Blink Vehicle Detection Failed? Here's How to Fix It

Blink Camera Not Detecting Vehicles? A Troubleshooting Guide

Blink's smart notification feature, which can specifically identify vehicles, is a fantastic way to reduce unwanted motion alerts and stay informed about important activity. However, when it fails to work, you might be missing the very notifications you care about most. This guide will walk you through the common reasons why Blink vehicle detection might be failing and how to fix it.

Common Reasons for Vehicle Detection Failure

The issue can usually be traced back to one of five key areas: your subscription, your settings, your camera's placement, or software glitches.

• Subscription Plan: Vehicle detection is not a free feature. It is part of the Blink Plus Plan. If you have the Basic Plan or no plan at all, you will not have access to this smart notification feature.
• Incompatible Camera: This feature is only available on newer Blink devices, such as the Blink Outdoor 4, Outdoor 3, and the Blink Video Doorbell. Older models do not have the necessary hardware or software support.
• Incorrect App Settings: The feature may be available on your account but simply not enabled for the specific camera in question.
• Poor Camera Positioning: The camera needs a clear view to accurately identify an object as a vehicle. Obstructions, poor angles, or bad lighting can interfere with its performance.
• Activity Zones: You may have inadvertently configured your motion activity zones in a way that excludes the very areas where cars would be present.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Blink Vehicle Detection

Let's systematically work through the potential problems to get your alerts running correctly.

1. Verify Your Blink Subscription Plan

First, confirm you have the correct subscription.

1. Open the Blink app.
2. Go to Settings and then select Account and Privacy.
3. Look for My Subscriptions or a similar option.
4. Confirm that you have an active Blink Plus Plan. If you have the Basic plan or no subscription, you will need to upgrade to use vehicle detection.

2. Check Camera Compatibility and Settings

Ensure the feature is turned on for the correct camera.

1. From the home screen of the Blink app, tap the More button (...) and then Device Settings for the camera you want to configure.
2. Navigate to Motion Settings.
3. Tap on Smart Notifications.
4. You will see options for Person and Vehicle detection. Make sure Vehicle is selected. You can also choose to have notifications for both.
5. If you do not see the 'Smart Notifications' option, your camera model is likely not compatible with the feature.

3. Optimise Camera Placement

The camera's perspective is crucial for the AI to work effectively.

• Clear Line of Sight: Ensure that bushes, trees, or other objects are not blocking the camera's view of your driveway or the street.
• Proper Height and Angle: Mount the camera between 2 and 3 metres from the ground, angled downwards. A camera that is too low or pointing straight out may struggle to see the full shape of a car.
• Good Lighting: While Blink cameras have night vision, extremely dark or poorly lit areas can reduce detection accuracy. Ensure the area is reasonably well-lit if possible.

4. Review Your Activity Zones

Activity zones tell your camera where to look for motion. An incorrect setup can prevent detection.

1. In the camera's Motion Settings, go to Motion Zones.
2. You will see a grid over your camera's view. The active areas where motion will be detected are highlighted.
3. Make sure that the zones covering your driveway, garage entrance, or the street are active (highlighted in blue). If these areas are greyed out, the camera will ignore all motion within them, including vehicles.
4. Reset the zones and re-draw them if you are unsure.

5. Reboot and Update

A final step is to refresh the system.

• Power Cycle Your Camera: For battery-powered cameras, open the back cover, remove the batteries, wait 30 seconds, and then re-insert them. This reboots the camera and can clear temporary glitches.
• Update the App: Check the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to ensure you have the latest version of the Blink app installed on your phone.

By following these steps, you can address the most common issues and restore your camera's ability to intelligently detect and notify you about vehicles.