TP-Link Camera Not Working? Your Troubleshooting Guide
Whether you own a TP-Link Tapo or a Kasa smart camera, it can be a real worry when it suddenly stops working. A camera that's offline, not recording, or failing to connect leaves your home's security compromised. Don't panic. Most issues can be resolved with some straightforward troubleshooting. This guide will walk you through the most common problems and solutions to get your TP-Link camera back online and working correctly.
First Step: Analyse the LED Light
The small LED light on the front of your camera is your most important diagnostic tool. Its colour and pattern tell you exactly what's going on.
- Solid Green: Everything is working correctly and the camera is connected to the Wi-Fi network.
- Blinking Green: The camera is attempting to connect to the Wi-Fi network.
- Solid Red: The camera is powered on but is not connected to the Wi-Fi. This is the most common state for a non-working camera.
- Blinking Red and Green: The camera is in setup mode and is ready to be connected to a network.
- No Light: The camera is not receiving power.
Troubleshooting Common Scenarios
Let's tackle the most frequent issues one by one, based on the camera's symptoms.
### Scenario 1: The Camera is Offline in the App (Solid Red Light)
This is almost always a network-related issue.
- Check Your Internet Connection: Is your home Wi-Fi working? Test it with another device, like your smartphone.
- Router Proximity: How far is the camera from your Wi-Fi router? A weak signal can cause the camera to disconnect. Try moving the camera closer to the router temporarily to see if it reconnects. If it does, you may need a Wi-Fi extender for a permanent solution.
- Power Cycle Everything: This is a classic IT fix for a reason.
- Unplug your camera from the power outlet.
- Unplug your router from the power outlet.
- Wait for 60 seconds.
- Plug the router back in and wait for it to fully restart (all its lights should be stable).
- Plug your camera back in. Give it a few minutes to boot up and reconnect.
- Check Wi-Fi Password: Have you recently changed your Wi-Fi password? If so, you will need to reset the camera and set it up again with the new password.
### Scenario 2: The Camera is Online But Not Recording Events
If the live stream works but no clips are being saved, the problem lies with your storage.
- For SD Card Users:
- Check the Card: Open the Tapo or Kasa app, go to the camera's settings, and find the "microSD Card" options. Ensure the "Loop Recording" option is enabled.
- Reformat the Card: The app should show the card's status. If it shows an error or is not recognised, try reformatting the SD card directly within the app. Warning: This will erase all existing footage on the card.
- Card Health: SD cards can fail over time. If reformatting doesn't work, try testing the camera with a different, known-good microSD card.
- For Cloud Subscribers (Tapo Care / Kasa Care):
- Check Subscription Status: Log into your TP-Link account and confirm that your cloud subscription is active and has not expired.
- Motion Detection Settings: In the camera's settings, double-check that motion detection is enabled, the sensitivity is set appropriately, and the recording schedule is active for the times you expect it to be recording.
### Scenario 3: The Camera Won't Connect During Setup
If you're setting up a new camera or re-adding an old one and it fails, try these steps:
- Use the 2.4GHz Network: TP-Link cameras can only connect to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. During setup, ensure your phone is connected to your router's 2.4GHz band, not the 5GHz band.
- Factory Reset: If all else fails, a factory reset will return the camera to its original settings. There is usually a small, recessed reset button on the camera. You'll need a paperclip to press and hold it for about 10-15 seconds until the LED light changes its pattern (often to blinking red and green). After the reset, you'll need to go through the entire setup process in the app again.
By following these structured steps, you can diagnose and resolve the vast majority of issues affecting your TP-Link camera, restoring your peace of mind.