Restart WiFi network needed so Blink cameras can record video

[uber_ray]

I've had Blink cameras for almost 1 year. I had Google Nest WiFi devices and had no problems with the cameras. I replaced the old WiFi with Google Nest WiFi Pro devices in December. I have one hardwired to my ISP cable modem, and the other 2 in different areas of my house. There were no problems with the cameras until a month or two ago. I have them set to record video to a USB drive connected to the Blink Sync module 2. The problem is that video stopped recording to the USB. The cameras would still detect motion and my phone would get the alert. Everything worked fine except the videos stopped being recorded. I thought the problem might have been with the sync module, because unplugging it from power and plugging it back in helped - at first. It seemed all would be good for a couple days, then it would stop recording the videos. I factory reset the sync module a few times but the problem kept coming back. I called Blink support and the rep said he could see errors being logged related to the WiFi. Even though none of my other devices in the WiFi have problems, the rep asked me to try restarting the WiFi the next time it happens. Sure enough, that fixes the problem! I'm now having to reset the WiFi network every few days - after I see that videos stop recording on the USB. Since it worked fine for months on the WiFi Pro, and this problem started recently, I have to think maybe there was a firmware update for the WiFi Pro that caused this. Anyone else with WiFi Pro and Blink Sync Module 2 recording video locally to USB that is also seeing this problem?

[sicsacol]

Hi @uber_ray,

Thanks for reaching out about your Blink cameras. I understand it's frustrating that they're no longer recording. Don't worry, I'm here to help.

Based on your info, it seems the issue started after switching to your Nest Wifi Pro. To troubleshoot, I recommend checking compatibility between Blink cameras and Nest Wifi Pro devices.

Since other devices work fine, contacting Blink support might be best. Their experts can diagnose the camera issue and offer further assistance.

Please let me know how it goes.

Regards.

Jonathan  

[uber_ray]

Sorry I probably gave too much info in my first post. That's not the case. Let me summarize. I put the Nest WiFi Pro devices in place back in December. It ran fine until about a month or two ago. That means all was good for about 6 months. Also noted was the fact that I already called Blink, and they were the ones who suggested it wasn't the camera system, and that restarting my WiFi network fixes the problem. It seems as if something changed about the WiFi recently.

[sicsacol]

Hi @uber_ray,

Thanks for your reply and sorry for the delay.

Can you see the live video feed from your Blink camera?

Are your Blink cameras connected to your network via a wired connection? If not, have you tried connecting a camera directly to your modem with a wired cable?

Since other devices seem to be working fine on your network, the issue might be with the Blink cameras themselves.

Please let me know how it goes.

Sincerely,

Jonathan

[uber_ray]

Yes I can see live video from the cameras. That is what this statement from my original post means: 

Everything worked fine except the videos stopped being recorded.

They are wireless cameras, so no the are not connected via wire - and I don't even know if they could be. 

Yes other devices are working fine. The Blink rep suggested restarting the WiFi network after seeing errors in the log. It turned out that resolves the problem. I just did that again this morning. The last time I did that was about 3 days ago. The cameras immediately started recording again after restarting the WiFi.

[sicsacol]

Hi @uber_ray,

Thanks for your reply.

 While we can't directly assist with Blink cameras, here's a troubleshooting step you can try:

• Create a mobile hotspot on your phone and connect the Blink camera to it.
• If the camera still doesn't record, this suggests an issue with the Blink camera itself.

Let me know if this helps

Regards,

Jonathan 

[uber_ray]

I'm not able to leave my hotspot on and my phone home for days until the problem comes back. That does not seem like a practical option for you to suggest, knowing that the problem takes days to manifest.

Looks like maybe the Blink rep was right to say try restarting the WiFi network. Apparently there is a problem with Nest WiFi Pro that has been happening for months. That's the same timeframe I'm seeing with my problem. The temporary solution for that is to reset the WiFi network. That's also what resolves the issue I'm seeing. This article discusses that.

https://9to5google.com/2024/07/02/nest-wifi-pro-update-issues/

[Anonservguy]

hello, what fixed this issue for me is making DHCP IP reservations for all of the blink devices. You will need to name all of the blink devices in your device list in google home app

you will also need to look at your DHCP Pool and make DHCP reservations within that range only changing the numbers after the last decimal place

this has fixed my issue for about a week when i used to have to restart every 2 days. I’m not sure WHY this fixed it but it has so far. Hope this helps

[uber_ray]

Wow that's crazy. I may end up trying that.

[uber_ray]

@Anonservguy it's only been a couple weeks, but that's been a few WiFi resets so I decided to try this. I couldn't find how to name the devices, but I wouldn't have known which ones to name anyway because many show as "Unnamed device". I gathered the MAC addresses of all my Blink devices and added DHCP reservations for them. I'll know if it helps my situation after a few days. This isn't a solution that would be good for people who aren't a little technical, but I am so it's adequate for me. The biggest pain was getting the MAC addresses from the cameras. Some of mine are only reachable via ladder, and they are all inside the camera case next to the battery compartment. Fingers crossed!

[uber_ray]

Unfortunately my cameras stopped recording video to the Blink Sync module either late last night or early this morning. I did an entire network reset of the Nest WiFi through the Home app today and that resolved the problem. It's blatantly obvious there is a problem with the Nest and the Blink devices. It didn't have this problem until the last firmware update from Google. So disappointing. My next WiFi solution will not be Google.

@Anonservguy since you've done the DHCP recessive, how long has it been for you since you've had to restart your network?

[uber_ray]

All 3 of mine updated to 3.73.424613 shortly after 3 AM. I have my main WiFi connected to a smart power outlet that was on a schedule to reboot every other day. I've disabled the reboot schedule so I'll see if this fixes the problem I was having.

[uber_ray]

I have not had to restart mine for just over 7 days, which is when they received 3.73.424613. With the previous firmware I was restarting roughly every few days. I am hopeful this resolved the issue with my Blink Sync module stopping recording videos. My Internet speed is still where it is supposed to be, but I never really noticed any problems with it.