Blink Camera Not Detecting Motion? Easy Fix that Works

When you complete the installation of the Blink camera, it promises a sense of security and peace of mind. However, some users encounter an issue where the Blink camera is not detecting motion as it should. This common problem can be quite frustrating, diminishing the overall utility and effectiveness of the security camera.

Let’s dig into understanding why my Blink camera is not detecting motion, exploring the common causes and practical solutions to this issue.

Why Is My Blink Camera Not Detecting Motion?

Your Blink camera is not detecting motion due to improper positioning of the motion sensor, limited sensor range, power issues, technical glitches, or connectivity problems. Ensuring the camera is correctly positioned, adjusting sensitivity settings, checking power sources, and addressing connectivity issues can help resolve this problem.

Let’s discuss the causes of Blink camera motion detection not working before discussing remedies.

Positioning of the Motion Sensor

The motion sensor is ineffective at capturing motion coming directly at it. It works by detecting a shifting heat gradient passing from left to right across its field of view. Positioning it directly down a path or driveway decreases its effectiveness.

Range Limitation

The range of the motion sensor is only about 20 feet, affecting its ability to detect motion beyond this range. So, if your Blink camera not detecting motion far away, it is because it can’t detect beyond 20 feet.

Connectivity

The cameras may not work reliably with shared SSIDs (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) because the process of authenticating becomes too lengthy for the chip. It’s because Blink camera connectivity requirements limit connectivity to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks.

If you have a WiFi router that has both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connectivity options, it switches between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz automatically. If you make the Wi-Fi switch to 5 GHz, the Sync Module doesn’t work or respond.

Technical Glitches

There might be issues with the USB stick or the Sync Module, causing problems with motion alerts or newly recorded clips. Some external factors, such as lighting and the nature of the moving object (e.g., small, slowly moving objects), also affect how the motion sensor detects motion.

Solution

If there’s a problem, there’s a solution. Let’s find some quick fixes if your Blink camera is not detecting motion.

Reposition the camera.

Try to position the camera slightly off to the side to capture a clear image. Avoid mounting it looking straight down a path or drive because a Blink camera can’t detect motion if an object is directly in front of it.

Adjust Motion Settings

Blink cameras capture motion using the Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor. PIR detects motion by distinguishing IR radiation differences between humans and other objects. The total size of the objects and the amount of motion together cause a motion event. Your camera’s Sensitivity setting adjusts how much input it takes to send you a notification.

You can manually test if the Blink camera is detecting motion. Change the motion sensitivity level up or down until the camera starts picking up people effectively. Once you are sure, you can save those settings.

Also, make sure that the motion notification is enabled in the notification settings and set your Blink camera to Armed mode to enable Motion Detection.

Power Adjustments

All the Bllink cameras use AA 1.5-volt Lithium non-rechargeable batteries. If the battery is older or the device is going out of charge early, you can buy a pack of AA 1.5 batteries at a cheaper price. Please note that these non-rechargeable batteries are for Blink XT2 cameras as well as the original Blink XT or XT1. 

If the old ones are not performing well, it is also one of the reasons your Blink camera is not detecting motion. Alternatively, you can plug the Blink camera into the wall using a long USB cable and any 1A USB adapter. The Blink Mini operates when powered through the USB port. Make sure that the USB cable is Type-C.

Technical Adjustments

You can also unplug and re-plug the USB stick or restart the Sync Module to fix glitches. To check if your Blink camera is detecting motion, you can test the camera on different Wi-Fi network, if your current WiFi is not performing well. Stable WiFi with a good RSSI or signal strength is essential for detecting motion.

If the distance between the Blink camera and WiFi router is more than 100 feet, it is also one of the reasons why Blink camera motion detection not working. As a solution, you can bring the WiFi router closer. If that’s not possible, you can consider installing a WiFi extender for the Blink camera.

Blink Camera Not Detecting Motion At Night

If your Blink camera is not detecting motion at night, enable Night Vision and fine-tune the Infrared (IR) intensity settings. Night Vision allows your camera to see in the dark, adjusting the IR intensity as per the surroundings.

IR Intensity	Recommended Use
Low IR	Areas not very dark, but Night Vision desired
Medium IR	Suitable for most environments with Night Vision
High IR	Extremely dark areas or locations with minimal light

Here, the Blink camera IR intensity settings are important, as many people complain that their Blink camera not detecting motion through window. Blink cameras, except for the Blink Mini, generally do not detect motion through windows because they use infrared (PIR) technology for motion detection, which is incapable of penetrating glass. 

The Blink Mini can detect motion through a window using pixel difference analysis, but it requires the camera to be placed very close to the window and the area outside the window to be brightly lit. Even so, using the Blink Mini in this way may not be the most practical option.

Conclusion

Blink cameras are a great solution if you want motion-based alerts and Live viewing, but they don’t record the video 24/7. If you want a camera that records 24/7, you can choose from brands like Ring, Arlo, Wyze, and Google Nest.

However, Blink cameras especially Blink Mini is an affordable alternative for home security if you don’t want to go hard on your pocket. You can easily resolve the Blink camera not detection motion if you come across.