How to Make Your Reolink Activity Zones Work Effectively
One of the most powerful features of your Reolink camera is the ability to set Activity Zones (also known as motion zones). This feature is designed to reduce the number of false notifications by telling your camera to ignore motion in certain parts of the scene. However, if you're still getting alerts from a busy street or your neighbour's garden, your activity zones may not be configured correctly.
This guide will provide you with a professional and clear walkthrough on how to set up and troubleshoot your Reolink activity zones to ensure you only get the alerts that matter.
## Understanding How Reolink Activity Zones Work
It's a common point of confusion, so it's critical to understand this first: when you configure your activity zone in the Reolink app, you are painting the areas you want the camera to IGNORE. The clear, un-painted area is the active zone where motion will be detected.
If you paint over the area you want to watch, you are telling the camera to ignore it, and you will get alerts from everywhere else.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring Activity Zones
Follow these steps precisely to ensure your zones are set up for success.
- Open the Reolink App: Select the camera you wish to configure.
- Go to Settings: Tap on the gear icon to open the Device Settings.
- Navigate to Detection: Find and tap on Detection Alarm.
- Set the Area: Tap on MD Settings or Detection Zone. You will see a grid overlay on your camera's view.
- Mask the Unwanted Areas: Carefully tap and drag your finger over the parts of the image you want to exclude from motion detection. For example, if a public pavement is in the frame, cover it completely with the mask.
- SAVE Your Changes: This is a crucial step that is often missed. Tap the checkmark or Save button, usually in the top-right corner, to apply your settings. If you don't save, the zones will not be active.
## Troubleshooting Ineffective Activity Zones
If you've set your zones but they don't seem to be working, here are the common reasons why.
### Sensitivity is Too High
Even with zones set, a very high sensitivity setting can sometimes cause motion from a masked area to "bleed over" and trigger an alert.
- Solution: In the Detection Alarm menu, you will find a Sensitivity slider. It's often set high by default. Try reducing the sensitivity setting slightly. Make small adjustments and test the results before lowering it further.
### Differentiating Detection Types
Reolink offers different types of motion detection, and zones work differently with each.
- Pixel-Based Motion: This is the standard type, which is what the activity zones primarily affect.
- PIR Sensor: Some battery-powered cameras use a PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor to detect heat. PIR sensors detect motion in a much broader pattern and are not affected by the pixel-based activity zones you draw.
- Person/Vehicle Detection: Newer cameras with smart AI detection will first detect any motion and then analyse if it's a person or vehicle. The activity zone tells the camera where to look for this initial motion. Ensure the motion you want to detect (the person or vehicle) will actually be inside your active, un-masked zone.
### Firmware and App Updates
Reolink regularly improves its motion detection algorithms through software updates.
- Solution: Check for and install any available firmware updates for your camera in the Device Info section of the settings. Also, ensure your Reolink app on your phone is always updated to the latest version from the app store.
By ensuring you are masking the correct areas, tuning your sensitivity, and keeping your software up-to-date, you can solve the vast majority of problems with ineffective activity zones and start enjoying more accurate, relevant security notifications.