Canary Camera Won't Connect? A Step-by-Step Fixing Guide
A Canary camera that won't connect to your network is unable to provide the security and monitoring you rely on. Whether you're setting it up for the first time or it has suddenly gone offline, this guide will walk you through the troubleshooting steps to get it back up and running.
We will cover everything from initial setup problems to fixing a device that has dropped its connection, all using straightforward, British English instructions.
### Decoding the Canary Status Lights
Before we begin, it's helpful to understand what the light at the bottom of your Canary device is telling you.
- Solid White: The device is on and booting up.
- Flashing Blue: The device is in pairing mode, attempting to connect during setup.
- Solid Blue: The device has successfully paired with your phone.
- Solid Green: The device is connected to the internet and monitoring.
- Solid Red: The device cannot connect to the internet.
- Solid Yellow: The device is updating its firmware.
How to Fix a Canary That Won't Connect
Follow these steps in order to diagnose and resolve the issue.
## 1. Check Your Wi-Fi Network Requirements
Canary has specific network requirements that must be met for a successful connection.
- 2.4GHz Network: Canary devices only connect to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band. They are not compatible with 5GHz bands. If you have a dual-band router, make sure your phone is connected to the 2.4GHz network during setup, as the Canary will try to connect to the same one.
- Network Name (SSID) and Password: Double-check that you are selecting the correct network name and entering the password accurately. Passwords are case-sensitive.
- Avoid Special Characters: Ensure your network name and password do not contain any special characters or symbols, as this can sometimes cause issues with IoT devices.
## 2. Power Cycle the Canary and Your Router
A simple reboot can often clear temporary glitches that prevent a connection.
- Unplug the Canary device from its power source.
- Unplug your Wi-Fi router and your modem.
- Wait for 60 seconds.
- Plug in the modem first and wait for it to fully connect.
- Plug in the router and wait for its lights to stabilize.
- Plug the Canary back in. It will boot up (solid white light) and then attempt to connect. Hopefully, it will turn solid green.
## 3. Improve the Wi-Fi Signal
A weak signal is a primary cause of connection failure.
- Move Closer: Try moving the Canary device closer to your Wi-Fi router, at least for the initial setup process. If it connects successfully, you know that signal strength was the issue.
- Minimise Interference: Keep the Canary and your router away from other electronic devices, especially microwave ovens, cordless phones, and large metal objects, which can interfere with the Wi-Fi signal.
## 4. The Setup Cable (for original Canary Pro/All-in-One)
If you are struggling to connect via Bluetooth during the initial setup, use the provided setup cable.
- Plug one end of the yellow setup cable into the back of the Canary.
- Plug the other end into your smartphone's headphone jack (you may need an adapter for newer phones).
- Follow the instructions in the Canary app. The cable provides a more direct and reliable way to transfer network credentials to the device.
## 5. Factory Reset the Canary
If nothing else has worked, a factory reset is the last resort. This will erase all settings and require you to set up the device from scratch.
- Make sure the Canary is plugged in.
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the device for 12-15 seconds.
- You will hear a loud shutdown sound, and the device will restart.
- Once it has rebooted, open the Canary app and follow the on-screen instructions to add a new device.