Cameras Disconnecting on Mesh Network

@mb43​ I had hoped that the replacement doorbell camera would fix my issues but the new one does the same as the old one - "We've lost this part of recording due to some internet issues with your camera".

There are no Internet issues, the camera shows the signal is -39 dBm and the upload speed is 9.23 mbps. Yet it can't seem to record an entire video.

What good is a video doorbell that doesn't reliably record video? No good whatsoever.

@galenwork​ Thanks for sharing your experience.  Yes, I am interested in how the SS cameras handshake with the network as well.  Mesh networking is now ubiquitous in the USA.  If you have a good fiber internet or high speed connection you probably have a mesh network.  I felt somewhat like I was talking to a person needing basic network training with some of the tech support people on the phone and others seemed to have a good grasp of the concepts but no information on handshake or protocols involved.

One possibility that entered my mind is the camera software targeted at the new battery operated outside camera.  If I followed the updates properly they now intentionally disconnect the camera completely when not active to preserve battery.  Did that get moved into our doorbell pros?

I don't want to sound like I'm bashing SS at all.  We have had a very good security system at a decent monthly fee now for some time - two years working.  Only two entry sensors replaced.  The doorlock takes batteries about every 4 to 6 months but I like it now.  I understand their approach to cameras is from the security side of the property and their attempt to integrate the cameras from that viewpoint.

I'm not really unhappy with the price increase either, I think the 24x7 monitor is worth the money because we live very rural with no close neighbors.

I would expect some response indicating they are working on the issue though.  Mesh networking is not going away but growing.  Unless you live in a one bedroom efficiency apt. you probably want a mesh now that prices are reasonable.   I saw the Deco M9 Plus 3 pack refurbished for $139 at B&H.  That is a lot of network if refurbished doesn't scare you (and you don't want wifi6).

My favorite tech support question " have you installed a network extender"  usually asked right after I explain the 6 node mesh net and each camera within 6ft of a node.

I'm not dumping my doorbell pros yet.  The disconnect does render them worthless if someone actually walks up while they are disconnected.  The doorbell will ring the chime if they push it however.  Then by the time you get up the camera may be online and you can see who is there - not always.  This happened to me two days ago and renewed my efforts to get an answer.  No alert from app on phone, person standing at front door.  Then they pushed the doorbell, it rang the chime and I picked up my phone - then a notification.  Camera offline.  Looking at my phone and walking to the door it came online.  Many times the UPS delivers a package and there is no notification, no video recorded but sometimes I get their back as they are leaving.

I am going to install some basic cameras outside to cover the SS failures however.  I just don't think SS is a player in outside cameras - yet - based on this long adventure.  I wanted the SS cameras to work because the video storage is included in the monthly fee and only one app to use on the cell phone - but sometimes things just don't work out.

I’ve got too much invested, and the devices appear to work well, when all the communications  are running smooth.  But the communications protocols, or the motivations behind them seem flawed at the moment. I’ve resisted comparison to my Dad’s  single Blink camera, but whatever Amazon is doing to retain battery on wireless cameras, remain responsive to trigger events, and accessible to user interfaces appears to work really well. I’ve never seen any of the failings seen in SS. That said. I believe if they’ve prioritized battery life over (always) working communications protocols, that could be a downfall. The most recent clue in that regard came this morning when the iOS app started (after receiving a notification) and immediately rendered a “ Simplisafe app cannot operate at this time” (or some such) from the app itself, not iOS. Under what circumstances should an app tell you it’s failing? That’s another question for SS, and another point. They need to get the folks who designed how the control panel in the same room with the app people. My impression is the control panel works even when the app might stumble.

Since posting this originally I have spent several full days working on the wifi issues.  Here it is.  Replaced the other doorbell pro, same problem.  Then I thought, try my old wifi extender.  Moved the mesh node to a remote bedroom, let it stabilize.   Plugged up the extender.  Set it up.  Great signal.  Doorbell disconnected.  Then I had a thought, the signal is TOO darned good!  Yes.  I watch my syslog on the Linux lappy negotiate DOWN to 1/3 speed when too near a node.  OK, Moved the extender back about six feet from doorbell and success.  Doorbell now works great, records and does not (or has not yet) dropped out.  I have seen no network instability from the extended 2.4 band on the mesh at this time.  The doorbell operation internally is a mystery, I don't know but guess it can not negotiate down speed or strength - the signal has to be "just right" like the porridge.

My advice to anyone fighting this phenom is to give up and buy POE doorbells.  These little wifi doorbells are plain finicky and just not worth the hassle.

BTW, my mesh nodes are all mounted high, ie. above obstacles like windows and furniture and appliances.  In hindsight I should have ceiling mounted them and pulled cat6 for gig backhaul to each one.  Regardless the mesh is very robust with one node backhauled with gig and a star with two behind that, the others 5Ghz back to master.  Only one hop max.

The mesh runs with BEAMFORMING OFF and FAST ROAMING OFF.  Like others the 2.4Ghz band is on a separate VLAN and SSID with no 5Ghz on that VPN/SSID.

As others noted at the price point invested in the doorbell pros I wanted to get a few years more service from them.  The little simplicam cameras work great, once in a while I get the "no video" or recording just a few seconds but never drops/disconnects.

To summarize, moved the powerful node away, 40 ft at least from your doorbell, and try  playing with an extender.  When you find the sweet spot it probably will work fine.  A strong node blasting the things does not work well.  When the extender was very near the doorbell it connected at -18dbm but the speed dropped to 1.2Mbps.   Moved to the sweet spot it shows -42dbm and 4Mbps.  Working great so far.  When the mesh node was six feet away the thing showed -32dbm and 10Mbps but dropped constantly - could not take the heat!

Note, typo.  Not VPN/SSID but VLAN/SSID please.  My fingers will not listen to my brain sometimes...

@gammowt​ So you're saying if the doorbell has TOO GOOD of a signal it will drop the connection?  

Before you moved your nodes, did you try reducing the transmit power for your 2.4 GHz SSID to see if that had any impact? 

The only option I have on mine is 100%, 50% or 25%. Previously it was set to 100%, I've just reduced it to 50% and will see if that makes a difference.