August Doorbell Missing Features? Here’s How to Fix It
If your August device is missing features you expect, this guide will help you identify the root cause and restore functionality. Common issues include subscription limitations, firmware updates, or model-specific capabilities. Follow the steps below to resolve the problem.
Quick Fixes to Restore Missing Features
These checks take under 30 seconds and address common causes of missing features:
- Check your subscription plan: Open the August App, go to Account Settings → Subscription Plan. Ensure you're on a plan that supports the feature you're missing.
- Restart the August App: Force-close the app and reopen it. This refreshes the connection to your device and may resolve temporary glitches.
- Verify LED status: Look at the LED on your August View or August Doorbell Cam Pro. A solid green light indicates proper connectivity, while blinking or no light may signal a power or Wi-Fi issue.
- Check battery health: For August View, ensure the battery is above 20% in the app under Battery Health Monitor. Low battery can disable certain features.
- Log into your account: Confirm you're logged into the correct August account in the app. Incorrect login details may limit access to features.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Missing Features
1. Check Your August Device’s Wi-Fi Band Settings
August devices only support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n). If your router uses a single SSID for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, temporarily disable the 5GHz band during setup. To confirm your Wi-Fi band:
- Open the August App → Device Health → Wi-Fi Signal Check.
- Ensure the displayed network is 2.4GHz. If not, go to your router’s settings and create a separate SSID for 2.4GHz.
2. Update Firmware via the August App
Outdated firmware may disable features or cause malfunctions. To update:
- Open the August App → Device Health → Firmware Version.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions. Ensure your device is connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network and has a stable internet connection during the update.
- After updating, restart your device by holding the RESET button for 5 seconds.
3. Use the Device Health Monitor for Diagnostics
The August App includes a Device Health Monitor to identify issues affecting features:
- Open the app → Device Health → Battery Health Monitor (for August View) or Signal Strength (for August Doorbell Cam Pro).
- If battery levels are low, charge your August View fully before using it.
- If signal strength is weak (RSSI below -70dBm), move your device closer to the router or reduce obstructions.
4. Reset Your August Device for Factory Defaults
If features are still missing, perform a factory reset:
- For August View: Press and hold the RESET button on the back of the unit for 5 seconds until the LED resets.
- For August Doorbell Cam Pro: Press and hold the RESET button for 5 seconds to restore factory defaults.
- After resetting, re-pair the device via the August App → Devices → Add Device. Ensure your Wi-Fi network is set to 2.4GHz during setup.
5. Contact August Support for Advanced Diagnostics
If the above steps fail, contact August support directly:
- Visit https://support.august.com and select Device Issues → Missing Features.
- Provide your device model, firmware version, and a detailed description of the missing feature.
- August support may request diagnostic logs from the app or suggest a firmware rollback if the issue began after an update.
When Basic Fixes Don’t Work: Advanced Troubleshooting
If missing features persist after basic steps, follow these advanced procedures:
- Factory reset and re-pair: Perform the factory reset steps above, then re-pair your device using the August App. Ensure no other August devices are undergoing updates simultaneously.
- Check for hardware faults: If your August View’s battery degrades rapidly (below 20% after 300 cycles), consider replacement. For August Doorbell Cam Pro, check the Transformer Voltage at the junction box — it must supply 16–24V AC.
- Enable advanced diagnostics: In the August App, go to Device Health → Diagnostic Logs. Share these logs with support for detailed troubleshooting.
Root Causes of Missing Features on August Devices
Missing features often stem from subscription limitations, firmware incompatibilities, or model-specific capabilities:
- Subscription tiers: Basic plans may exclude features like advanced motion detection or cloud storage. Upgrade via the August App → Account Settings → Subscription Plan.
- Firmware updates: Outdated firmware may disable features. Ensure your device is updated to the latest version via Device Health → Firmware Version.
- UK-specific challenges: Virgin Media Hub 5x users may need to enable modem mode or configure DMZ settings. EE/Three/Vodafone mobile broadband users may benefit from using the August cloud service instead of P2P connections.
Prevention and Long-Term Care for August Devices
Maintain your August device to avoid missing features in the future:
- Monitor battery health: For August View, keep the battery above 20% by charging regularly. Replace the battery if it degrades below 300 cycles.
- Update firmware regularly: Check for updates in the August App → Device Health → Firmware Version.
- Optimize Wi-Fi connectivity: Ensure your router uses a 2.4GHz network and avoid obstructions. For Virgin Media users, enable modem mode if necessary.
- Full disclosure: we built scOS to address exactly this — the frustration of devices that depend on subscriptions or firmware updates to function. scOS uses permanently powered cameras connected via ethernet, eliminating reliance on Wi-Fi or subscription tiers.
Replacement Decisions for August Devices
If your August device consistently misses features, consider replacement:
- Battery-powered models (August View): Lifespan is 3–5 years. Replace if battery health drops below 20% after 300 cycles.
- Hardwired models (August Doorbell Cam Pro): Lifespan is 5–8 years. Replace if the transformer voltage drops below 16V AC or firmware updates fail.
- UK consumer rights: Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have up to 6 years (5 years in Scotland) to claim faulty goods. If your device fails within this period, contact August support for warranty or repair options.