Receiving Swann Security Alerts Late? Here’s What to Do
There's nothing more crucial for a security system than receiving timely notifications. When you rely on your Swann cameras to alert you to potential intruders, deliveries, or other important events, a delay of even a few seconds can make all the difference. If you're finding that your Swann notifications are arriving long after the event has occurred, you're not alone. This guide is designed to walk you through the most common causes of notification delays and provide you with clear, actionable steps to resolve them, ensuring your security system works as it should.
This is a common issue that can often be resolved by troubleshooting your network, app settings, or mobile device. Let's get your alerts back on track.
## Check Your Network Connection
The foundation of your Swann camera's performance is your home network. A weak or congested Wi-Fi connection is one of the most frequent culprits behind delayed notifications. The camera needs a strong, stable connection to upload video footage and send an alert signal to the Swann servers, which then push it to your phone.
### Test Your Wi-Fi Speed and Strength
First, you need to assess the quality of the Wi-Fi signal right where your camera is installed.
- Stand next to your camera with your smartphone.
- Run a speed test using a reliable app or website. Pay attention to the upload speed. For reliable performance, most Swann cameras require an upload speed of at least 2 Mbps per camera.
- Check the signal strength. If your phone shows only one or two bars of Wi-Fi, the signal is likely too weak for the camera to maintain a stable connection, leading to delays.
What to do about a weak signal:
- Move your router closer to the camera if possible.
- Install a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system. These devices are designed to boost the signal and eliminate dead zones in your home.
- Reduce interference. Walls, especially those made of brick or concrete, and other electronic devices (like microwaves or cordless phones) can interfere with the signal.
### Reduce Network Congestion
Even with a strong signal, your network can be too busy. If multiple devices are streaming 4K video, gaming online, and downloading large files simultaneously, your camera might struggle to get the bandwidth it needs. Try to reduce other network activities to see if notification speeds improve.
## Optimise Swann App Settings
The settings within the Swann Security app itself play a vital role in how and when you receive notifications. Incorrect configurations can easily lead to delays or missed alerts.
### Check Notification Settings in the App
Dive into the app to make sure everything is configured for speed.
- Open the Swann Security app.
- Go to the Menu and select Notification Settings.
- Ensure that Push Notifications are enabled for the specific cameras you want to receive alerts from.
- Check the Motion Detection or PIR settings for that camera. Make sure the alert type you want (e.g., Motion) is toggled on.
### Adjust Motion Detection Sensitivity
The sensitivity level determines how much movement is required to trigger an alert. If the sensitivity is too low, the camera might wait for more significant movement before sending an alert, causing a perceived delay.
- Navigate to your camera's settings within the app.
- Find the Motion Detection settings.
- Try increasing the sensitivity level slightly and test the results. Be careful not to set it too high, as this can lead to an excessive number of false alerts from things like moving leaves or shadows.
## Review Your Mobile Device Settings
Sometimes, the problem isn't with the camera or the network, but with your smartphone's settings. Modern operating systems use various methods to conserve battery life, which can inadvertently interfere with app notifications.
### Disable Battery Optimisation for the Swann App
Both Android and iOS have battery-saving features that can prevent apps from running in the background. This is a major cause of delayed notifications.
- For Android users: Go to Settings > Apps > Swann Security > Battery. Select "Unrestricted" or "Don't Optimise". The exact wording can vary depending on your phone's manufacturer.
- For iOS users: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and ensure it is turned ON for the Swann Security app.
### Check "Do Not Disturb" and Focus Modes
Ensure that the Swann Security app has been granted permission to bypass any "Do Not Disturb," "Focus," or "Silent" modes you might have active. You can usually manage these permissions in your phone's notification settings, allowing specific apps to send "time-sensitive" or "critical" alerts even when other notifications are silenced.
By systematically working through these steps, you can identify and resolve the root cause of your Swann notification delays. A responsive security system is a reliable one, and with a few adjustments, you can ensure you're always in the know, right when it happens.