Tapo Pet Detection Not Working? Here's How to Fix It.
One of the best features of modern smart cameras like Tapo is the ability to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify specific types of motion. Pet Detection is a fantastic tool for pet owners, allowing you to get specific alerts when your furry friends are active, rather than generic motion alerts for every shadow or passing car.
However, when this feature doesn't work as expected—either missing your pet's activity entirely or misidentifying them—it can be very frustrating. This guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve the most common issues with Tapo's Pet Detection feature.
Essential First Steps for Troubleshooting
Let's start with the most common and easily fixable reasons why Pet Detection might not be working.
1. Ensure the Feature is Enabled
It might seem obvious, but it's easy to overlook. The main motion detection can be active while the specific AI detection for pets is turned off.
- Open the Tapo App: Select the camera you want to configure.
- Go to Camera Settings: Tap the gear icon in the top right corner.
- Navigate to 'Detection & Alerts': In this menu, you will see toggles for different types of detection.
- Verify 'Pet Detection' is On: Make sure the switch next to 'Pet Detection' is enabled (usually blue or green). If it's off, the camera will only send standard motion alerts.
2. Update Your App and Camera Firmware
The AI models used for detection are constantly being improved. Running outdated software is a common cause of performance issues.
- Update the Tapo App: Visit your phone's app store (Google Play or Apple App Store) and check if there is an update available for the Tapo app.
- Update Camera Firmware: In the camera's settings within the app, find the 'Device Info' or 'Firmware Update' section. The app will tell you if a newer version of the camera's software is available. Always install updates for the best performance.
Optimising Your Camera for Accurate Detection
If your settings are correct, the problem may be related to your camera's environment or placement.
### Adjust the Motion Sensitivity
The general motion sensitivity setting can impact how well the AI detection functions.
- Find the Setting: This is located in the 'Detection & Alerts' menu.
- Make Adjustments: If your camera is missing your pet, the sensitivity might be too low. Try increasing it. If you're getting lots of false alerts, try decreasing it. You may need to experiment to find the right balance for the room.
### Improve Camera Placement and Lighting
The AI needs a clear view to work effectively.
- Positioning: Place the camera so it has an unobstructed view of the areas where your pet spends the most time. Avoid placing it behind furniture or plants. An elevated position, angled slightly downwards, often provides the best perspective.
- Lighting: Good lighting is crucial for accurate detection. In low-light conditions, the camera may struggle to identify a pet correctly. If you need to monitor your pet at night, ensure the camera's night vision is enabled and working correctly. Avoid pointing the camera directly at bright lights or windows, as this can create silhouettes and glare.
Advanced Considerations
If you're still having trouble, consider these points.
Understand Feature Limitations
- Distance and Size: The AI works best when the pet is a reasonable size in the frame. If your pet is very far away, the camera may not be able to identify it as an animal.
- Unusual Pets: The detection is primarily trained on common pets like cats and dogs. While it may work for other animals, its accuracy is not guaranteed for rabbits, ferrets, or reptiles.
Reset and Reconfigure
As a final resort, you can try resetting the camera to its factory settings. This will erase all your custom configurations, but it can also clear up persistent software glitches.
- How to Reset: Find the physical reset button on your camera. Press and hold it for 10-15 seconds until the LED light indicates it is resetting. You will then need to go through the initial setup process in the Tapo app again.
By methodically checking your settings and optimising your camera's environment, you can significantly improve the reliability of the Tapo Pet Detection feature and enjoy getting alerts that are specifically for your beloved pets.