I recently installed 2 Video Doorbell v2s and neither will update their firmware over the WiFi (“update failed”) and neither will report AI events or record longer than 12 seconds even though they are both on my Cam Unlimited plan. I have rebooted both, reset both to factory defaults, and re-setup from scratch multiple times without improvement. Was planning to just flash the firmware using a microSD card, but it appears the Video Doorbell v2 does not have this capability since no downloadable firmware is posted. One contributing factor could be that they are installed at a house with satellite internet service (ViaSat) - which of course has high latency - but there are other Wyze cams at the same house that don’t seem to have these issues. Right now, these cams work via the app for motion sensing and 12 second clips like they were not on a paid plan.
Anyone have any ideas about how I can update the firmware or troubleshoot these issues further? I’ve installed and use more than a dozen Wyze cams at four different locations. But I’m pretty much at a loss on these two doorbells. Any/all input appreciated!
Since no one else has responded so far, I’ll take a stab, but I’m just kind of guessing at this point.
Is it possible that the issue is related to power and/or Wi-Fi signal?
Is your doorbell transformer adequate for powering both devices simultaneously?
Is your transformer any closer to your Wi-Fi source than either of the current Video Doorbell v2 locations? If so, then what happens if you temporarily take a Video Doorbell v2 off its mount and power it directly from the transformer? I do this sometimes with a spare Video Doorbell v2 and a couple of test leads clipped to the terminals (of the doorbell and transformer) when I want to test something. I also recently updated the firmware while powering the device this way.
Those are my thoughts at this point. I really don’t know if the satellite Internet service has anything to do with the performance you’re seeing or not, as I don’t have any experience with that.
Thank you for responding and providing those suggestions! The transformer should not be an issue as it’s relatively new and I get a solid 18V from it at both doorbell locations. The wifi signal COULD be part of the issue since both doorbells show 2 out of 3 bars when I check their signal. I have considered removing each one in turn and powering it with another transformer inside next to the wifi router just to see if I could get it to update the firmware. I have a feeling that if I can get it to update successfully, it will begin using the AI recognitions and record longer than the 12-second clips.
They’re both relatively new - and have had this issue since installation a month or so ago. Firmware version on both is 4.51.2.3419 which is from this past summer, I believe. While the newer firmware may offer some improvements, I think the issues I’m having are actually related to the fact that the devices have failed updates and not necessarily the older firmware. Hopefully, I can get them to update by getting them closer to the wifi source. Thanks again for your suggestions!
You’re welcome. Even if you’re able to get the firmware updated, I’d probably still look into the transformer and consider replacing that at some point if you continue to see performance issues with one or both doorbell cameras. Similar to your report, I consistently measure in excess of 18 V AC from my transformer that’s rated at 16 V and 10 VA, which is at the low end of Wyze’s power output rating recommendation. That has worked well for me when powering a Video Doorbell v2 or a wired Battery Video Doorbell for a few years, but I’m usually powering only one at a time (until I temporarily clip a second device to the transformer as I noted above). I’m not trying to run two video doorbells off this same transformer long-term, so I don’t know how well it’d do with two if I had them both wired in simultaneously to activate the chime.
I mention that because if you’re measuring 18 V then I wonder if you also have a transformer at that bottom of Wyze’s recommended range and if replacing that with one that has a higher voltage and volt-ampere rating would help. That’s something I’d be inclined to try unless someone has another suggestion, but I should also note that I’m not an electrician or electrical engineer, so my understanding of the real power requirements for these things is fairly limited.
