Issues that can contribute to an offline camera can include:
- Low signal strength
- Low battery
- Camera placement
- Wifi interference
Low Signal Strength
When setting up your camera(s), your app will identify the signal strength. Please note, walls, trees, household appliances, and other obstructions can reduce signal strength.
How far can I place a camera from the Hub?
Connecting a camera to your local WiFi Network
Low Battery
Too many events will cause your battery to drain very quickly, resulting in the camera to go offline. This situation can be addressed with hard-wired power or a solar charger. Another remedy is to evaluate camera placement (see below).
Camera Placement
Cameras are woken up by motion. When choosing a camera location, please note that cameras will wake up when the activity is within an approximate range of 3 to 30 feet away from the camera. If you have no other option than to place a camera in a busy location, this situation can be addressed with hard-wired power or a solar charger.
When positioning and setting up each camera, it is important to isolate environmental factors as much as possible. Branches/plants, flags, swings, or similar items close to the camera as it can cause undesirable triggers that reduce the camera battery life. Avoid directing a camera towards a busy street as this will also reduce the camera's battery life.
Deep Sentinel Camera Placement Guide
How do I test and verify my camera placement?
WiFi Interference
WiFi interference is any signal outside of the configured WiFi network that impairs the normal operation of the WiFi-network causing slower speeds, higher latency, frequent disconnects and reconnects, and sometimes a complete inability to connect to a WiFi signal.
The materials and items listed below can significantly reduce WiFi signal strength, and cause interference the most so should be considered and avoided where possible:
- Usually thick walls or ceiling
- Brick, concrete, or stone
- Mirrors (some glass)
- Ceramic (e.g.: tiled surfaces in a kitchen or bathroom)
- Large electrical appliances (refrigerators, TV's, microwave, or similar)
- Metal Objects (e.g. shelving, tables, desks, or similar)
- Large bodies of water (e.g. fish tank, water heater, or similar)
Deep Sentinel Hub Placement Guide
