Wansview camera not connecting to your Wi-Fi network can be a frustrating experience. A Wi-Fi connection is the first step before you can explore the camera features and hook it to Alexa. So, why is your camera not connecting?
Your camera won’t connect because you are using an incompatible Wi-Fi network or your router settings are blocking the camera addition.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the common cause of connection failure and the troubleshooting steps to get the camera hooked to your network.
Why Is My Wansview Camera Not Connecting to Wi-Fi?
Wansview cameras are only compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi bands. When connecting, ensure you use the right Wi-Fi band, and disable your VPN or AD guard software on your mobile device. Power cycle the camera and confirm it’s in pairing mode before adding it via the Wansview app.
Many factors could prevent your camera from successfully connecting to your Wi-Fi network. Here are common ones;
- Using an incompatible Wi-Fi network. Wansview cameras only connect to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks.
- Power supply issues to the camera.
- The camera isn’t in pairing mode – The status LED blinks blue and red, indicating the camera is ready to pair.
- Your mobile device has an active VPN or Ad Guard software.
- The camera isn’t within your Wi-Fi range
- Router settings are blocking the camera addition – MAC filtering, Port blocking, Router firewall, Encryption type, etc.
- Using an incorrect Wi-Fi password
- Software bugs on the app or device firmware
Wansview Camera Not Connecting to Wi-Fi – Troubleshooting
Ensure your network is set to the 2.4 frequency band and you have disabled any VPN or Ad guard on your mobile device. Reboot your router and the camera to refresh the connection and retry the setup process.
Try these troubleshooting solutions to get the camera hooked to your network;
Check Your Network Settings
Wi-Fi Signal Strength: Ensure the camera is within range of your Wi-Fi router. A weak Wi-Fi signal can cause connection issues.
Move the camera closer to the router and see if it connects.
Verify Wi-Fi Credentials: Double-check the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password you entered for the camera. Please make sure they are correct and match your network settings.
If your router broadcasts 2.4 and 5 GHz on a single SSID, temporarily turn off the 5 GHz option. Alternatively, move the camera a few feet from the router; the 5 GHz frequency band has a narrow range.
Note: The password and Wi-Fi name should exclude ‘ and & symbols. Also, it should be less than 31 characters.
Check Network Compatibility: Ensure your Wi-Fi network uses a compatible encryption method (WPA/WPA2 is usually recommended).
Some cameras may not support newer security encryption protocols (WPA3).
Disable MAC Filtering: If you have enabled MAC address filtering on your router, ensure the camera’s MAC address is added to the allowed devices list.
Alternatively, temporarily disable MAC filtering to see if it allows the camera to connect.
Disable Firewall/Antivirus: Disable any firewall or antivirus software on your computer or router.
Sometimes, these security measures can interfere with the camera’s connection.
Use A Different Connection Method
First, confirm that you have the latest version of the Wansview app. Check your respective app store and download any available updates.
The app offers two setup methods;
- Wi-Fi connection via QR code scanning – An easier and faster way to connect
- Wi-Fi connection via Soft-AP mode – involves connecting to the camera hotspot before adding your camera to the Wi-Fi network.
Both these methods get your camera hooked, albeit via different techniques. The QR code scanning is the default method and involves;
Open the app > Tap the “+” icon > Select your camera model > Tap Wi-Fi connection by QR code pairing > Enter your 2.4 GHz network details > Scan QR code > Let the device pair.
If the above doesn’t work, try the alternate setup method.
Connecting Via the Soft-AP method;
Turn off cellular data on your mobile device when connecting via this method, and confirm that your camera is powered.
The camera should be in pairing mode with a flashing blue and red status indicator light.
- Launch the app on your mobile device
- Tap the “+” icon to add a device
- Under the Wansview tab, select the correct camera model, say dome camera Q7
- Select the “Wi-Fi connection by soft-AP” setup mode
- Confirm the camera is in pairing mode and hit the Flashing button
- Tap the “Go to Settings” button, connect to the “WVCxxx” network, and return to the Wansview cloud app.
- Add your network. Select the 2.4 GHz network and enter the correct password
- Let the app find, register and initialize the camera.
This alternate method saves the day when experiencing problems with the default method.
If you can’t find the camera hotspot, ensure you have disabled your VPN. Otherwise, your camera could be faulty.
Factory Reset the Camera
I have had to reset a couple of devices, even several times, before getting them to connect to my network, even out of the box device.
Therefore, don’t shy away from resetting your new device; this could be the key to getting it connected.
To reset a Wansview camera, find the reset button and get a pin to press.
- Connect the camera to a working outlet
- Press and hold the reset button for 20 – 25 seconds until the LED flashes red.
- Release the button and let the camera reset and boot.
- After a minute or two, the LED flashes blue and red, indicating the camera is in pairing mode.
Barring any network issues, the camera should connect to your home network. Once connected, enable, insert your SD card, and explore the different camera features.
Bonus Solutions
Update or Reinstall the Wansview App: Connection failures can sometimes occur due to outdated or malfunctioning apps.
Start by clearing the app cache on your device and check the respective app store for any available updates.
If an update is available, download and install it on your device. If updating doesn’t resolve the issue, consider uninstalling the app and reinstalling it afresh.
Try a Different Device: Use a different phone or tablet, preferably running on a different operating system.
This can help determine if the issue is specific to the device you were initially using.
Check for Faulty Device: In some cases, the camera may be defective, preventing it from establishing a connection or broadcasting its network.
For example, if the camera fails to enter pairing mode or doesn’t create a hotspot, it could indicate a faulty device.
In such situations, you have two options; either return the camera for a replacement if it’s within the return period or contact Wansview support to claim your warranty and seek assistance with the defective device.
