Feeling Overwhelmed by Constant Somfy Alerts?
A security system should provide peace of mind, not a constant stream of annoying notifications. If your phone is buzzing every few minutes with alerts from your Somfy system, it's easy to start ignoring them altogether, which defeats the purpose of having a security system in the first place. Whether it's your pets, changing sunlight, or a tree swaying in the wind, an excessive number of alerts means your system's settings need fine-tuning.
This guide will help you regain control over your Somfy notifications. We will walk you through the common causes of too many alerts and provide practical, step-by-step solutions to make your security system both effective and unobtrusive.
Why Your Somfy System is Sending Too Many Notifications
Understanding the root cause is key to solving the problem. Excessive alerts usually stem from a few common issues related to sensitivity, placement, and environmental factors.
Highly Sensitive Motion Detection
The most frequent reason for too many alerts is that the motion sensitivity is set too high.
- Default Settings: On installation, the sensitivity might be at a default level that is not suitable for your specific environment.
- Small Triggers: Highly sensitive settings can cause the system to be triggered by small animals, insects flying close to the lens, or even dust particles.
Environmental Triggers
Your camera or sensor sees everything, and sometimes it misinterprets harmless environmental changes as threats.
- Moving Objects: Swaying trees, bushes, flags, or even washing on a line can be common culprits for triggering motion alerts, especially on windy days.
- Light and Shadow Changes: The sun moving behind clouds, shadows shifting throughout the day, or car headlights at night can create enough of a contrast change to set off a motion sensor.
- Heat Sources: For sensors that use passive infrared (PIR) technology, sudden changes in heat, such as from a heating vent or direct sunlight hitting the floor, can cause a false trigger.
Device Placement
Where you install your devices is critical for their accuracy.
- High-Traffic Areas: Placing a sensor or camera pointing towards a busy street, a neighbour's property, or a public footpath will inevitably lead to a high volume of alerts.
- Facing Windows: Pointing an indoor camera out of a window can cause it to be triggered by everything happening outside, while also causing issues with glare and reflection.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reduce Excessive Somfy Alerts
Follow these instructions to calibrate your Somfy system for accurate and meaningful notifications.
1. Adjust Motion Detection Sensitivity
This should be your first step. A small adjustment can often make a huge difference.
- Open the Somfy Protect App: Navigate to the "Settings" menu.
- Select Your Device: Go to "My devices" and choose the camera or sensor that is causing the problem.
- Find Sensitivity Settings: Look for the "Motion detection" or "Sensitivity" option.
- Lower the Setting: Reduce the sensitivity level by one increment. Wait and observe the number of alerts you receive. You may need to repeat this process until you find the perfect balance between security and silence.
2. Configure Motion Detection Zones
Tell your camera exactly where to look. This is one of the most powerful tools for eliminating false alerts.
- Access Device Settings: In the Somfy Protect app, go to the settings for the specific camera you want to adjust.
- Set Up Activity Zones: Find the "Detection zones" or "Activity zones" feature.
- Define the Area: Use the on-screen grid to draw one or more zones over the areas you want to monitor (e.g., your doorway or garden path). Exclude areas that cause false triggers, like swaying trees or a public pavement.
3. Optimise Device Placement
If software tweaks are not enough, consider the physical location of your devices.
- Angle Cameras Downwards: For outdoor cameras, ensure they are angled down to cover your property's entry points, avoiding public areas as much as possible.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat Sources: Position sensors away from radiators, air conditioning units, and windows that receive direct sunlight.
- Check for Obstructions: Make sure there are no moving objects, like curtains or plants, directly in front of your indoor cameras or sensors.
By carefully adjusting these settings, you can transform your Somfy security system from a source of constant interruption into a smart, reliable guardian for your home.