Troubleshooting Netatmo Cloud Storage Problems
Netatmo smart security cameras offer a flexible storage solution, saving video clips to a local microSD card and giving you the option to automatically upload them to a personal cloud account like Dropbox or an FTP server. However, when this upload process fails, it can be concerning. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to diagnosing and fixing common Netatmo cloud storage issues.
How Netatmo's Storage System Works
Understanding the data flow is key to troubleshooting. Your Netatmo camera follows this sequence:
- Event Detection: The camera detects motion or a specific event (e.g., a person or car).
- Local Recording: It immediately records the event to the microSD card inside the camera. This is its primary storage.
- Cloud Upload: After saving locally, the camera attempts to upload a copy of that video file to your configured cloud storage destination.
This means that almost all cloud storage issues are, at their root, a problem with connectivity or the initial local recording.
Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving Cloud Upload Failures
Follow these steps to systematically find and fix the problem.
### 1. Verify Wi-Fi Connectivity and Signal Strength
The most common reason for upload failures is a poor or unstable Wi-Fi connection to the camera.
- Check Signal Strength in the App: Open the Netatmo Security app, go to your camera's settings, and check the reported Wi-Fi signal strength. If it's weak, the camera may be able to maintain a basic connection but will struggle with uploading larger video files.
- Improve the Signal: Try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to the camera or vice versa. If that's not possible, consider installing a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system to provide a stronger, more reliable signal to the camera's location.
- Reboot Your Network: Restart your Wi-Fi router. This can clear up temporary network glitches that might be affecting the camera's connection.
### 2. Power Cycle the Netatmo Camera
A simple reboot can often resolve software-related issues within the camera itself.
- Disconnect Power: Unplug the Netatmo camera from its power source.
- Wait: Leave it unplugged for at least 60 seconds to ensure it fully powers down.
- Reconnect Power: Plug the camera back in and wait for it to restart and reconnect to your network. Check the app to see if it begins uploading older, unsynced videos.
### 3. Inspect and Manage the MicroSD Card
A faulty or full microSD card can halt the entire recording and uploading process.
- Check Card Status: In the Netatmo Security app settings, check the status of your microSD card. The app will often report if the card is corrupted or having issues.
- Reformat the Card: As a troubleshooting step, you can reformat the microSD card directly from the app. Warning: This will erase all footage currently stored on the card, so be sure to download any important clips first.
- Replace the Card: MicroSD cards have a finite lifespan and can fail over time. If problems persist, try replacing the existing card with a new, high-endurance Class 10 card from a reputable brand.
### 4. Check Your Cloud Storage Account
The issue might not be with the camera, but with the destination cloud service.
- Verify Credentials: In the Netatmo app, go to the cloud storage settings and try re-linking your Dropbox or FTP server account. Your login credentials may have expired or changed.
- Check Storage Quota: Log in to your Dropbox account or check your FTP server directly. You may have run out of storage space, preventing any new files from being uploaded.
- Review App Permissions: Ensure that the Netatmo app still has the necessary permissions to write files to your Dropbox account.
When to Seek Further Help
If you have worked through all the steps above—confirming strong Wi-Fi, rebooting the camera, checking the SD card, and verifying your cloud account—and videos are still not uploading, there may be a more complex issue. At this point, it is advisable to contact the Netatmo support team directly with the details of the problem and the troubleshooting you have already performed.