How to Fix Reolink Live View Buffering and Lagging
There's nothing more frustrating than trying to check your Reolink camera's live view, only to be met with a constant loading symbol, a choppy feed, or a "Connection failed" message. This buffering and lagging can make it impossible to see what's happening in real-time. The good news is that these issues are almost always related to your network connection, and they can be fixed. This guide will help you diagnose the cause and get your video streaming smoothly.
## Understanding "Clear" vs. "Fluent" Streams
Before we dive in, it's crucial to understand the two viewing modes in the Reolink app:
- Clear: This is the high-resolution, high-quality stream. It provides the best image detail but requires a lot of bandwidth (a fast internet connection).
- Fluent: This is a lower-resolution, lower-quality stream. It uses significantly less bandwidth, making it ideal for slower connections.
One of the quickest tests you can perform is to switch your stream from "Clear" to "Fluent." If buffering stops in Fluent mode, you have definitively diagnosed the problem as a bandwidth or network speed issue.
## Step 1: Diagnose Your Network's Weakest Link
A video stream is a two-way street. The problem could be with the camera's upload speed or with the download speed on the device you're using to watch (your phone or computer).
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Test the Camera's Connection (Upload Speed): The most common culprit is a weak Wi-Fi signal at the camera's location.
- Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength: In the Reolink app, go to
Device Settings > Networkand check the Wi-Fi signal strength indicator for the camera. If it shows two bars or fewer, the signal is weak. - Physical Barriers: Walls (especially brick or concrete), large metal appliances, and even dense foliage can significantly weaken Wi-Fi signals.
- Distance: The further the camera is from your Wi-Fi router, the weaker the signal will be.
- Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength: In the Reolink app, go to
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Test Your Viewing Device's Connection (Download Speed):
- Remote Viewing: If you are away from home and using your mobile data (4G/5G), a poor signal on your phone will cause buffering, no matter how good your home internet is. Try connecting your phone to a strong Wi-Fi network and see if the stream improves.
- Local Viewing: If you are at home on the same Wi-Fi network and still experiencing buffering, it points more strongly to the camera's connection being the issue.
## Step 2: Solutions for a Weak Camera Connection
If you've determined the camera has a poor Wi-Fi signal, here are the most effective solutions.
- Move Your Router: If possible, move your Wi-Fi router to a more central location in your home, closer to the camera.
- Use a Wi-Fi Extender: A Wi-Fi range extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system can be used to boost the signal in the area where your camera is installed. This is often the best and easiest solution for outdoor cameras.
- Reduce Interference: Ensure your router is not placed right next to other electronic devices like a microwave, cordless phone, or Bluetooth speaker.
- Use a Wired Connection: If your camera supports it (and it's practical), connecting the camera directly to your router with an Ethernet cable will provide the most stable and fastest connection possible, completely eliminating Wi-Fi as a variable.
## Step 3: Optimise Camera Settings
If you can't improve the network connection, you can adjust the camera's settings to demand less bandwidth.
- Lower the Bitrate: In the Reolink app, go to
Settings > Display > Quality. Here you can manually lower the "Bitrate." The bitrate is the amount of data the camera tries to send every second. Reducing the maximum bitrate can lead to a more stable stream on a slow connection, though it may slightly reduce image quality. - Lower the Resolution: You can also choose to lower the camera's resolution. For example, dropping from 4K to 1080p will significantly decrease bandwidth requirements.
By systematically diagnosing your network and applying these solutions, you can eliminate frustrating buffering and enjoy a smooth, reliable live view from your Reolink cameras.