Tend Camera Offline? How to Get It Back Online Quickly
When your Tend Secure camera goes offline, it can be worrying. The security of your home relies on a stable connection. The good news is that most of the time, the "Offline" status in the Tend app is caused by a handful of common, fixable issues related to power or your Wi-Fi network.
This troubleshooting guide, written in British English, will help you diagnose the problem and get your camera back online.
## Step 1: Check the Camera's Power and Status Light
Before diving into complex network issues, let's start with the camera itself.
- Is There Power? Check that the USB power cable is securely plugged into both the camera and the power adapter. Ensure the adapter is firmly seated in a working electrical socket. To be certain the socket is working, try plugging in another device, like a phone charger.
- Inspect the Cable: Look over the USB cable for any signs of visible damage, like kinks or frays, which could interrupt power.
- Observe the LED Light: The small LED status light on the front of your camera is your best diagnostic tool.
- No Light: The camera is not receiving power. Check the power source.
- Flashing Red Light: The camera has power but cannot connect to your Wi-Fi network. This is the most common "offline" issue.
- Flashing Blue Light: The camera is in setup/pairing mode.
- Solid Blue Light: The camera is connected and working properly.
## Step 2: Troubleshoot Your Wi-Fi Network
If the LED light is flashing red, the problem is almost certainly with the network connection.
### Perform a Full Power Cycle
This simple rebooting process resolves a huge number of connectivity problems.
- Unplug the Tend camera from its power source.
- Unplug your home's internet router/modem from the power socket.
- Wait for at least 60 seconds. This allows both devices to fully discharge and clear their temporary memory.
- Plug your router/modem back in first. Wait for 3-5 minutes for it to fully boot up and establish an internet connection (the status lights should become stable).
- Plug your Tend camera back in. Give it a few minutes to start up and attempt to reconnect to the now-stable Wi-Fi network.
### Check Your Wi-Fi Router and Settings
- Router Distance: Is your camera too far from your Wi-Fi router? Walls and floors can weaken the signal. Try temporarily moving the camera closer to the router. If it connects, you may need a Wi-Fi extender for reliable performance in its usual spot.
- 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz: Most Tend cameras, especially older models, can only connect to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band. If you have a dual-band router, ensure the 2.4 GHz band is enabled. Sometimes, giving the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands different names (SSIDs) in your router settings can help ensure the camera connects to the correct one.
- Recent Network Changes: Did you recently get a new router or change your Wi-Fi password? If so, your camera is trying to connect with old, incorrect credentials. You will need to reset the camera and set it up again with the new password.
## Step 3: Reset Your Tend Camera
If the power cycle and network checks didn't work, the final step is to perform a factory reset. This will erase the camera's settings, including its Wi-Fi configuration, and return it to its original state.
- Locate the Reset Button: On most Tend models, this is a small button labelled 'RST' or 'Reset', often located in a pinhole on the back or bottom of the camera. You will likely need a paperclip or a similar thin object to press it.
- Press and Hold: With the camera plugged in and powered on, press and hold the reset button for about 15-20 seconds.
- Watch for the LED Change: The LED light will typically change its pattern or colour to confirm the reset. The camera may also restart.
- Re-run the Setup: Once the camera has reset, it will likely start flashing its blue setup light. You now need to go into the Tend app, delete the offline camera from your device list, and then follow the instructions to add it as a new camera.
Following these steps should resolve the vast majority of "offline" issues with your Tend camera. If you are still unable to connect after a factory reset, there may be a hardware fault, and you should contact Tend support.