‎Can't change Wifi network on cameras | SimpliSafe Support Home
 
R

Monday, May 18th, 2020 3:23 AM

Can't change Wifi network on cameras

I have an indoor camera and a doorbell one. Both are on the same wifi network.

I now need to change the network. I try to use the app, select camera settings, change the wifi and enter the new password. At this point the camera should turn on the white led, then scan the QR code. But nothing happens. The app asks me to plug in the camera (even if it is plugged already) and when I click on "no white light" but none of the suggestions help.

I really don't want to reset the cameras (especially the doorbell) to change the wifi network. It shouldn't be hard to get a new ssid and password to an already connected camera and restart.

What am I doing wrong?

Advocate

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2.2K Messages

3 years ago

I'm pretty sure that if you change the network, you will need to reset the cameras.  The only way to program SSID and password into a camera is by generating a new QR code and scanning it, and I think the only way to scan a QR code is on a camera which thinks it is on it's first install.

2 Messages

3 years ago

That's what I fear, thanks for your reply... Granted, it's not that common to change network, so I can understand why it's not a priority. But it's really not that hard to send an SSID and a password to a camera that is already connected to the internet.

It's really not that big of a deal on the normal camera, but a real pain in the neck for the doorbell one, where I need to take things apart to reach the reset button.

Also, the instructions here are completely wrong, which only adds to the frustration: https://support.simplisafe.com/hc/en-us/articles/360029925971-How-do-I-change-the-WiFi-network-my-camera-is-using- Notice how it starts with "If your camera is currently connected to WiFi:", but if you follow those instructions you get nowhere. It should say "you can't change your wifi network, you need to reset and re-configure your camera"

Pretty sure that resetting a camera also makes it impossible or at least hard to recover old videos. By resetting you are basically adding a new camera to the system, and need to reconfigure it from scratch.

Being able to change SSID and password from the app would be a much better user experience

1 Message

11 months ago

I had that problem, but I found a way through. If you pull the camera off of the housing (you may need a tiny hex wrench to release it) it will cut the doorbell camera off from its power source. So when you reattach it you can configure it just like it was a new doorbell camera.

For other cameras just pull the power cord off and reconnect.

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