How to Fix a Yale Camera That Keeps Going Offline
It's a frustrating experience when you check your Yale View app only to find that your security camera is offline. An offline camera means your property isn't being monitored, and you can't access live feeds or recordings. This issue is almost always related to the camera's connection to your Wi-Fi network.
This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process to help you diagnose the problem and get your Yale camera back online and working reliably.
## Key Reasons Yale Cameras Lose Connection
Understanding the potential causes will help you quickly narrow down the solution. The most common culprits are:
- Poor Wi-Fi Signal: The camera is too far from your router.
- Network Instability: Your router needs to be restarted.
- Power Issues: The camera isn't receiving consistent power.
- Wi-Fi Band Issues: Your router may be trying to connect the camera to the 5GHz band.
- Yale Service Disruption: In rare cases, the problem might be on Yale's end.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reconnecting Your Yale Camera
Follow these steps in order to identify and fix the cause of the disconnection.
### Step 1: Check the Yale Service Status
Before you start unplugging devices, it's wise to check if the Yale service is running normally. A major outage will cause all cameras to appear offline. Check the official Yale website or their social media pages for any service status updates. If there is an outage, you simply have to wait for them to resolve it.
### Step 2: Perform a System-Wide Power Cycle
A simple restart is one of the most effective troubleshooting techniques for any network device.
- Unplug Your Yale Camera: Disconnect it from the mains power and wait for at least 60 seconds.
- Unplug Your Wi-Fi Router: While the camera is off, unplug your router. Wait another 60 seconds.
- Plug the Router In: Reconnect the router to power and wait for it to fully boot up. This can take several minutes. Wait until the internet/Wi-Fi indicator lights are stable.
- Plug the Camera In: Reconnect your Yale camera to power. Give it a few minutes to start up and attempt to reconnect to the newly refreshed network.
Check the app to see if the camera is now online. For many users, this process alone will solve the problem.
### Step 3: Analyse Your Wi-Fi Environment
If the camera is still offline, the problem is likely with the Wi-Fi signal itself.
- Check Signal Strength: In the Yale View app, go to your camera's settings. You should be able to find a Wi-Fi status or signal strength indicator. If the signal is reported as "Weak" or "Poor," this is the source of your problem.
- Reduce Distance and Obstructions: The signal is weakened by distance and physical barriers like thick brick walls, metal appliances, and even water (like a fish tank). Try moving your router closer to the camera, or the camera closer to the router.
- Switch to 2.4GHz: Yale cameras, like most smart devices, require a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network for its superior range. If your router uses the same name for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, your camera might be struggling to connect. Log into your router's settings and consider giving the 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks separate names (e.g., "HomeWiFi_2.4" and "HomeWiFi_5"). Then, connect your camera specifically to the 2.4GHz network.
### Step 4: Verify Power Supply
Ensure the camera is receiving stable power.
- Use the Original Cable: Use the power adapter and USB cable that came with the camera. A different adapter might not provide the correct voltage.
- Check Connections: Make sure the cable is securely plugged into both the camera and the power adapter.
- Test the Outlet: Plug another device into the same power socket to confirm the outlet is working.
### Step 5: Re-add the Camera to the App
If the connection is still failing, you may need to reset the camera and set it up again from scratch.
- Factory Reset: Find the physical reset button on your camera. You'll likely need a paperclip to press and hold it for 10-15 seconds until the camera gives an audio or visual cue that it's resetting.
- Delete from App: Remove the camera from your device list in the Yale View app.
- Add Device: Follow the in-app instructions to add the camera again as if it were a new device. This will force a fresh connection with the correct Wi-Fi credentials.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the vast majority of offline issues with Yale cameras and ensure your security system is always connected.