Blink Camera Not Recording? A UK Troubleshooting Guide
A security camera that doesn't record is a significant problem. If your Blink camera system is online and you can access Live View, but no motion-activated clips are being saved, you're missing the primary security feature. This issue is usually caused by a simple setting or configuration error.
This guide will walk you through the essential checks and settings within the Blink app to diagnose why your camera isn't recording and how to fix it, ensuring your property is monitored correctly.
## Step 1: Check if Your System is Armed
This is the single most common reason for a Blink camera to stop recording. The Blink system has two main states: Armed and Disarmed.
- Armed: Motion detection is active. The cameras will detect motion and record a clip.
- Disarmed: Motion detection is inactive. The cameras will not record clips, but you can still use Live View.
How to check and change the system state: On the home screen of the Blink app, at the bottom, you will see a toggle that says either 'Armed' or 'Disarmed'. If it says 'Disarmed', simply tap it. It will switch to 'Armed', and a blue 'running man' icon will appear next to your cameras.
You can also set a schedule for arming and disarming your system automatically in the settings, which is useful for arming it at night or when you leave for work.
## Step 2: Review Individual Camera Settings
Even if the whole system is armed, individual cameras can have their own settings that prevent recording.
- Tap the settings icon (three sliders) next to the camera that isn't recording.
- Enable Motion Detection: Ensure the 'Enable Motion Detection' toggle is switched on. If this is off, the camera will never record.
- Check Activity Zones: Activity Zones tell the camera where to look for motion. If you have zones configured, you might have accidentally disabled the area you want to monitor. Tap 'Activity Zones' and make sure the grid squares covering your desired detection area are active (not greyed out). For troubleshooting, try resetting and selecting the entire area.
- Adjust Sensitivity: The 'Motion Sensitivity' slider determines how much movement is needed to trigger a recording. If it's set too low (e.g., 1 or 2), it might not pick up distant or subtle movements. Try increasing the sensitivity to a mid-range value like 6 or 7.
## Step 3: Verify Your Storage and Subscription
Where your clips are saved depends on your setup. A problem here can prevent new recordings.
- Blink Subscription Plan: If you subscribe to a Blink plan, your clips are saved to the cloud. Log in to your Amazon account and check that your subscription is active and your payment method is up to date.
- Local Storage (Sync Module 2): If you are using a USB drive with a Sync Module 2, you are using local storage.
- Check the USB Drive: Ensure the USB drive is properly inserted into the Sync Module 2.
- Check Storage: In the Blink app, go to Sync Module settings and check the status of your local storage. If the drive is full, you will need to delete old clips to make space for new ones.
- Safely Eject and Re-insert: Try safely ejecting the USB drive through the app, removing it, and then re-inserting it to re-establish the connection.
## Step 4: Other Important Considerations
- Camera Placement: Blink's motion sensor detects changes in heat. It cannot detect motion through glass. If your camera is indoors looking out of a window, it will not record motion. The camera must have a clear, unobstructed view.
- Reboot the System: If you've checked all the settings and it's still not working, try a power cycle. Unplug your Sync Module and router from power for 60 seconds. Plug the router back in first, wait for it to come online, and then plug the Sync Module back in. This can clear any temporary communication glitches.
- Check Battery Levels: While a camera with low batteries will usually go offline, very low power can sometimes cause erratic behaviour. Ensure your camera's batteries are fresh.
By methodically working through these steps, from arming the system to checking your storage, you can almost certainly resolve the issue of your Blink camera not recording.