When Your August Camera Fails to Record
Your August Doorbell Cam or Smart Lock with an integrated camera is a key part of your home's security, acting as your digital gatekeeper. It's designed to automatically record video clips when it detects motion or when someone rings the bell, providing you with a crucial record of activity at your front door. So, receiving a 'Recording Failed' notification can be both concerning and frustrating.
This error message indicates that while the camera may have detected an event, it was unable to successfully capture and save the video footage. This guide will help you diagnose and fix the common causes behind this issue, ensuring your August camera is always ready to record.
Uncovering the Cause of Failed Recordings
A failed recording is typically a symptom of a communication breakdown. The camera detected something, but it couldn't complete the process of uploading the video to the cloud. Here are the most common culprits.
- Poor Wi-Fi Connection: This is the leading cause. If the Wi-Fi signal at your front door is weak or intermittent, the camera may not have enough bandwidth to upload the video file. This is especially true for the August Doorbell Cam, which is located outside your home, further from your router.
- Subscription Issues: August cameras require an active video recording subscription to store clips in the cloud. If your subscription has expired or there's a problem with your payment method, recordings will fail.
- Power Problems: For doorbell cameras, inconsistent power from your existing doorbell wiring can cause the device to reboot or lose connection during the recording process.
- August Connect Bridge Issues: The August Connect acts as a bridge between your Wi-Fi network and your lock/camera. If it's offline, unplugged, or too far from your camera, it can't facilitate the upload.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Let's get your camera recording reliably again.
1. Check Your Subscription Status
First, rule out the simplest cause.
- Open the August app and go to the settings menu.
- Check your account details and ensure you have an active video recording subscription.
- Confirm that your payment information is up to date.
2. Diagnose Your Wi-Fi Signal
Next, investigate your network connection.
- Check Signal Strength: In the August app, go to your camera's settings page. There should be a section for Wi-Fi settings that shows the signal strength (RSSI). A weak signal is a likely cause of the problem.
- Test Your Speed: Stand near your camera with your smartphone and run an internet speed test. Pay close attention to the upload speed. A consistent upload speed of at least 2 Mbps is recommended for reliable video recording.
- Reboot Your Network: Unplug your modem, router, and August Connect bridge. Wait a minute, then plug them back in, starting with the modem.
3. Improve Your Connection
If your Wi-Fi signal is weak, you need to strengthen it.
- Move Your Router: Try moving your router closer to the front door, if possible.
- Upgrade Your Wi-Fi: Consider a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh network system to provide a stronger, more reliable signal to the area around your door.
- Check the August Connect: Ensure your August Connect bridge is plugged in and has a solid green light. It should be positioned roughly halfway between your router and your August camera.
4. Verify Power Supply (for Doorbell Cams)
For hardwired doorbell cameras, insufficient power can cause instability.
- Check Wiring: Ensure the doorbell wiring is secure at both the doorbell and the chime box.
- Test Voltage: If you are comfortable doing so, you can use a multimeter to test the voltage of your doorbell transformer. It should meet the requirements specified in the August installation manual (typically 16-24V AC). If the voltage is too low, you may need an electrician to install a more powerful transformer.
By systematically checking your subscription, network, and power, you can identify the root cause of the 'Recording Failed' error and restore your August camera's ability to capture every important moment.