Troubleshooting Missing Features on Your Laview Camera
When you invest in a Laview security camera, you expect to use all the features advertised. It can be confusing and frustrating when a function you were looking forward to, such as person detection, activity zones, or colour night vision, seems to be missing from the app. This guide will help you understand the common reasons why features might not be available and what you can do about it.
Step 1: Ensure All Software is Up to Date
The most common reason for a feature not appearing is outdated software. Laview frequently adds features and improves functionality through updates.
Update the Laview App:
- Go to the Google Play Store (for Android) or the Apple App Store (for iOS) on your smartphone.
- Search for the "Laview" app.
- If you see an "Update" button, tap it to install the latest version. An old app version may not have the controls for newer firmware features.
Update the Camera's Firmware:
- Open the Laview app and select the camera in question.
- Navigate to the "Settings" menu.
- Look for an option like "Device Information," "General," or "Firmware Update."
- The app will check if a newer firmware version is available for your camera. If there is, follow the on-screen prompts to download and install it. Do not unplug the camera during the firmware update process.
After updating both the app and firmware, restart the app and check if the missing feature has appeared.
Step 2: Check Model Specifications and Subscription Requirements
Not all features are available on all models, and some may require a paid plan.
Verify Your Camera Model's Capabilities:
- Laview offers a wide range of cameras, from basic models to advanced ones. Features like 4K resolution, advanced AI detection (pet, vehicle, person), and active deterrence (siren/light) are hardware-dependent and only available on specific models.
- Revisit the product page or the user manual for your exact camera model to confirm which features it is supposed to have. You might find that the feature you are looking for was never advertised for your particular device.
Review Subscription Plans:
- Many advanced cloud-based features are tied to a Laview subscription plan (e.g., Laview Care).
- Cloud Storage: The ability to store and review video history for extended periods (e.g., 7, 15, or 30 days) is almost always a subscription feature. Without a plan, you may only have access to live viewing and SD card recordings.
- Advanced AI Alerts: While the camera may support person detection, the ability to receive rich notifications with snapshots or sort events by type in the cloud might require a subscription.
- Check the "Subscription" or "Cloud Storage" section of the Laview app to see what features are included in the different paid tiers.
Step 3: Check Configuration and Settings
Sometimes a feature is present but needs to be manually enabled.
Explore the Settings Menu:
- Dive deep into the camera's settings in the app. A feature like "Colour Night Vision" might be located under a "Display" or "Lighting Settings" menu and may need to be switched from "Infrared" to "Colour."
- "Activity Zones" or "Detection Area" settings are usually found within the "Motion Detection" menu. You may need to manually draw the zones for them to become active.
Hardware Dependencies:
- Some features require specific hardware to function. For example, two-way audio requires a camera with both a built-in microphone and a speaker. If you can't find the "talk" button, your camera model may only have a microphone for listening.
If after following all these steps you still believe your camera is missing a feature it should have, it's time to contact Laview's customer support. Be ready to provide them with your camera's model number, serial number, and the firmware version you are running.