Is Your Wyze Camera Failing to Record to the Cloud?
Discovering that your Wyze camera hasn't been saving crucial footage to the cloud can be frustrating. Whether you're using the free 12-second event recording or have a Cam Plus subscription, these storage features are vital for security. This guide will walk you through the common causes of Wyze cloud storage issues and provide clear, step-by-step solutions to get your camera recording properly again.
## Understanding Wyze Cloud Storage
Before diving into troubleshooting, it's important to understand how Wyze's cloud storage works. Wyze offers two main types:
- Basic Event Recording: This free service records a 12-second video clip when motion or sound is detected. These clips are stored in the cloud for 14 days. There is a five-minute "cooldown" period between recordings.
- Cam Plus Subscription: This paid service offers back-to-back recording with no cooldown period and stores full-length event videos in the cloud. It also unlocks additional features like specific AI detection (Person, Package, Vehicle).
Most storage problems stem from issues with your subscription, network connection, or camera settings.
## Step 1: Verify Your Wyze Cam Plus Subscription
If you have a Cam Plus subscription, the first step is to ensure it's active and correctly assigned to your camera.
- Open the Wyze app.
- Navigate to the Account tab in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on Services.
- Select Cam Plus.
- You will see a list of your cameras. Ensure that the toggle next to the problematic camera is switched on. It's a common mistake to have an active subscription but forget to assign it to a specific device.
If the subscription is correctly assigned, try un-assigning and then re-assigning it to refresh the connection.
## Step 2: Check Your Camera's Network Connection
A stable Wi-Fi connection is essential for uploading video clips to the cloud. A weak or intermittent signal can cause uploads to fail.
- Check Signal Strength: In the Wyze app, go to the camera's live stream, tap the settings gear icon, and go to Device Info. You will see a Wi-Fi Signal Strength indicator. If it has only one or two bars, the signal is weak.
- Improve Your Signal:
- Move your camera closer to your Wi-Fi router.
- Remove any potential obstructions, such as thick concrete walls, large metal objects, or heavy appliances.
- If moving the camera isn't an option, consider using a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal in that area.
- Reboot Your Router: Sometimes the issue is with your home network. Unplug your router from power for 60 seconds and then plug it back in. Wait for it to fully restart before checking if the camera is recording again.
## Step 3: Review In-App Camera Settings
Incorrect settings within the Wyze app can prevent cloud recordings, even if everything else is working perfectly.
- Open the Wyze app and select the camera in question.
- Tap the settings gear icon > Event Recording.
- Ensure that Detects Motion is toggled on. If you use sound detection, ensure Detects Sound is also on.
- Under Smart Detections, make sure the notifications you want (e.g., Person, Package) are enabled.
- Go back to the main settings page and select Notifications. Ensure notifications are turned on for the camera and that you haven't set a schedule that might be preventing them.
## Step 4: Power Cycle and Update Firmware
A simple reboot can often resolve temporary glitches. If that fails, ensuring your firmware is up to date is a critical step.
- Power Cycle: Unplug the Wyze camera from its power source. Wait for at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in. Give it a few minutes to reconnect to your network and then test it.
- Update Firmware: Outdated firmware can cause compatibility issues. In the Wyze app, go to Account > Firmware Upgrade. If an update is available for your camera, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
By systematically working through these steps, you can identify and resolve the vast majority of Wyze cloud storage issues. Regular checks of your subscription status and network health will help ensure your security footage is always there when you need it.