Is Your Ezviz Camera Not Working with Alexa?
Connecting your Ezviz camera to Amazon Alexa offers the fantastic convenience of viewing your live camera feed on an Echo Show, Fire TV, or Echo Spot with a simple voice command. However, the setup has a specific requirement that can often be overlooked, leading to frustration when the connection fails.
If you've linked the Ezviz skill but can't get a live view, or if Alexa can't find your device at all, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to get it working.
The Most Important Step: Disable Image Encryption
Before we go any further, it's crucial to understand the number one reason why Ezviz cameras fail to stream to Alexa. Ezviz uses a feature called Image Encryption to add an extra layer of security to your video feed.
When this feature is enabled, the video stream is encrypted, and third-party services like Alexa do not have the key to decrypt it. This results in Alexa being unable to display the video. You must disable this feature for any camera you wish to view via Alexa.
How to Disable Image Encryption:
- Open the Ezviz app on your smartphone.
- Select the camera you want to connect to Alexa.
- Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner to open the settings.
- Scroll down and find the toggle for Image Encryption.
- Turn it off. You may need to enter your camera's verification code (found on the sticker on the camera itself) to confirm this change.
Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting Ezviz and Alexa
If you're still having issues, let's go through the entire process from the start.
1. Enable the Ezviz Alexa Skill
First, you need to connect the two services.
- Open the Amazon Alexa app.
- Tap on More in the bottom right, then select Skills & Games.
- Use the search bar to find Ezviz.
- Tap Enable to Use and sign in with your Ezviz account email and password. This links your two accounts.
- If you've already done this, it's a good idea to Disable the skill and then Re-enable it to ensure a fresh and proper connection.
2. Discover Your Devices
Once the skill is enabled and image encryption is off, you need to ask Alexa to find your camera.
- You can simply say the voice command: "Alexa, discover my devices."
- Alternatively, in the Alexa app, go to the Devices tab, tap the + icon, select Add Device > Camera, and then follow the on-screen prompts.
3. Troubleshoot Common Errors
- "Camera is not responding" or "Live view not available": This error is almost always caused by Image Encryption still being enabled. Go back to the Ezviz app and double-check that it is turned off for the correct camera.
- Camera is Not Discovered: If Alexa can't find the camera, ensure it is powered on and has a stable internet connection. Try disabling and re-enabling the Ezviz skill. Also, ensure you are using the correct Ezviz account login details.
- Poor Video Quality or Buffering: This is likely a Wi-Fi issue. Ensure your Ezviz camera has a strong Wi-Fi signal. A weak signal may be enough for the Ezviz app but not for streaming to another service.
4. Use Correct Voice Commands
- Give your camera a simple and clear name in the Ezviz or Alexa app, like "Front Door" or "Garden".
- Use specific commands like: "Alexa, show the Front Door camera."
By ensuring you have disabled Image Encryption and correctly linked the Ezviz skill, you can easily overcome the most common hurdles and enjoy hands-free viewing of your camera feeds.