Dealing With a Failed Tend Camera Firmware Update
A failed firmware update on your Tend camera can be alarming, especially when the device becomes unresponsive. These updates are vital for maintaining your camera's security and functionality. Fortunately, most update issues can be resolved with some straightforward troubleshooting.
This guide is here to help you diagnose the problem and get your Tend camera updated and working correctly. We'll cover the most common symptoms and provide a clear, step-by-step process to fix the issue.
Recognising the Signs of a Failed Update
If your Tend camera's firmware update didn't complete successfully, you'll likely notice one or more of the following signs:
- Stuck Progress Bar: The update progress in the Tend app remains stuck at a specific percentage for a very long time.
- Wi-Fi Disconnection: The camera disconnects from your network mid-update and fails to reconnect.
- Error Lights: You may see a solid red or a flashing red/blue light on the camera, which indicates an error state.
- 'Update Failed' Message: The Tend app explicitly shows a message indicating that the update was not successful.
- Unresponsive Camera: In some cases, the camera may become 'bricked'—it powers on but is otherwise completely unresponsive and does not connect to the app.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the Update
Follow these instructions carefully to resolve the firmware problem. It's often a simple connectivity issue that's causing the trouble.
1. Check Your Wi-Fi and Phone Connection
A stable connection is the most critical element for a successful firmware update. The camera needs to download the update file, and your phone needs to communicate with the camera.
- Strengthen the Signal: Move your camera closer to your Wi-Fi router during the update process. You can always move it back afterwards.
- Check Your Phone's Connection: Ensure your smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the camera and has a strong signal.
- Reboot Your Router: A classic fix for many network issues. Unplug your router for about a minute, then plug it back in. Wait for your network to come back online before trying the update again.
2. Power Cycle the Camera Correctly
Restarting the camera can clear any temporary software glitches that may be preventing the update.
- Unplug the Power: Disconnect the micro USB power cable from the back of the Tend camera.
- Wait for 30 Seconds: Leave the camera without power for at least 30 seconds to ensure it fully powers down.
- Reconnect Power: Plug the power cable back in firmly.
- Wait for Reconnection: Give the camera a few minutes to boot up and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network. You should see it appear as 'Online' in the Tend app.
- Retry the Update: Once it's back online, navigate to the camera settings and try initiating the firmware update again.
3. Reinstall the Tend App
Sometimes the issue can be with the app on your phone rather than the camera itself.
- Delete the App: Uninstall the Tend app from your smartphone.
- Reboot Your Phone: Restart your phone to clear its cache.
- Reinstall the App: Go to your phone's app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) and download the latest version of the Tend app.
- Log In and Try Again: Log in to your account and attempt the firmware update once more.
4. Perform a Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If your camera is still unresponsive or the update continues to fail, a factory reset is the final troubleshooting step. Warning: This will erase all your custom settings, and you will need to set the camera up again.
- Find the Reset Button: The reset button is usually a small hole located on the back or bottom of the camera.
- Press and Hold: Use a paperclip or SIM ejector tool to press and hold the reset button for about 15 seconds while the camera is powered on.
- Wait for the Reset: The camera's LED light will typically flash to confirm the reset is happening. It will then reboot.
- Set Up Again: Follow the on-screen instructions in the Tend app to add your camera back to your account.
- Update Now: Once the camera is set up, the app will likely prompt you to perform the firmware update. This fresh attempt has a high chance of success.
If the problem persists after a factory reset, it may indicate a hardware issue, and you should reach out to Tend customer support for further assistance.