Why Is Your Scout Camera Missing Recordings?
A security camera that doesn't record is a significant gap in your home's protection. You rely on your Scout system to capture important events, whether it's a potential intruder or just a package delivery. When you discover that your camera has missed a crucial moment, it can be both frustrating and worrying.
Missed recordings can happen for various reasons, ranging from simple configuration errors to connectivity problems. This guide will help you systematically troubleshoot the issue and ensure your Scout camera is reliably capturing every important event.
First Steps: Checking Your Scout System's Status
Before you start changing settings, it's important to check the fundamentals of your Scout system.
1. Verify Your System's Mode
Scout's behaviour is heavily dependent on its current mode (e.g., Away, Home, Sleep, Disarmed). Recordings are often configured to happen only in specific modes.
- Check the App: Open your Scout app and confirm which mode your system is currently in.
- Review Mode Settings: Go into your settings and review how your camera is configured to behave in each mode. For example, you might have intentionally disabled recordings for indoor cameras when the system is in 'Home' mode for privacy. It's possible the system was in a mode where recording was turned off when the event occurred.
2. Examine Your Internet Connection
Your Scout camera needs a stable Wi-Fi connection to upload video clips to the cloud. An unstable connection can lead to failed uploads, which appear as missed recordings.
- Check Signal Strength: In the Scout app, check the signal strength for the camera in question. If it's weak, the camera may be too far from your Wi-Fi router.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your router from power for a full minute, then plug it back in. This can often resolve temporary connectivity glitches that might be affecting your camera.
Diving into Camera-Specific Settings
If your system mode and connection seem fine, the next step is to look at the settings for the individual camera.
### Adjust Motion Detection Sensitivity
The sensitivity setting determines how much motion is needed to trigger a recording.
- If You're Missing Events: The sensitivity might be set too low. The camera may not have registered the motion as significant enough to start recording. Try increasing the sensitivity level in the camera's settings.
- If You're Getting False Alarms: Conversely, if the sensitivity is too high, it can be triggered by irrelevant things like shadows or leaves blowing, filling up your timeline. While not directly a 'missed' recording, it can make finding real events difficult.
Find the 'Motion Sensitivity' setting for your camera in the app and adjust it to a level that suits its environment.
### Check Camera Power and Status
Ensure the camera is actually online and powered.
- Is it Powered On? Check that the camera is securely plugged into a working power outlet.
- Is it Online? Look at the device status in the Scout app. If the camera is showing as 'Offline', it cannot record. If it is offline, you will need to troubleshoot its power and Wi-Fi connection first.
Advanced Troubleshooting for Missed Recordings
If the problem persists, consider these more advanced factors.
Review Your Subscription Plan
Some security system features, including the length and storage of video recordings, can be tied to your subscription level.
- Check Your Plan's Features: Log in to your Scout account on their website and verify the details of your monitoring plan. Ensure that it includes cloud storage for video recordings and that your account is in good standing.
Reposition Your Camera
The physical placement of the camera is crucial for effective motion detection.
- Field of View: Make sure the area you want to monitor is fully within the camera's field of view, without any obstructions like walls or furniture.
- Avoid Glare: Don't point the camera directly at a light source or a window that gets bright sunlight, as this can 'blind' the camera and prevent it from detecting motion correctly.
- Angle: An overhead, slightly angled-down view is often best for capturing movement accurately.
By carefully reviewing your system's modes, camera settings, and physical environment, you can identify and fix the root cause of missed recordings, restoring your confidence in your Scout security system.