Scout Alarm Camera Not Recording? Here's How to Fix It
The Scout Alarm camera is a vital part of your security setup, providing visual verification of what's happening in your home. However, if you find that your camera is online and streaming live video, but failing to record any clips when motion occurs, you're missing out on its most important feature.
This guide is designed for UK users to help you troubleshoot the common reasons why your Scout camera might not be recording and how to configure it correctly.
## The Core Reasons for Recording Failure
For a Scout camera, recording issues almost always boil down to one of three things:
- Subscription Plan: Your monitoring plan may not include cloud storage for video clips.
- Mode Settings: The camera is not configured to record in the system's current mode (e.g., 'Home' or 'Away').
- Motion Detection Settings: The sensitivity is too low, or the camera is not correctly set up to detect motion.
## Step 1: Verify Your Scout Subscription
The first and most critical check is your subscription level. Basic Scout plans may not include cloud storage for video clips, which is essential for recording.
- How to Check: Log in to your account on the main Scout Alarm website (not the app).
- Navigate to Your Plan: Find the section detailing your current monitoring plan.
- Confirm Video Storage: Ensure that your plan explicitly lists 'Cloud Storage', 'Video Clips', or a similar feature.
If your plan doesn't include cloud storage, the camera will only be available for live streaming. You will need to upgrade your plan to enable recording.
## Step 2: Configure Your 'Modes' Correctly
Scout's power lies in its customisable modes. You decide what each sensor and camera does in different situations (e.g., when you're asleep, away, or at home). It's very common to have the camera set to record in 'Away' mode but not in 'Home' mode.
- Open the Scout App: Navigate to the main dashboard.
- Go to 'Modes': Tap on the 'Modes' icon, which looks like a house with a shield.
- Select a Mode to Edit: Choose the mode where you want recording to happen, for example, 'Away Mode'.
- Find Your Camera: Scroll down the list of your devices until you find the camera in question.
- Set the Action: Next to the camera's name, you will see its assigned action for that mode. It might be set to 'Do Nothing' or 'Stream Only'. Tap on this action.
- Choose 'Record a clip': Select this option to ensure that when the system is in this mode, the camera will record a video clip upon detecting motion.
- Save and Repeat: Save your changes and repeat this process for any other modes where you want the camera to record.
## Step 3: Adjust Motion Detection Settings
If your subscription and mode settings are correct, the issue may be with the motion detection sensitivity itself.
- Navigate to Device Settings: From the app's main menu, go to your list of devices and select the camera you want to adjust.
- Find Motion Settings: Look for 'Motion Detection' or a similar option.
- Adjust Sensitivity: You will see a sensitivity slider, often ranging from low to high. If the sensitivity is set too low, it may not pick up movement, especially if it's far away or subtle. Try increasing the sensitivity to a medium or high level.
- Consider Placement: Scout cameras detect motion by analysing changes in pixels in their field of view. Ensure the camera is aimed at a high-traffic area where movement is expected. Avoid pointing it at a blank wall or an area with very little activity.
## Final Checks
- Camera is Online: Ensure the camera has a stable Wi-Fi connection and is showing as 'Online' in the app. No recording can happen if the device is offline.
- Reboot the Camera: If all settings appear correct, try power cycling the camera. Unplug it from its power source, wait for 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This can resolve any temporary software glitches.
By methodically checking your subscription, mode configurations, and motion settings, you can easily diagnose and fix the problem, ensuring your Scout camera records exactly when you need it to.