Merkury Camera Motion Detection Not Working? Let's Solve It
A Merkury smart camera is a great tool for home security, but only if its motion detection is working correctly. If your camera isn't alerting you to movement or recording events, it can leave a serious gap in your home's security.
Most of the time, the fix is simple and lies within the app settings. This guide will walk you through the troubleshooting steps to get your Merkury camera's motion detection and alerts working again. (Note: Most Merkury cameras are managed using the Geeni app).
## Step 1: Check the Core Motion Detection Settings
Let's start inside the app to make sure everything is enabled as it should be.
- Open the Geeni App and select your Merkury camera.
- Tap the settings icon (usually a pencil) in the top-right corner.
- Go to 'Motion Detection Settings'.
- Ensure 'Motion Detection' is Toggled On: This is the master switch. If it's off, nothing else will work.
- Adjust the Sensitivity: Below the toggle, you'll see 'Sensitivity Level'. If it's set to 'Low', it might not be picking up the events you're expecting. If you're missing events, try setting it to 'High' for testing purposes. You can always reduce it later if you get too many alerts.
## Step 2: Verify Your Notification Settings
If motion detection is on but you're not getting alerts on your phone, the problem is likely with your notification permissions.
### In the Geeni App:
- From the camera's main settings page, tap on 'Notification Settings'.
- Make sure that you have selected to receive notifications 'Always' or during your desired schedule.
- Check that the notification type for 'Motion Detection' is enabled.
### In Your Phone's Settings:
This is a very common oversight. You need to give the Geeni app permission to send you notifications.
- For iPhone: Go to Settings > Notifications > Geeni. Ensure that 'Allow Notifications' is turned on.
- For Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Geeni > Notifications. Make sure all notification categories are enabled.
## Step 3: Check Your Storage and Recording
If you're getting alerts but can't see any recorded videos, the issue is with storage.
- Micro SD Card: If you are using an SD card, ensure it is inserted correctly and has free space. A full or corrupted SD card can't save new recordings. Try removing the card, reformatting it (this will erase all footage), and inserting it back into the camera.
- Cloud Storage: If you subscribe to the cloud service, check that your subscription is active and has not expired.
## Step 4: Reboot and Reconnect
Technical glitches can often be solved with a simple restart.
- Reboot the Camera: Unplug your Merkury camera from the power outlet. Wait for 30-60 seconds before plugging it back in. Give it a few minutes to fully restart and connect to your Wi-Fi.
- Reboot Your Router: An unstable Wi-Fi connection can prevent the camera from sending notifications or uploading video clips. Restarting your router can often solve these temporary network issues.
## Advanced Tip: Check for a Schedule
The Geeni app allows you to set a schedule for when motion detection is active. It's possible a schedule was set accidentally.
- In the camera's 'Motion Detection Settings' or 'Notification Settings', look for a 'Schedule' option.
- Ensure it is not set to a schedule that would make the camera inactive during the times you're expecting it to be working. Disable the schedule entirely for testing if needed.
By following these steps, you can systematically identify why your Merkury camera's motion detection isn't working and restore its functionality, ensuring you're always alerted to what's happening at home.