Fix Netatmo Delayed Notifications for Your Smart Camera

How to Fix Delayed Notifications on Your Netatmo Smart Camera

Netatmo smart cameras, like the indoor 'Welcome' and outdoor 'Presence', are known for their intelligent detection features, such as identifying people, cars, and animals. However, the value of these smart alerts is lost if they arrive on your phone long after the event has happened. A delayed notification can be the difference between interacting with a visitor and just seeing that they left.

This guide will help you troubleshoot and fix the common causes of delayed notifications from your Netatmo security cameras, ensuring you get alerts in a timely manner.

## Understanding Netatmo's Alerting Process

Netatmo cameras have a unique feature: they process video data locally on the device to identify what they're seeing. This is great for privacy. However, once the camera identifies an event (e.g., "Person Seen"), it still needs to use your network to send that tiny alert message to you.

The process is:

1. Camera detects motion and records a clip to its SD card.
2. On-board processor analyses the clip to classify the motion (Person, Car, etc.).
3. The camera sends the alert information via your Wi-Fi to the Netatmo cloud.
4. The Netatmo cloud sends the push notification to your phone.

Delays are almost always caused by a problem in step 3: the camera's connection to your Wi-Fi network.

## Step 1: Diagnose Your Camera's Wi-Fi Connection

A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal is the number one cause of notification delays. The camera may be able to 'see' the event instantly, but it struggles to 'tell' you about it.

1. Open the Netatmo Security app.
2. Go to the settings menu (the gear icon) for the camera in question.
3. Find the Wi-Fi Status or Signal Strength option.
4. Check the signal level. Netatmo will typically show you the signal strength with a number of bars or a status like "Good" or "Weak".

If the signal is anything less than "Good" or "Excellent", this is the likely source of your problem.

Solutions for a Weak Signal:

• Move Your Router: Try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to the camera. Even a few feet can make a big difference.
• Eliminate Obstructions: Thick walls, especially concrete or brick, can severely block Wi-Fi signals. Ensure there's a clear path between the router and the camera.
• Invest in a Wi-Fi Extender: If you cannot move your router, a Wi-Fi range extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system can be placed halfway between the router and the camera to boost the signal in that area.

## Step 2: Check the SD Card

While less common, a faulty, slow, or full SD card can sometimes cause processing issues on the camera, which may have a knock-on effect on alert speed.

• Use a High-Quality Card: Ensure you are using a reputable, high-speed (Class 10 or higher) microSD card. A cheap, slow card can struggle to write video data quickly enough.
• Format the SD Card: If you suspect an issue, try reformatting the SD card. You can do this from within the Netatmo Security app's settings. Warning: This will erase all existing footage on the card.
• Check Card Health: If the problem persists, try a different, new SD card to rule out a hardware fault with the card itself.

## Step 3: Optimise Your Smartphone's Settings

The receiving device—your phone—can also be a source of delays.

• Check Your Phone's Connection: Ensure your phone has a strong internet connection, either via Wi-Fi or mobile data. A poor signal on your phone will delay the receipt of the notification.
• Disable Battery Saving Modes: Aggressive battery optimisation on your phone can delay push notifications from apps.
  • For Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Netatmo Security. Find the 'Battery' settings and choose 'Unrestricted' to ensure it can always receive alerts instantly.
  • For iOS: Disable 'Low Power Mode'. Also, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and confirm it is enabled for the Netatmo Security app.
• Reboot Your Phone: A simple restart of your smartphone can often clear up temporary glitches that might be holding up notifications.

## Step 4: Reboot Your Network and Camera

If you've tried the steps above and are still experiencing issues, a full system reboot is a good final step.

1. Power down your Netatmo camera.
2. Unplug your internet modem and Wi-Fi router.
3. Wait for 60 seconds.
4. Plug the modem back in and wait for it to fully connect.
5. Plug the router back in.
6. Once your home network is back online, power up your Netatmo camera again.

By ensuring your camera has a strong Wi-Fi signal and that your phone is optimised to receive alerts, you can solve the problem of delayed notifications and regain confidence in your Netatmo security system.