SimpliSafe Camera Not Recording? Here's the Fix
Your SimpliSafe security system is designed to provide peace of mind, and a key part of that is the ability to record and review footage from your cameras. When you find that your camera has failed to record—whether it's a motion event or an alarm trigger—it creates a serious gap in your security.
This troubleshooting guide will walk you through the common reasons why a SimpliSafe camera fails to record and provide you with clear, actionable steps to resolve the issue. In most cases, the problem is related to connectivity or account settings, which can be fixed quickly.
Top Reasons for SimpliSafe Recording Failures
Understanding the cause is the first step to finding a solution. Here’s why your camera might not be recording:
- Subscription Plan: The most common reason is an incompatible or lapsed subscription. SimpliSafe requires a specific monitoring plan (such as the Interactive plan) to enable camera recording. The basic plan does not include this feature.
- Poor Wi-Fi Connection: The camera needs a stable internet connection to upload video clips to the SimpliSafe cloud. If the Wi-Fi signal is weak or intermittent, the upload will fail, and no recording will be saved.
- Incorrect Camera Settings: The settings within the SimpliSafe app might be configured incorrectly. For example, the camera could be in 'Off' or 'Home' mode with recording disabled, or motion detection might be turned off entirely.
- Privacy Shutter is Closed: The physical privacy shutter on the SimpliCam might be closed, which prevents it from seeing or recording anything.
- Power Issues: The camera may not be receiving consistent power, causing it to go offline and miss events.
How to Get Your SimpliSafe Camera Recording Again
Let's work through these potential issues step-by-step.
1. Check Your Subscription Plan
This is the most crucial step. You must have a plan that supports camera recording.
- Log in to Your Account: Open the SimpliSafe app or log in on their website.
- Navigate to 'Monitoring': Check the details of your current subscription plan.
- Verify Recording Feature: Ensure your plan includes "Unlimited Camera Recording." If it doesn't, you will need to upgrade your plan to enable this feature. No amount of troubleshooting will work if your plan doesn't support it.
2. Troubleshoot Your Wi-Fi Connection
A strong, stable connection is non-negotiable for cloud recording.
- Check Signal Strength: Look at the camera's status in the app. If it shows as 'Offline' or has a weak signal, you've likely found the problem.
- Move Your Router Closer: Try to decrease the physical distance between the camera and your Wi-Fi router. Walls, floors, and large appliances can block the signal.
- Reboot Your Equipment: Unplug both your camera and your Wi-Fi router from power. Wait for 60 seconds before plugging them back in. This simple action can resolve many temporary network glitches.
- Check Upload Speed: Run an internet speed test from a device connected to the same Wi-Fi network. SimpliSafe cameras require a minimum upload speed of 2 Mbps per camera. If your upload speed is lower, contact your internet service provider.
3. Review Your Camera's Settings
The problem might be a simple toggle switch in the app.
- Open the SimpliSafe App: Select 'Cameras' from the menu.
- Select the Correct Camera: Tap the gear icon for the camera that is having issues.
- Check Motion Detection: Ensure that 'Motion Detection' is toggled ON.
- Adjust Sensitivity: If motion detection is on but not triggering, try setting the sensitivity to 'High' for testing purposes.
- Check System Status: Make sure your main SimpliSafe system is in 'Away' or 'Home' mode, and that camera recording is enabled for that specific mode in your system settings.
4. Check the Physical Camera
Finally, let's look at the hardware itself.
- Open the Privacy Shutter: For the indoor SimpliCam, ensure the physical privacy shutter is open. When closed, the camera is off and will not record. You can configure it to open or close automatically based on the system's armed state.
- Verify Power: Make sure the camera is plugged into a working power outlet and that the power cable is securely connected to the camera. A small status light should be visible on the device.
By methodically checking your subscription, connection, and settings, you can resolve the vast majority of recording issues and ensure your SimpliSafe camera is ready to capture what matters most.