Troubleshooting: When You Can't Add a Camera to Scout Alarm
Adding a Scout camera to your security system should be a simple process, but occasionally you may encounter issues where the camera fails to pair with your Scout Hub. This guide will provide you with the necessary steps to diagnose and resolve camera setup failures.
### Preliminary Checks: Setting the Stage for Success
Before you even begin the pairing process in the app, ensure the following conditions are met. These basics are often the cause of the problem.
- Scout Hub is Online: Your Scout Hub is the brain of the system. Check that it is powered on and has a stable internet connection. If the Hub is offline, it cannot communicate with or add any new devices.
- Power to the Camera: Ensure the Scout camera is plugged into a working power outlet using the provided adapter and cable. You should see a status light on the camera to indicate it is receiving power.
- Correct Wi-Fi Network: This is a critical step. Scout cameras, like most smart home devices, must be set up on a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. They are not compatible with 5GHz networks for the initial pairing. Make sure your smartphone is connected to the 2.4GHz band of your home's Wi-Fi network before you start.
- Proximity: For the initial setup, place the camera, your smartphone, and the Scout Hub in the same room to ensure strong signal strength between all three components.
## The Adding Process: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
If you've confirmed the preliminary checks, proceed with the setup process in the Scout Alarm app, paying close attention to these potential failure points.
#### Step 1: Initiating the Setup in the App
In the Scout app, you'll navigate to add a new device and select the camera. The app will prompt you to scan a QR code.
- Problem: QR Code Not Scanning
- Solution: Ensure the camera lens on your smartphone is clean. Provide adequate lighting on the QR code, which is typically on the back or bottom of the Scout camera. If it still won't scan, there should be an option to enter the camera's serial number manually.
#### Step 2: Connecting the Camera to Wi-Fi
After scanning the code, the app will attempt to pass your phone's current Wi-Fi credentials to the camera.
- Problem: Camera Fails to Connect to Wi-Fi
- Solution 1: Password Check: You may be prompted to confirm your Wi-Fi password. Double- and triple-check that you have entered it correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive.
- Solution 2: Network Type: As mentioned, re-verify your phone is on the 2.4GHz network. If your router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands under the same network name (SSID), you may need to temporarily disable the 5GHz band in your router's settings to force the connection.
#### Step 3: Camera Discovery by the Hub
Once the camera is on the Wi-Fi network, the Scout Hub needs to discover it and add it to your system.
- Problem: Hub Cannot Find the Camera
- Solution 1: App Permissions: The Scout Alarm app needs 'Local Network' or 'Nearby Device' permissions to scan for the camera. Go into your phone's settings and ensure these permissions are granted for the app.
- Solution 2: Network Isolation: Some guest networks or routers with high-security settings have a feature called 'AP Isolation' or 'Client Isolation'. This prevents devices on the same network from seeing each other. Ensure this feature is turned off in your router's settings.
### The Last Resort: A Factory Reset
If you have tried all the above steps and the camera still won't add, you can perform a factory reset on the camera itself.
- How to Reset: Locate the small, recessed reset button on the camera. With the camera powered on, use a paperclip or SIM tool to press and hold this button for 15-20 seconds. The camera's status light should change, and it may make a sound to indicate it has been reset.
- After Resetting: Once the camera has rebooted, it will be in its original factory state. You must then start the entire 'Add Device' process from the beginning within the Scout Alarm app.