Blink Doorbell Not Recording [Try These Fixes]

Is your Blink doorbell failing to capture those crucial moments? Don’t let a non-recording doorbell leave you in the dark!

When it comes to home security and peace of mind, every missed recording matters.

The Blink doorbell system is an innovative home security solution that has gained immense popularity among homeowners.

Designed to provide a seamless blend of convenience and safety, the Blink doorbell offers advanced features, including real-time video monitoring, motion detection, and two-way audio communication,

which makes it easy to communicate with the person at your door and receive a response at the same time.

However, what happens when you encounter the frustrating issue of your Blink doorbell not recording?

In this article, I will explore the reasons behind this frustrating problem and provide you with a detailed guide on how to rectify your Blink doorbell recording issue.

Your Blink doorbell that stops capturing events may be affected by unforeseen factors, such as Wi-Fi connectivity issues, when the device is served with insufficient signal strength or affected by interferences from other devices.

Power supply problems, such as low battery levels and faulty power adapters, can also prevent your device from working correctly and result in the Blink doorbell not recording problem you’re currently experiencing.

After all, software and firmware glitches are also a likely reason why your Blink camera is not saving videos.

Why is My Blink Doorbell Not Recording

Internet Connectivity Issues

A strong and stable internet connection is required before the Blink doorbell functions appropriately and syncs with the cloud system to record your camera’s live events.

Wi-Fi connectivity problems, such as weak signal strength, interferences from other Wi-Fi enabled devices, and connected channel type, can probably cause the Blink doorbell not recording issues you’re experiencing.

To begin with, when your doorbell is too far from the router, or there are too many obstructions between the router and the doorbell, the signal strength may not be strong enough to maintain a reliable connection.

Read Also: Is your Blink Camera not recording motion? Here’s how to fix it

Additionally, your connected Wi-Fi channel also matters when you are hoping to achieve optimal and error-free connectivity from your home router.

Some modern routers have a dual-band channel for convenience and user personalization. Connecting to the inappropriate one can prevent your Blink doorbell from recording any events.

Interference from other devices could also cause connectivity issues.

Other devices that use the same frequency band as the doorbell, such as microwaves or other wireless devices, could interfere with the signal and cause intermittent connectivity.

Device Batteries and Power Supply Problems

Some Blink models have a built-in battery that needs charging before the device can be used, while others use non-rechargeable batteries that can be replaced if they wear out or run out of juice as a result of long-time usage.

For the issue of Blink doorbell not recording, the device power source is a great deal.

If your Blink doorbell is not recording, another possible reason could be related to device batteries and power supply problems.

Specifically, low battery levels or a faulty power adapter or cable can prevent your doorbell from functioning correctly.

Since the device relies on batteries or a wired power source to function, and if the battery levels are low or the power supply is faulty, your device may not work correctly and develop recording issues.

Checking your device’s power source is one of the important tasks to avoid this issue (detailed info later).

Software or Firmware Glitches

As your Blink doorbell fails to record videos, another possible reason could be software or firmware glitches.

This doesn’t only involve the Blink doorbell device that’s placed at your front door, but also the Blink application on your smartphone.

Outdated firmware versions can cause problems with your device, including issues with video recording.

It’s important to keep your device updated with the latest firmware version to ensure optimal performance.

Additionally, app-related issues can also cause problems with your Blink doorbell. If the app is not functioning properly or has bugs, or if it is not updated regularly.

This can impact the doorbell’s ability to record videos. In such cases, it is recommended to update the app or uninstall and reinstall it to fix the issue.

Blink Misconfigured Settings

When trying out a new function in the Blink application software on your smartphone, you may have altered the motion recording option that will trigger the Blink device to start recording if any is detected.

There are chances that the motion detection settings have been tampered with.

Also, it’s quite important to note that other settings, such as the camera’s field of view and the length of the recording or the device sensitivity can affect how the Blink doorbell records.

If the sensitivity is too low, it might not detect small movements, resulting in missed recordings.

How to Fix Blink Doorbell Not Recording

Check if You Have an Active Subscription

The first thing to check while trying to rectify the issue of Blink doorbell not recording is whether you’re on a paid plan or still running the device on a freemium package.

Actually, the device may come with a free trial function that stops after a while.

Blink doorbell is a subscription-based model that requires a subscription for its cloud-based storage, which allows you to access your recorded videos at any time.

If your subscription has expired or if you haven’t subscribed to Blink’s cloud storage, your doorbell may not be recording any videos.

That’s why it seems impossible for your device to keep recording motion clips, as it requires a subscription fee for cloud storage, live view, and motion detection video recording of the device.

To check if you have an active subscription, open the Blink App on your smartphone or tablet and go to the Settings menu.

From there, select the Subscriptions option and check if your subscription is active. If it has expired or if you haven’t subscribed yet, you can easily renew or purchase a subscription directly from the app.

Once you have an active subscription, your Blink doorbell should start recording videos again.

Ensure You Are Connected to a Stable and Secure Wi-Fi Network

As stated earlier, you have to ensure you’re connected to a stable and standard Wi-Fi network before you can be sure your recording isn’t hindered by weak network signals.

When your Blink doorbell is not recording clips, check your internet speed to ensure that it is strong enough to support the doorbell’s recording capabilities.

There are many tools you can use to determine your wireless network speed, such as accessing any web browser on your device and visiting websites such as www.speedtest.net or https://fast.com.

You can also input “Speed test” into the search bar and search to access the Google speed test tool at the top of the search engine result page.

If you find that the signal strength is weak, you can try resetting the router or relocating the doorbell to an area with better connectivity.

These steps can help improve the stability and speed of your Wi-Fi network, which in turn can help ensure that your Blink Doorbell can record properly.

Read Also: Find out now: Where is the Action Button on Echo Show?

Additionally, removing some connected devices that may be congesting the connection will also boost the signal strength.

When your router has a dual-band channel, it’s advisable to ensure that you’re connected to the 2.4 GHz band, which is reliable, widely used, and has long-range coverage.

Inspect the Doorbell Recording Settings

After ensuring that you have an active subscription and your wireless network is capable of recording clips on your Blink doorbell,

you may need to check your Doorbell recording settings, or the Blink App configuration as a whole.

Apparently, any misconfigured option in the Blink doorbell application software can prevent the device from working appropriately and result in the Blink doorbell not recording motion/clips.

The only potential fix in this situation is to inspect the doorbell recording settings.

To do this, start by opening the Blink app on your smartphone and selecting the doorbell device you are having trouble with.

Once you have selected the device, navigate to the “Device Settings” menu and scroll down to the “Recording” section.

Here, ensure that the “Motion Detection” and “Video Recording” toggles are turned on. If not, enable them by toggling the switch to the “On” position.

Additionally, make sure that the “Clip Length” and “Clip Retention” settings are configured to your desired preferences.

If all of these settings are correct, try adjusting the sensitivity of the motion detection to see if this improves the doorbell’s recording functionality.

By carefully inspecting and adjusting these settings, you can help ensure that your Blink doorbell records.

Turn Off Battery Saving for the Blink App

While power saving mode adjusts several settings to reduce power consumption and extend your phone’s battery life.

Some of the changes that occur when you activate power saving mode can probably reduce and constrain the functionality of the Blink App on your smartphone.

There are chances that your Blink doorbell that refuses to record is affected by the power saving settings that’s turned on for the Blink App.

The only thing you can do here is to check if the Blink App background process option is turned on or off.

And also, ensure your smartphone isn’t in battery saving mode. To check if the Blink App background process has been restricted or not, follow the below step-by-step procedure.

• From the App list page, long press on the Blink App. 
• Tap on App info to access the App settings.
• Tap on the Battery option. 
• Check if its background activity is on or off.
• If it’s off, toggle on the switch that adjacent the word.
• Then back to the home screen.

Now to turn off power saving mode on your smartphone.

The steps to turn off power saving mode on a smartphone may vary slightly depending on the device and operating system, but here are some general instructions that should work for most smartphones:

• Open the settings app on your smartphone.
• Look for the Battery or Power Management option and tap on it.
• Find the option for Power Saving Mode and toggle it off.
• If your phone has an Ultra Power Saving mode, make sure that it is also turned off.
• Some phones may have additional battery saving options, such as Adaptive Battery or Background Restrictions. Make sure these options are also turned off if you want to disable all power saving features.

Once you’ve turned off battery saving for the Blink application on your smartphone, try re-accessing your Blink Doorbell to see if the issue has been resolved.

Check the Blink Power Source: If It is Worn Out Due to Usage

Since the device is powered with either rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries, its power source needs an inspection as well.

Given that the device power level can also affect its recording function and prevent it from saving videos, it’s advisable to check on its batteries and power source.

Over time, as a factor of wear and tear, the Blink Doorbell’s power source, whether it’s batteries or a power adapter, can wear out due to extended usage. Here are some steps to follow:

First, verify the battery levels of your Blink Doorbell by checking the battery icon on the App. If the battery level is low, it could be the cause of the recording issues.

Although, the device is programmed to alert you with appropriate notification when its battery is running out of juice or getting to diminish in value and requires replacement.

If the battery level is low, replace or recharge the batteries. Make sure to use the recommended type of batteries for your Blink Doorbell.

If you are using a power adapter, inspect the power adapter and cable for any signs of wear or damage.

If you notice any issues, consider replacing the adapter or cable. Ensure you’re using an appropriate and recommended power adapter in order to avoid electrical shock.

Address the Software Aspect of Your Blink Doorbell

The likely software problems involve outdated application software and outdated Firmware versions.

To rectify your Blink doorbell not recording issue by addressing the software aspect, you’ll have to ensure every system is up-to-date and running on the latest version.

To set things right, start by updating the Blink App on your smartphone. Check for any available updates by navigating to your device App Store and install them if you notice any.

Additionally, make sure the doorbell’s firmware is up to date.

Firmware updates are released periodically, so keeping your doorbell up to date is crucial.

If you’ve checked these two aspects and the doorbell still isn’t recording, try resetting the doorbell to its default settings and reconfiguring it with the App.

Factory Reset the Blink Device

Reaching the last very option which is restoring the device to it factory settings.

In case your Blink doorbell still refuse to record in spite of trying each and every fixes above, you can try factory resetting the device.

Mind you, backing up process is required before taking this action.

Before you proceed, make sure to back up any important footage that you may have saved on the device.

To factory reset the Blink device, start by pressing and holding down the black button on the back of the device for at least 20 seconds until the LED light starts flashing red.

Then, release the button and wait for the LED light to turn off and on again. This indicates that the reset process is complete, and the device is now restored to its default settings.

After it restore successfully, you will need to set up the device again by going through the initial setup process, connecting it to your Wi-Fi network, and testing the recording feature.

Hopefully, this will resolve the issue of your Blink doorbell not recording.

Contact the Blink Support System

Submitting a support ticket to Blink support system can save you a great deal when you’re unable to get the issue fixed yourself.

Start by gathering the necessary information that may likely be requested by the support agent like the description of the problem, serial number or product code, Wi-Fi network details, and more.

Head to the Blink official product support page and use any available support channels to reach the support team directly.

It’s important to provide a detailed description of the issue you’re experiencing and any troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken to make them aware.

Final Thought

In conclusion, a Blink doorbell not recording can be a frustrating issue, but with the right troubleshooting steps, it can often be resolved.

I believe you’ve learned the common causes for this problem, including Wi-Fi connectivity issues, power supply problems, and software or firmware glitches.

By addressing these underlying issues, you can get your Blink doorbell camera back to recording and ensuring the security of your home.

Simplifying things and conducting some brief troubleshooting steps is advisable in this case.

These steps include checking your Wi-Fi connection, addressing power supply issues, and resolving any software or firmware problems.

By following these guidelines, you can often identify and fix the issue without much difficulty.

However, if the problem persists or if you encounter more complex issues, it is advisable to contact Blink Support.

They can provide further assistance and guide you through advanced troubleshooting techniques.

Our Doorbells can often present problems that range from poor connectivity to power issues, in case you connectivity issue with your Nest Doorbell – Learn how to troubleshoot your Nest Doorbell’s Wi-Fi connectivity here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is there a setting I need to configure for motion recording on Blink?

Yes, there are settings you need to configure for motion recording on Blink. To enable motion recording, you can adjust the sensitivity and duration settings in the Blink application on your smartphone.

Additionally, you may need to ensure that your camera is positioned correctly and there are no obstructions that may interfere with motion detection since it can affect the device recording capabilities.

Is there a way to retrieve lost footage from my Blink doorbell?

Unfortunately, once a clip is deleted from the Blink doorbell app, it is permanently removed from Blink’s servers and cannot be recovered. The Blink Support team is unable to restore deleted clips.

Therefore, it’s important to ensure that any clips you wish to keep are downloaded or backed up before they are deleted from the app. This will help avoid the permanent loss of any important footage.

Why is my blink doorbell flashing Red?

The Red flashing light on your Blink Doorbell is an indication that the device is experiencing a problem or error connecting to the internet.

This could be due to a range of factors, such as poor Wi-Fi connectivity or an issue with the device’s firmware.

In some instances, Blink doorbell flashing red may indicate that it is ready to connect during setup or when changing the system or Wi-Fi.

This LED serves as a signal to let you know that the doorbell is in the proper state to establish a connection.

Does Blink Doorbell have a Live View?

Yes, the Blink Doorbell does have a Live View feature that allows you to stream live video and audio directly from the doorbell to your smartphone or tablet.

With Live View, you can monitor your front door at any time and check for any activity or visitors.

Keep in mind that Live View can use up more battery power than regular motion-activated recordings, so it’s important to monitor your device’s battery level regularly to prevent it from stopping unexpectedly.