Essential camera VMC2030 not staying connected

[kodpkd]

I keep reading all the issues with the essential camera VMC2030 not staying connected, BUT I haven't seen a fix yet.

How do I fix this, get a different system?

[kodpkd]

So after 1 hr. on tech support I did a factory reset on my camera, then reinstalled it from scratch.

Is this going to solve the problem?

[kodpkd · Accepted solution]

SO,,,,, I disconnected the camera, uninstalled it from my app.  Updated the app. Did a full update to the camera then reinstalled it to my system.

So far all works and the camera shows a full signal. 

[kodpkd]

SO after 4 days the camera dropped off line again.  There is something really wrong with the essential cameras.

[jguerdat]

If the camera is brought closer to your hub or router does it do the same thing?

[kodpkd]

I am testing that now. I switched two of my cameras with the essential closer now.  So far so good.  But when the signal showed 4 bars why would it disconnect?

[jguerdat]

The WiFi icon shows strength but not possible interference. Sounds like something near the camera that also uses the 2.4GHz band is causing the issue.

[kodpkd]

I have thought about that. It was on the outside of my garage, nothing near it.

[jguerdat]

What about neighbor's WiFi? You may want to use a WiFi signal scanner on your phone or laptop to see what shows up at the camera location.

[kodpkd]

Every neighbor has WIFI........  If this camera is that bad, I will send it back!

[StephenB]

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@kodpkd wrote:

Every neighbor has WIFI

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Of course.  And that doesn't necessarily mean there is interference.  It depends on how close the neighbor's wifi is to the garage.

I personally don't think the number of bars shown in the app is all that useful.  I suggest measuring the speed of your wifi connection at the garage with your phone.  The Ookla speedtest app (free) is a useful way to do this.  You'd want an upload speed of at 2 megabits or more (Arlo says 1 for the Essential, but I think you need some margin).  Signal quality can vary, so it'd be good to take a couple of measurements in a row, and then do it again at a different time.

[kodpkd]

SO,,,,,,,, It has been just a few days.  The essential camera is mounted on the side of my house, less than 10 feet from my base.  It just lost connection again. WHY?  Is this a faulty camera?  What should ARLO do about this?

[jguerdat]

While it certainly could be a faulty camera, what is the house construction? How many walls does the signal pass through and what's on/in the walls in the straight line between the base and camera?

If you have a subscription of any sort use Settings, Support to select the camera and start communicating with official support. They may determine the camera is faulty and replace it if so.

[kodpkd]

I have been on support hours,,,,, they are terrible.

[kodpkd]

So, the same camera is still disconnecting.  Now, what I can't figure out, if I leave it disconnected for a few days, it reconnects all by itself. 

I can reconnect it if I do a reset or reinstall but I don't get how it connects by itself.

[Lee_MSgt]

And you’re a “Guru”? Linking a camera either straight in to the computer or through a base unit us a lock. Outside WIFI cannot interfere unless there is a fault/defect with the camera or base. Simple logic demands that. This is why I hate using this forum - no technicians providing a concrete fix 

[Jo060]

You should update your name to, "keyboard warrior".

However, why not help the person having issue with their camera(s)? 

[kodpkd]

To end this thread.   ARLO sent another Essential camera.   It doesn't have any issues.  It has stayed connected for the weeks now. I have remounted it on my garage with no problems.

Thank you ARLO.