Reolink Live View Not Working? Here’s the Fix
A Reolink security camera provides peace of mind, but only when you can reliably access its live feed. If you're opening the Reolink app or client only to be met with a 'Connection failed' message, a black screen, or an endless loading wheel, it can be both frustrating and worrying.
The good news is that most live view and streaming issues are related to network connectivity and can be solved with some basic troubleshooting. This guide will take you through the most common solutions to get your Reolink live view back online.
Common Symptoms of Reolink Streaming Problems
- You receive a 'Connection failed' or 'Loading failed' error when trying to view the camera.
- The live stream buffers constantly or shows a spinning circle indefinitely.
- The screen is black, but you might still be able to hear audio.
- The camera shows as 'Offline' in your device list.
- The live view works perfectly when you are on your home Wi-Fi network, but fails when you try to connect remotely using mobile data (4G/5G).
How to Troubleshoot Your Reolink Live View
Let's systematically work through the potential causes and their solutions.
### 1. The Essential Reboot
Before anything else, reboot your equipment. This simple step resolves a surprisingly high number of tech issues by clearing temporary errors.
- Reboot the Camera: Disconnect the power cable from your Reolink camera. If it's a PoE (Power over Ethernet) camera, unplug the Ethernet cable. Wait for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Give the camera a few minutes to fully restart.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your main internet router from the wall socket. Wait for a minute, then plug it back in. It can take 5-10 minutes for your network to come back online fully.
After rebooting both devices, try accessing the live view again. If the problem persists, move to the next step.
### 2. Check Network and Camera Connections
Ensure all physical connections are secure and the camera is properly communicating with your network.
- Check Cables: If you have a wired camera, ensure the Ethernet cable is securely clicked into both the camera and the router/NVR port. Try a different Ethernet cable or port if possible.
- Check Wi-Fi Signal: For Wi-Fi cameras, a weak signal is a primary cause of streaming failure. In the Reolink app, go to Device Settings > Wi-Fi Settings to check the signal strength. If it's poor, you may need to move the camera closer to your router or use a Wi-Fi extender.
### 3. Switch Between Clear and Fluent Stream Modes
Reolink cameras offer different stream qualities to adapt to varying network speeds.
- Clear Mode: This is the high-definition stream. It provides the best quality but requires a fast, stable internet connection.
- Fluent Mode: This is a lower-resolution stream that uses much less data. It's designed for viewing over slower connections.
If you cannot get the 'Clear' stream to load, always try switching to 'Fluent'. If 'Fluent' works, it confirms the issue is with your internet bandwidth, which is very common when using mobile data.
### 4. Verify Remote Access Settings (UID)
For viewing your camera from outside your home network, Reolink primarily uses a UID (Unique ID) P2P service.
- Log into your camera's settings via the app or desktop client.
- Navigate to Network Settings > Advanced.
- Ensure the 'UID Enabled' checkbox is ticked. If this is disabled, remote viewing will not work.
### 5. For Advanced Users: Check Firewall and Ports
In some rare cases, router settings can block the connection.
- Firewall: Check your router's firewall settings to ensure it is not blocking outbound UDP traffic, which can interfere with the UID service.
- Port Forwarding: If you are connecting via an IP address instead of UID, ensure you have correctly forwarded the necessary ports (e.g., Media Port) in your router's settings. This is an advanced step and is not required for most users who rely on the UID.
By following these steps, from a simple reboot to checking stream quality and network settings, you can resolve almost any issue preventing you from accessing your Reolink live view.