in the App: From the main screen, choose your doorbell camera.
- Open Motion Settings: Go to the camera's settings and find "Motion Detection."
- Adjust Sensitivity: You will see a sensitivity slider. If you are getting too many alerts, move the slider to a lower setting (less sensitive).
- Set Up Activity Zones: A crucial feature is "Motion Zones." Use this to draw specific areas you want the camera to monitor. For example, draw a zone around your walkway and doorstep, but exclude the busy street, your neighbour's garden, or a tree that moves in the wind. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce unwanted notifications.
3. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection
A stable internet connection is vital for accurate and timely reporting from your August devices.
- Check Signal Strength: In the August app, go to the settings for your August Connect or Doorbell. There should be a Wi-Fi settings section that shows you the signal strength. If it is weak, you may have a problem.
- Move Your Router or Connect: Try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to your door. If you use an August Connect bridge, ensure it is positioned halfway between your router and your Smart Lock for the best signal relay.
- Minimise Interference: Keep the August Connect away from other electronic devices or dense objects (like a television or a metal cabinet) that could interfere with the signal.
4. Inspect the Physical Installation
Take a moment to check the physical hardware.
- DoorSense™ Magnet: Ensure the magnet on your door frame is securely attached and properly aligned with the Smart Lock. The recommended gap is usually no more than 1.5 cm.
- Smart Lock Fit: Check that the Smart Lock is tightly secured to the door. A loose lock could shift slightly, causing the internal sensors to misread its state.
5. Update Firmware and App
Finally, ensure your software is up to date. August regularly releases firmware updates for its devices and new versions of the app. These updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can resolve issues with false alerts.
- Device Firmware: The August app will usually notify you if a firmware update is available for your lock or doorbell. You can check for this in the device settings.
- App Version: Visit your phone's app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) to make sure you have the latest version of the August app installed.
By following these targeted troubleshooting steps, you can significantly improve the accuracy of your August system and restore its role as a trusted and helpful part of your smart home.