Troubleshooting a Broken or Unresponsive Netatmo Camera
When your Netatmo security camera stops working, it can be a real worry. Whether it's showing as offline in the app, failing to record, or is completely unresponsive, the good news is that many of the most common problems can be solved with some basic troubleshooting.
This guide will take you through a logical sequence of steps to diagnose what's wrong with your Netatmo camera and help you get it back online and protecting your home.
## Step 1: Diagnose the Problem with the LED Light
The small LED light on your Netatmo camera is the most important diagnostic tool you have. Its colour and pattern can tell you exactly what's going on.
- No Light: The camera is not receiving power.
- Solid Green: All systems are go. The camera is powered on and connected to the network. If you can't see it in the app, the issue might be with your phone or the app itself.
- Flashing Green: The camera is in the process of connecting to the Wi--Fi network.
- Flashing Blue: The camera is in pairing mode, ready to be set up.
- Solid White: The camera is booting up after being plugged in.
- Flashing Red: There is a problem. This could be a Wi-Fi connection failure, an invalid password, or an issue with the SD card.
## Step 2: Troubleshoot Power Issues
If there is no light on the camera at all, the problem is with the power supply.
- Power Cycle the Camera: This is the first and easiest step for most problems. Unplug the camera from the wall, wait a full 60 seconds to allow all the internal components to discharge, and then plug it back in.
- Check the Power Source: Plug a different device, like a phone charger, into the same wall socket to confirm that the socket is working.
- Inspect the USB Cable and Adapter: Check the entire length of the USB cable for any signs of damage, pinching, or fraying. Try using a different micro-USB cable and power adapter if you have one available to rule out a faulty cable.
## Step 3: Solve Wi-Fi and Network Connectivity Problems
If the LED is flashing red or you see the camera as "Offline" in the app, the issue is almost certainly with the network connection.
- Reboot Your Router: Just like power cycling the camera, rebooting your home router can solve a multitude of sins. Unplug it for 60 seconds, plug it back in, and give it a few minutes to fully restart before checking if the camera reconnects.
- Check for Password Changes: Have you recently changed your Wi-Fi network's name (SSID) or password? If so, the camera cannot connect. You will need to go through the setup process in the app again to provide the camera with the new credentials.
- Assess Signal Strength: Physical distance, thick walls, and interference from other electronic devices can weaken the Wi-Fi signal. As a test, try moving the camera temporarily to a location much closer to your router. If it connects successfully there, you know that a weak signal is the problem at its usual location, and you may need a Wi-Fi extender.
## Step 4: Address SD Card Errors
The Netatmo app will usually display a specific warning if there is a problem with the microSD card. An SD card error can prevent the camera from recording any new events.
- Power down the camera by unplugging it.
- Carefully eject the microSD card.
- Inspect the card for any physical damage. You can try inserting it into a computer to see if it can be read.
- Re-insert the card firmly back into the camera until it clicks into place.
- Power the camera back on.
If the error persists, the card's file system may be corrupted. You can try formatting the card (this will erase all existing recordings), but the simplest solution is often to replace it with a new, high-quality Class 10 microSD card.
If you have worked through all of these steps and your camera is still not working, it may have a hardware fault. In this case, your next step should be to contact Netatmo's customer support for further assistance.