How to Fix SimpliSafe's Vehicle Detection Not Working
The vehicle detection feature on SimpliSafe cameras is a powerful tool designed to provide you with more relevant notifications, distinguishing between general motion and the specific presence of a car. When it fails to work, you might either get no alerts at all for arriving vehicles or be flooded with generic 'motion' alerts. This guide will help you troubleshoot the common reasons for vehicle detection failure and get your smart alerts working as intended.
The feature relies on a combination of your subscription plan, in-app settings, and camera placement. A problem in any of these areas can prevent it from functioning correctly.
## Step 1: Verify Your Subscription Plan
Advanced detection features like distinguishing between people, pets, and vehicles are not available on all plans. This is the first and most important thing to check.
- Check Your Plan: Log in to your SimpliSafe account and confirm that you are subscribed to a plan that includes 'Advanced AI Detection' or 'Smart Person and Vehicle Detection'. Typically, this is included in the Interactive Monitoring or Self-Monitoring with Camera Recordings plans.
- No Subscription: If you do not have a qualifying subscription, the camera will only be able to function as a basic motion detector, and the specific vehicle detection option will be unavailable or inactive.
## Step 2: Check Your Camera's Motion Settings
Even with the right plan, you need to enable the feature within the camera's specific settings in the SimpliSafe app.
- Select Your Camera: From the app menu, navigate to 'Cameras', and select the settings gear icon for the camera in question.
- Go to Motion Detection: Tap on the 'Motion Detection' settings.
- Enable Smart Detection: Ensure that motion detection is turned on. You should see options for the type of motion to detect. Make sure you have selected the option for 'People and Vehicles' or similar, rather than 'All Motion'. If you select 'All Motion', you will not get specific vehicle alerts.
- Adjust Sensitivity: While you're here, check the motion sensitivity. If it is set too low, the camera may not be triggered by vehicles, especially if they are at a distance. Try increasing it to a medium or high setting.
## Step 3: Optimise Camera Placement and Motion Zones
The camera's physical position and the digital zones you have set up play a huge role in its ability to see and identify a vehicle correctly.
### Camera Positioning
- Clear Line of Sight: The camera must have an unobstructed view of the area where you expect to detect vehicles, such as your driveway or the street. Branches, walls, or other objects can block the view.
- Angle and Distance: The ideal position is looking down at the area from a height of 8-10 feet. If the camera is too far away or at a very sharp angle, the vehicle's shape might be too distorted for the AI to recognise it reliably.
- Lighting: At night, the camera relies on its infrared (IR) night vision. Ensure there are no bright security lights or reflective surfaces shining directly into the camera's lens, as this can blind it and prevent detection.
### Motion Activity Zones
- Review Your Zones: In the camera's motion settings, edit your activity zones. Make sure the area where vehicles travel or park is included within an active zone. It's easy to accidentally draw a zone that excludes a critical part of your driveway.
## Step 4: Reboot and Update
If all your settings appear correct, a simple reboot can often resolve temporary glitches.
- Reboot the Camera: Power cycle the camera. For outdoor cameras, this may involve removing and re-inserting the battery pack. For indoor cameras, unplug the power cord for 30 seconds and then plug it back in.
- Check for Updates: Ensure your SimpliSafe app and the camera's firmware are up to date. Manufacturers release updates to improve performance and fix bugs, which can include improvements to the AI detection algorithms.
By confirming your subscription, correctly configuring the motion settings, and optimising the camera's view, you can solve most issues with vehicle detection and ensure you receive the smart, specific alerts you need.