What to Do When Your Yale Camera Stops Working
It can be unsettling when you discover your Yale smart camera has stopped working or is showing as "Offline" in the app. A security camera is only useful when it's functioning correctly. The good news is that the cause is often a simple issue that you can resolve yourself without needing technical support.
This straightforward guide will take you through the most common reasons why your Yale camera might have stopped working and provide easy-to-follow steps to get it back online.
## Common Reasons for a Yale Camera Failure
Before diving into solutions, let's understand what usually causes a camera to go offline.
- Loss of Power: The most basic issue! The power cable may have been accidentally unplugged, or the outlet it's connected to has lost power.
- Wi-Fi Connection Lost: The camera may have disconnected from your home Wi-Fi network. This could be because your router rebooted, your Wi-Fi password changed, or the signal is too weak.
- Home Internet Outage: If your home internet service is down, the camera cannot connect to the Yale servers, and it will appear offline in your app.
- App or Server Issues: Occasionally, the problem might be with the Yale View app or its cloud servers being temporarily down for maintenance.
- Needs a Reset: Like any electronic device, the camera's software might have encountered a glitch and simply needs to be rebooted.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting to Get Your Camera Working
Follow these steps in order. Most issues are resolved in the first few steps.
### 1. Check the Power Supply
Start with the most obvious culprit.
- Check the Plug: Ensure the camera's power adapter is securely plugged into a working wall socket.
- Check the Cable: Make sure the USB cable is firmly connected to both the power adapter and the camera itself.
- Test the Outlet: Plug another device, like a lamp or phone charger, into the same socket to confirm that the outlet is providing power.
- Look for a Status Light: Check the front of your Yale camera. Is there any light on at all? If there is no light, it's almost certainly a power issue. If there is a light (e.g., flashing red or blue), the camera is getting power, and you can proceed to the next step.
### 2. Reboot Your Camera and Network
A simple restart is the most effective fix for a huge range of tech problems.
- Unplug the Yale camera from its power source.
- Unplug your home's Wi-Fi router from its power source.
- Wait for 60 seconds.
- Plug the router back in first. Allow it a few minutes to fully restart and establish an internet connection.
- Plug the camera back in. Give it a few minutes to boot up and attempt to reconnect to your Wi-Fi.
- Open the Yale View app and see if the camera is back online.
### 3. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection
If the reboot didn't work, let's investigate the Wi-Fi signal.
- Have You Changed Your Wi-Fi Password? If you have recently changed the password for your home Wi-Fi, the camera will not be able to connect. You will need to perform a factory reset (see below) and set the camera up again with the new password.
- Router Position: Has your router been moved recently? The camera may now be in a Wi-Fi dead spot. Try moving the router closer to the camera, or the camera closer to the router, to see if the connection is restored.
### 4. The Final Step: Factory Reset
If nothing else has worked, a factory reset is your last resort. Be aware that this will erase the camera's settings, including its Wi-Fi configuration, and you will need to add it to your app again as if it were a new device.
- Make sure the camera is powered on.
- Locate the reset button. This is usually a small, recessed button that you'll need a paperclip or SIM-eject tool to press. Its location varies by model, so check your user manual if you can't find it.
- Press and hold the reset button for 10-15 seconds.
- The camera will usually make a sound or its status light will change to indicate that the reset has been successful.
- Once it has restarted, open the Yale View app and follow the on-screen instructions to "Add a new device".
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the vast majority of issues that cause a Yale camera to stop working.