Is Your August Doorbell Live View Constantly Buffering?
The ability to instantly see and speak to whoever is at your front door is a core feature of the August Doorbell. However, if you're frequently met with a spinning circle, a lagging video feed, or a connection that fails altogether, it can render this key security feature useless. This frustrating experience is almost always a symptom of a poor wireless connection.
This troubleshooting guide will help you diagnose the root cause of your connectivity issues and provide effective solutions to achieve a smooth, stable live video stream from your August Doorbell.
Common Symptoms of a Poor Connection
If you have a connectivity problem, you'll likely recognise one or more of the following issues:
- Constant Buffering: The live video stream repeatedly freezes and displays a loading or buffering icon.
- Long Load Times: It takes an excessive amount of time (more than 10-15 seconds) for the live view to connect and display an image.
- Lagging Video: The video feed is choppy, pixelated, or several seconds behind real-time events.
- "Unable to Connect" Errors: The app frequently fails to establish a connection to the live stream at all.
- Poor Audio Quality: The audio cuts in and out, or is completely out of sync with the video.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Buffering and Lag
Follow these steps to systematically improve the connection to your August Doorbell.
1. Test Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength at the Door
The number one cause of buffering is a weak Wi-Fi signal. Your router might provide a strong signal throughout your house, but the signal that reaches your front door can be significantly weakened by walls, doors, and other obstructions.
- Check Signal in the App: Open the August app, go to your doorbell's settings, and look for the Wi-Fi settings. You should find a signal strength indicator. For August devices, you want to see a strong signal, often measured in RSSI. A value of -60 dBm or better (e.g., -50, -40) is recommended. If your signal is -65 dBm or worse (e.g., -70, -80), you have a weak signal problem.
- Use Your Phone as a Guide: Stand by your closed front door and connect your smartphone to the same 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network your doorbell uses. How many Wi-Fi bars do you have? If your phone is struggling to get a good signal, your doorbell definitely is.
2. Check Your Internet Upload Speed
Live streaming video requires a decent amount of upload speed. Many internet plans provide fast download speeds but very slow upload speeds.
- Run a Speed Test: While standing at your door and connected to your Wi-Fi, use a speed test app or website on your phone. Pay close attention to the upload speed. For a smooth stream from your August Doorbell, you should have a consistent upload speed of at least 2-3 Mbps.
- Contact Your ISP: If your upload speed is consistently below this, you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to discuss upgrading your internet plan.
3. Improve Your Home Wi-Fi Network
If you've identified a weak signal at your door, you need to boost it.
- Move Your Router: The simplest solution can be to move your Wi-Fi router to a more central location in your home, closer to the front door. Avoid placing it inside cabinets or behind other electronic devices.
- Install a Wi-Fi Extender: A Wi-Fi extender (or repeater) can be placed halfway between your router and the doorbell to pick up the signal and rebroadcast it, strengthening the connection.
- Upgrade to a Mesh Wi-Fi System: The most effective solution for whole-home coverage is a mesh Wi-Fi system. These systems use multiple satellite nodes placed around your house to create a strong, seamless network, eliminating dead zones like your front porch.
4. Reduce Wi-Fi Interference
Your Wi-Fi signal can be disrupted by other networks and household appliances.
- Use the 2.4GHz Band: August Doorbells, like many smart home devices, use the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band. This band has a longer range than 5GHz but is more susceptible to interference.
- Change Wi-Fi Channel: The 2.4GHz band is divided into channels. If many neighbouring Wi-Fi networks are using the same channel as you, it can cause congestion. Log in to your router's settings and try changing the 2.4GHz channel from 'Auto' to a fixed channel like 1, 6, or 11 to see if performance improves.
By methodically checking your signal strength and making improvements to your home network, you can eliminate buffering and enjoy the instant, reliable live view your August Doorbell is designed to provide.