Blink Camera Is Not Detecting Motion – 11 Best Fixes [2023]

I bought the budget-friendly Blink camera for my home security measures. The setup of the device with the Blink app was easy. But the blink camera was not detecting motion properly due to some reason.

Sometimes, it did record events, but most of the time the blink camera was not picking up motion, even if there was a movement in front of the camera.

As a tech person, I doubt it could be a software, hardware, or server connection issue.

If your blink camera is not detecting motion, here are some fixes you can try to resolve the issue. It is imperative to have an awareness of how motion detection works.

How does Blink’s Camera Motion Detection Works

There are two types of motion detection – passive infrared motion detection and software-based motion detection. Let me elaborate on these two types with an example.

Software-based motion detection records change in a pixel. For example, let’s assume you have fixed the camera towards a road and trees. In the frame, you’re only capturing the road and trees. The pixel will change between consecutive frames when a passerby is on the road. These changes will trigger the motion alerts.  

Passive Infrared motion detection uses an infrared sensor known as a PIR sensor or PIR detector. Most of the objects emit infrared radiation in the form of heat. These include humans, animals, and even inanimate objects. 

When a person or animal moves within the sensor’s field of view, it will detect the changes in infrared radiation. For example, when a person enters a room with a different temperature from the room itself, the temperature changes will be detected more quickly by a PIR sensor. 

Tips – Placing the camera behind glass can obstruct the sensor leading to improper heat detection.

Basic Troubleshoot – Blink camera not picking up motion

One of the most common reasons is that the motion detection feature is not enabled in the Blink app.  

“You can try the basic troubleshooting fixes in other models of blink cameras like blink floodlight, blink mini, blink outdoor, blink indoor, and many more. All these models use the same blink application for pairing.” 

I assume the camera is already armed(paired) with the Blink application. In the home section, you will find 3 dotted bars/icons.  

Click the icon to go to settings. Under the motion detection option, check if it is enabled on your Blink app. Next, you need to check if the motion recording is turned on. 

Suitable Blink Camera Settings 

You need to ensure that retrigger time is set to 10s. Keep the sensitivity set to 5 if your blink camera is inside the house, and set the sensitivity to the lowest if the camera is mounted outdoors facing roads and trees. 

Under the night vision option, I recommend you set the IR sensitivity to medium. All the above configurations will save battery health in the long run. 

Blink Camera Is Not Detecting Motion – 11 Best Fixes

If the basic troubleshooting guide is not fixing the issue, here are some additional steps you can follow to solve the problem.

#1 Ensure the Sync Module is placed nearby to Wi-Fi Router and Camera. 

Sync Module is a hub to manage multiple blink devices. Keep the sync module, Wi-Fi-router, and camera near each other for better signal strength.

The sync module acts as a bridge and helps to communicate between the camera and Blink’s server. In technical terms, it is known as a call.

For example, Let’s assume the camera is using a PIR sensor. When the sensor detects motion, a call is made to Blink’s server to record the events. This exchange of information is done in a real-time. Similarly, if the camera uses software (pixel-based) motion detection, a call is made to the server to command Blink’s camera hardware to record the motion.

So, a poor connection or low signal strength can create an issue in processing the motion detection feature.

#2 Update Blink Camera’s Firmware and Mobile Application 

Check if your blink camera is using the latest firmware version. Outdated firmware could be one of the issues affecting the proper functioning of the camera.

It is advisable to regularly update the camera’s firmware and blink home monitor application for effective camera functionalities.

Tips – Ensure a stable and good internet connection while installing the new firmware. 

#3 Battery Issue 

When a power-saving mode is enabled, some of the functions, including the motion detection system of the camera, are restricted so that the camera can record for a longer duration.

Ensure the energy-saving feature is turned off. Furthermore, a healthy battery level is recommended for proper functioning of all camera features. If the battery runs out, replace it with a new pair.

#4 Ideal Camera Placement  

The camera should be positioned in places where there is no obstruction of signals. As the camera uses an infrared sensor to detect heat, placing the camera behind a glass window can act as a blocker or deflector.

Ensure the camera is placed in an area with a good connection with Wi-Fi-router and sync module. Also, the camera should be positioned toward an area with a clear view.

Tips – Do not place your blink camera too high. You can place the camera within the optimal range between 5 to 20 feet for effective motion detection. 

#5 Ensure stable Wi-Fi Connectivity 

An active Wi-Fi connection is necessary for the Blink camera. Check if your Wi-Fi router is configured to a 2.5 GHz band. This is an ideal radio frequency band for the Blink camera. 

As you’re aware, the speed of the internet varies. Ensure the internet connection is excellent and stable. I’ve faced latency issues due to bad internet speed. Latency issues can impact the motion detection sensor. 

Tips: The Wi-Fi signal strength will be low if a wall acts as a blocker between the camera and the Wi-Fi router.  

#6 Check if the Blink camera is Armed/Disarmed 

Ensure the Blink camera is armed with the mobile app to detect motion. If the camera is disarmed, it will not detect motion even if you’ve enabled the motion detection feature in camera settings. 

You must be curious about how to arm the Blink camera. Right! Open the app on your smartphone and go to the home section/camera live view. You will see a toggle button labeled Armed and Disarmed in the lower section of the screen.  

Tap on the label – Armed. You will notice that the grey running man will turn blue. It means the Blink camera is armed.

Note – Grey status running man sign means the motion detection sensor is off for a particular camera. Blue status running man sign means the motion detection sensor is on for a specific camera. 

#7 Check Motion Sensitivity  

Blink camera allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the motion detection. You can set the sensitivity to 5 for optimal results.

Setting the motion sensitivity too low can ignore most motion detection, and setting the sensitivity too high can help detect even a slight motion in the field view of the camera. But a high sensitivity can reduce the battery life much faster.

#8 Ensure Correct Area Selection in Activity Zones

Check if your area is selected correctly in the Blink camera grid view. This could be one of the reasons why the Blink camera is not detecting motion.

Blink allows the user to select a specific area to activate the motion detection sensor. This feature is known as Activity Zones.

You need to go to camera settings and click on activity zones. It will open your camera grid to select the area that you want to target.

So, any motion detection within the specified region will trigger notifications on the Blink app and record the events.

Note – Greyed rectangles in the camera grid mean the motion sensor is disabled for that area. Colored rectangles in the camera grid indicate the motion sensor is enabled for the selected region.  

#9 Blink Camera Privacy Zones

Keeping privacy in mind, Blink allows users to select privacy zones too. This feature is similar to how the activity zones work.  

In the Privacy zone, select the area where motion detection sensors and motion recording needs to be turned automatically for privacy concerns. 

Ensure the privacy zone is configured correctly in camera settings. 

Misconfiguration of the privacy zone can impact the motion detection sensor. 

#10 Blink Camera Motion Detection Issues at Night  

Blink camera uses an infrared sensor to detect heat. If the temperature suddenly changes from a normal degree, it starts recording events and sends notifications on the mobile app. 

If you have not enabled the night vision feature in the Blink app, then the Blink camera will not detect motion at night. 

To turn on the night vision feature, navigate to night vision in camera settings and set the control to auto mode. Also, set the infrared (IR) intensity to medium or high for effective performance. 

Tips – Set the IR intensity to medium to keep the battery last long.

#11 Reset your Blink camera 

If the issue persists after trying out all the troubleshooting tips mentioned above. You should factory reset your devices and make a fresh pairing of the camera with a Wi-Fi router, blink home monitoring application, and sync module.

Conclusion

I fixed the issue by turning on the motion detection feature and adjusting the camera settings.

Troubleshooting can be overwhelming sometimes because there could be multiple reasons why the blink camera motion detection is not functioning correctly and effectively. The camera issue may differ in your case, so I have listed all the possible causes and tips to resolve the blink camera issues. I hope this article was helpful in solving your issues with blink camera.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)