Is Your Simplisafe Camera Lagging? Here’s How to Fix It
A delayed video feed from your security camera can be frustrating and defeats the purpose of real-time monitoring. If you're experiencing a significant lag between what's happening and what you see on your Simplisafe camera feed, you're in the right place. This guide will walk you through the most common causes of camera lag and provide practical steps to resolve the issue, ensuring your home security is as responsive as possible.
Why a Lag-Free Connection is Essential
Real-time video monitoring allows you to see events as they happen, giving you the crucial seconds needed to react, whether it's speaking to a delivery driver through two-way audio or assessing a potential security threat. A lagging feed can mean you miss the critical moment. Let's get your camera back to optimal performance.
## Step 1: Diagnose Your Internet Connection
The most common culprit behind video lag is a poor internet connection. Your camera needs a stable and sufficiently fast connection to upload video data to the cloud so you can view it.
### Check Your Upload Speed
Your home internet plan is often advertised by its download speed, but for a security camera, upload speed is what matters. This is the speed at which your camera can send data to the Simplisafe servers.
- Run a Speed Test: On a smartphone or computer connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your camera, search online for an "internet speed test" and run it.
- Analyse the Results: Simplisafe recommends a minimum upload speed of 2 Mbps per camera. If you have multiple cameras, you'll need more. If your upload speed is below this, your network is likely the cause of the lag.
- Contact Your Provider: If your speeds are consistently low, consider contacting your internet service provider (ISP) to discuss upgrading your plan.
### Assess Network Congestion
Is someone in your household streaming 4K video, gaming online, or downloading large files? All these activities consume significant bandwidth, leaving less available for your camera.
- Action: Try temporarily pausing these other activities and check your camera's live feed again. If the lag disappears, you know that network congestion is the issue. You may need a better internet plan to support all your household's devices.
## Step 2: Optimise Your Wi-Fi Signal
The physical distance and obstacles between your camera and your Wi-Fi router can severely impact signal strength, leading to a choppy or delayed video stream.
### Check Signal Strength
In the Simplisafe app, there should be an indicator of the camera's Wi-Fi signal strength. If it's weak or poor, you'll need to improve it.
### How to Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal
- Move the Router: If possible, move your router to a more central location in your home. Keep it out in the open, not inside a cabinet or surrounded by other electronic devices.
- Reduce Distance: Try to minimise the distance between the camera and the router. If the camera is located far away, the signal will be weaker.
- Eliminate Obstacles: Thick walls made of brick or concrete, large metal appliances (like refrigerators), and even water (like in an aquarium) can block Wi-Fi signals. Reposition your camera or router to create a clearer path.
- Consider a Wi-Fi Extender: If you cannot move your router or camera, a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system can help boost the signal to far-reaching areas of your home. This can be a very effective solution for stubborn connection issues.
## Step 3: Camera and App Troubleshooting
If your network seems fine, the issue might lie with the camera itself or the Simplisafe app.
### Reboot Everything
A classic but often effective solution.
- Reboot Your Camera: Unplug your Simplisafe camera from the power source, wait for about 60 seconds, and then plug it back in.
- Reboot Your Router: Do the same with your Wi-Fi router. This can clear up temporary glitches and re-establish a fresh connection.
### Update Firmware and App
Manufacturers regularly release updates to improve performance and fix bugs.
- Camera Firmware: Check in the Simplisafe app settings to see if there is a firmware update available for your camera.
- SimpliSafe App: Go to your smartphone's app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) and ensure you have the latest version of the Simplisafe app installed.
### Adjust Video Quality Settings
Some cameras allow you to adjust the video resolution. While higher quality is better, it requires more bandwidth.
- Action: Check your camera's settings in the app. If you can lower the video quality (e.g., from 1080p to 720p), this will reduce the amount of bandwidth it needs and can significantly decrease or eliminate lag.
By systematically working through these steps, you can identify the root cause of your Simplisafe camera lag and take the necessary actions to restore a smooth, real-time video feed.