How to Fix a Reolink Camera That Keeps Freezing
A Reolink security camera is an excellent tool for monitoring your property, but its effectiveness is compromised when the video feed constantly freezes. A lagging or stuck video stream can be incredibly frustrating, whether you're trying to watch a live feed or review important recorded footage. The good news is that this common problem is usually caused by a handful of issues that you can resolve yourself.
This comprehensive guide will help you diagnose why your Reolink camera is freezing and provide you with clear, step-by-step instructions to get it running smoothly again.
Common Causes for Reolink Video Freezing
Let's break down the most likely culprits behind a stuttering video feed.
Network and Wi-Fi Issues
This is the number one reason for video freezing. Your Reolink camera needs a strong and stable network connection to stream video. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak due to distance from the router, or if there is interference from other devices or thick walls, the connection will be unstable, causing the video to freeze. Using a long or damaged Ethernet cable for a PoE camera can also cause this issue.
Mainstream vs. Fluent Settings
Reolink cameras offer different stream qualities. The "Clear" (or Mainstream) setting provides the highest resolution but requires a lot of bandwidth. The "Fluent" (or Substream) setting is a lower resolution but is much less demanding on your network. If your network can't handle the "Clear" stream, it will freeze.
Outdated Firmware
Reolink frequently releases firmware updates to fix bugs and improve camera performance. An older firmware version might have glitches that have been resolved in a newer release.
microSD Card or NVR Problems
If the freezing happens during playback of recorded footage, the issue could be with the storage medium. A faulty or low-quality microSD card or a problem with the hard drive in your Reolink NVR can lead to corrupted or choppy recordings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing a Freezing Reolink Camera
Follow these steps in order to isolate and fix the problem.
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Switch to the Fluent Stream: The very first thing to try is switching the video quality from "Clear" to "Fluent" in your Reolink app or client. If the video becomes smooth, it's a clear indication that the problem is related to network bandwidth. You can then focus on improving your network.
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Power Cycle Everything:
- Camera: Unplug your Reolink camera from its power source (power adapter or Ethernet cable for PoE). Wait for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
- Router: Unplug your Wi-Fi router from the wall. Wait a minute, then plug it back in. This simple step can resolve many network-related glitches.
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Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal:
- If using Wi-Fi, try moving the camera closer to your router.
- Minimise obstructions between the camera and router.
- Consider upgrading your router or installing a Wi-Fi mesh system or extender for better coverage.
- For Reolink Duo or other dual-lens cameras, a strong Wi-Fi connection is even more critical.
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Check Your Cables: If you have a PoE camera, ensure the Ethernet cable is not damaged and is securely connected. Try using a different, shorter Ethernet cable to see if the problem resolves.
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Update Camera Firmware:
- Open the Reolink app and go to "Device Settings".
- Find the "Device Info" or "System" section and check for a new firmware version.
- Follow the prompts to update the firmware if a new version is available.
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Check Your Storage (for playback issues):
- If the freezing only occurs on recorded videos, the issue might be your microSD card. Try removing the card and watching the live feed.
- If possible, try a different, high-quality microSD card (Class 10 or higher is recommended).
- If using an NVR, check the health status of the hard drive in the NVR's system settings.
By systematically working through these solutions, you can identify the root cause of the freezing and restore the reliable, high-quality video feed you expect from your Reolink camera.