Is Wyze Vehicle Detection Driving You Crazy?
Wyze's AI-powered vehicle detection is a fantastic feature for monitoring your driveway and property, helping you distinguish between important events and general motion. However, when it fails to work reliably—either missing cars completely or sending false alerts—it can be more of a nuisance than a help.
This guide will walk you through the essential troubleshooting steps to get your Wyze camera's vehicle detection working accurately.
## Prerequisite: A Cam Plus Subscription
This is the most fundamental requirement. Vehicle detection is a premium feature. It is not available with the basic free service. You must have an active Cam Plus, Cam Plus Pro, or Cam Protect subscription assigned to the specific camera you are troubleshooting.
How to check:
- Open the Wyze app.
- Tap on the "Services" tab at the bottom.
- Review your active subscriptions and ensure the correct camera is listed under the service.
If you don't have a subscription, the camera will only be able to notify you of general motion.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Vehicle Detection
Once you've confirmed your subscription is active, let's fine-tune the settings for better accuracy.
### Step 1: Enable the Correct Smart Detection Setting
Just because you have a subscription doesn't mean the feature is turned on. You need to explicitly tell the camera to look for vehicles.
- In the Wyze app, go to your camera's live stream.
- Tap the Settings icon (the gear) in the top right.
- Tap on "Event Recording".
- Tap on "Smart Detection".
- Make sure the toggle next to "Vehicle" is switched on.
If this setting is off, the AI will not analyse the footage for cars, and you will not receive vehicle-specific notifications.
### Step 2: Optimise Your Detection Zone
The detection zone is a grid that tells your camera where it should pay attention to motion. If a vehicle doesn't move within this zone, it won't trigger a recording.
- Go to Settings > Detection Settings.
- Tap on "Detection Zone".
- Ensure the zone is active and that the grid highlights the entire area where vehicles might appear or pass through. This includes your full driveway, the pavement, or the street in front of your house. A zone that is too small is a common reason for missed events.
### Step 3: Evaluate Camera Placement and Angle
The performance of the AI is heavily influenced by what the camera can see.
- Clear Line of Sight: The camera needs an unobstructed view. Trees, bushes, or other objects can block parts of the vehicle, preventing the AI from recognising it.
- Distance and Size: If a vehicle is too far away, it will appear too small in the frame for the AI to analyse effectively. The ideal placement is one where the vehicle takes up a reasonable portion of the screen.
- Angle: A straight-on view (from the front, back, or side) is much more reliable than a top-down or extreme-angle view.
- Lighting: At night, ensure the area is well-lit, either by streetlights or the camera's own night vision. Strong glare or deep shadows can interfere with detection.
### Step 4: Keep Everything Updated
Wyze is constantly improving its AI detection algorithms. Make sure you are running the latest software for the best performance.
- Update Camera Firmware: In the camera's settings, go to Device Info > Firmware Version and install any available updates.
- Update the Wyze App: Check the App Store or Google Play for the latest version of the Wyze app.
By ensuring you have an active subscription and methodically optimising your settings and camera placement, you can significantly improve the reliability of Wyze's vehicle detection feature.