What to Do When Your Cove Camera Shows No Video
It can be alarming to find that your Cove security camera is offline or not showing a video feed. A non-functional camera leaves a significant gap in your home's security. Fortunately, most issues that cause a Cove camera to stop transmitting video are related to power or connectivity and can be resolved with a few simple steps.
This guide will help you systematically troubleshoot why your Cove camera is not working and get it back online.
## Step 1: Check the Power Source
Before suspecting a complex network issue, always verify that the camera is receiving power. This is the most fundamental requirement and the most common point of failure.
- Is the Camera Plugged In? Check that the power cord is securely plugged into the camera and into the wall outlet.
- Is the Outlet Working? The issue might be the power outlet itself. Unplug the camera and plug in a different device that you know works, like a lamp or a phone charger, to confirm the outlet is active. Check if the outlet is connected to a light switch that may have been turned off.
- Inspect the Power Cable: Look for any visible damage, kinks, or cuts in the power cable that could be interrupting the flow of electricity.
- Check the Status Light: Look at the small LED indicator light on the camera. If there is no light at all, it is almost certainly a power issue. If the light is on but perhaps flashing, it indicates the camera has power but is having trouble connecting.
## Step 2: Verify Your Internet and Wi-Fi Connection
For your Cove camera to stream video, it must be connected to your home's Wi-Fi network and the internet.
### 1. Is Your Home Wi-Fi Working?
Check if other devices in your home, like your smartphone or computer, can connect to the Wi-Fi and access the internet. If not, the problem is with your internet service or your router, not the camera.
### 2. Reboot Your Router
Routers can sometimes experience temporary glitches that a simple restart will fix.
- Unplug your Wi-Fi router from its power source.
- Wait for at least 60 seconds.
- Plug the router back in and wait a few minutes for it to fully restart and establish an internet connection.
### 3. Have You Changed Your Wi-Fi Password Recently?
If you have changed your Wi-Fi network's name (SSID) or password, your camera will be disconnected. It does not update automatically. You will need to go through the setup process in the Cove app again to connect the camera to the network with the new credentials.
## Step 3: Relaunch the App and Power Cycle the Camera
If you have confirmed both power and Wi-Fi are working correctly, the next step is to refresh the connection between the camera and the app.
- Force Close the Cove App: On your smartphone, completely close the Cove app. Do not just navigate away from it; swipe it away from your recent apps list to ensure it is fully closed.
- Power Cycle the Camera: Unplug your Cove camera from the wall outlet. Wait for a full 60 seconds. This allows it to fully discharge and clear any temporary software issues.
- Plug the Camera Back In: Reconnect the power. The camera will begin its startup sequence. Give it a few minutes to boot up and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
- Reopen the Cove App: Once the camera's status light indicates it is connected (usually a solid blue or green light), open the Cove app and check if the video feed has been restored.
## Step 4: Re-Setup the Camera
If all the above steps fail, you may need to perform a factory reset and set the camera up again from scratch. This will erase its current settings, including your Wi-Fi information.
- Look for a small, recessed reset button on the camera (you may need a paperclip to press it).
- Press and hold the reset button for 15-20 seconds until the camera's status light changes to indicate it is resetting.
- Once reset, delete the camera from your Cove app and then follow the app's instructions to add it back to your system as if it were a new device.