What to Do When Your Scout Camera Shows No Video
It's concerning when you open the Scout Alarm app to check on your home and are greeted by a black screen or an 'offline' message where your camera's video feed should be. Your Scout camera is a key part of your security setup, and a loss of video needs to be addressed quickly.
The good news is that this issue is almost always caused by a simple power or connectivity problem that you can solve yourself. This guide will walk you through the troubleshooting steps to get your Scout camera back online and streaming video.
Start with the Fundamentals: Power and Internet
Let's begin by checking the two most essential things your camera needs to operate.
1. Check the Camera's Power Supply
Your camera cannot stream video if it isn't receiving power.
- Secure Connections: Check that the USB power cable is securely plugged into both the back of the Scout camera and the power adapter in the wall outlet.
- Working Outlet: Ensure the wall outlet has power by plugging in another device, like a lamp, to test it.
- Check the Status Light: Look at the small LED indicator light on the camera. If the light is off, the camera is not receiving power. If it is on (e.g., solid blue), it has power, and you can proceed to the next steps.
2. Verify Your Home's Internet Connection
If the camera has power but isn't streaming, the problem is likely your network.
- Check Your Wi-Fi: Are other devices in your home, like your smartphone or computer, able to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi? If not, the problem is with your internet service provider or your router.
- Restart Your Router: The most effective first step for any network issue is to restart your router. Unplug it from the power outlet, wait for at least 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. It will take a few minutes to fully restart and re-establish the internet connection.
Camera and App Specific Troubleshooting
If the power is on and your internet is working, it's time to focus on the camera and the Scout app.
3. Power Cycle the Scout Camera
Just like restarting your router, rebooting the camera itself can clear up many temporary glitches.
- Unplug the Camera: Disconnect the power cable from the back of the Scout camera.
- Wait 60 Seconds: Leave it unplugged for a full minute to ensure it completely powers down.
- Plug It Back In: Reconnect the power cable. The camera will begin its boot-up sequence. Wait several minutes for its status light to become solid blue, indicating it has successfully reconnected to your Wi-Fi network.
4. Troubleshoot the Scout Alarm App
Sometimes the camera is working fine, but the app on your phone is having trouble displaying the stream.
- Restart the App: Completely close the Scout Alarm app on your smartphone and then reopen it. This can resolve minor display bugs.
- Check for Updates: Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and check if there is an update available for the Scout Alarm app. An outdated app can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
- Switch Connection: If you are on Wi-Fi on your phone, try switching to your mobile data, and vice-versa. This can help determine if the issue is related to the network your phone is on.
5. Check Camera's Proximity to the Router
Is your camera located far away from your Wi-Fi router? A weak signal can cause the video feed to drop out. If the camera is in an area with a poor signal (e.g., a basement or garage), you may need to move the router closer or install a Wi-Fi range extender for reliable streaming.
By following these steps, you should be able to identify the source of the problem and restore the video feed from your Scout camera.