If your Blink camera is blinking or flashing red, it means that you have an internet connectivity issue. However, it also indicates a low battery depending on your camera model. Here’s how to decipher your flashing light, and what you can do to fix it.
So, how do you know what your Blink camera’s flashing red light means? As I said, it depends on the model.
Here’s how the light works on each model, according to Blink’s official support page:
| Device Type | Blink Video Doorbell | Blink Mini Camera | Blink Indoor, Outdoor, XT, & XT2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seeking Internet Connection | Red flashing ring | Solid red light | Flashing red light repeats every 3 seconds |
| Low Battery | No warning | No warning | Red light flashes 5 or 6 times after blue light goes out |
How to Fix a Blink Camera That’s Flashing Red
Now that you know what your light means, it’s time to do something about it.
Let’s talk about how to fix internet connection issues, as well as how to change your Blink’s batteries.
1. Ensure Your Internet is Working Properly
To evaluate your internet connection, you’ll need to follow several steps.
First, you need to make sure that you’re using the correct WiFi password.
This isn’t always a problem, but it can happen if you just bought a new router or the Blink camera is brand new.
Log into your Blink app, and double-check the password.
If you’re not sure what your WiFi password is, check on the router label.
There should be a default password that you use when you first set up the router.
Another way to make sure you’re using the right password is to try logging in on your smartphone.
Log out of your home’s WiFi network, then “forget” the network.
Now, try to log back into the network.
You’ll be prompted to enter your password manually.
If the password works for your phone, it will work for your Blink cameras.
If you’ve completely forgotten your password, you’ll have to reset your router.
Look up your manufacturer’s instructions, and follow them to the letter.
Assuming you’ve entered the correct password, you’ll have to go a step deeper and go into your router’s settings.
Here, you’ll need to look for any blocked devices.
Consult with your owner’s manual for information on how this is done.
It will be different for every router.
Look at the blocked devices, and see if any of them stand out.
If you don’t see “Blink,” it may be because your router is identifying the camera by its radio chip.
Depending on your router, you might see any of the following:
- Generic Doorbell Camera
- Generic Security Camera
- My Simple Link
- Texas Instruments
- < no title >
If you see any blocked devices with these names, allow them.
In rarer cases, your network name might not be compatible with your camera.
If your network name contains special characters like “&” or “#,” older Blink devices won’t be able to connect.
Look at your Sync Module serial number.
If it’s lower than “2XX-200-200,” you might need to change your network name.
Newer Blink cameras have updated firmware and can connect to any network name.
Finally, a VPN can cause connection issues during setup.
Turn off your VPN and see if the light stops blinking.
If so, you can reactivate your VPN when you’ve finished setting up the camera.
As long as the VPN server is in the same time zone as your device, you shouldn’t have any issues.
2. Replace Your Camera’s Batteries
Replacing the camera’s batteries is much simpler than diagnosing connection issues.
No matter what Blink model you’re using, all you need is a pair of fresh, non-rechargeable AA lithium batteries.
Oddly enough, the battery brand seems to make a difference.
Many people, myself included, have noticed that Energizer batteries don’t work as well.
You should also avoid any off-brand batteries, since they may not supply enough current.
For best results, use Duracell batteries with your Blink camera.
In Summary
When your Blink camera is flashing red, it means one of two things.
Either your camera’s internet connection is faulty, or your batteries are running low.
By looking up the pattern for your camera, you can figure out which one it is.
At that point, you’ll need to either fix your internet connection or replace your batteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Blink camera flashing red?
In most cases, a flashing red light means that your Blink camera can’t connect to the internet.
Sometimes, it means your battery is running low.
Why is my Blink camera still flashing red with new batteries?
Your new batteries might not be supplying enough current.
From personal experience and online research, I’ve found that Duracell batteries work the best.
If your batteries are just fine, you might have an internet connection issue.
