My system controller (hub) experienced a power loss. Support recommended that I reset it. Asking further questions, I learn that doing so will destroy my configuration data! I also learn that there is no backup/restore utility for hub configuration data.
My configuration is large and complex. Moreover, power failures are becoming more and more common due to seasonally high winds (the utility is shutting off power to avoid starting a wildfire). If the situation is as has been represented to me, Wyze is not a suitable solution for my home security. None of this was disclosed to me at the time I analyzed systems for purchase. I feel that I have been misled, even defrauded.
Can anyone tell me of anything I have overlooked regarding the effects of power failures and system resets? Otherwise, I must begin seeking a more robust and full-featured security system.
Wyze offered to let me return hardware. But, when they learn that I purchased over one year ago and how many cameras and sensors I have, I suspect they will renege on that offer, which was generated by AI.
Thanks for any help.
Cheers,
P.S. It just occurred to me that a UPS might solve the problem. Does anyone have experience with using a UPS with the Wyze system?
Duh - all cameras that are not battery powered are going to stop working in a power failure. For the cameras, you can provide backup power either on the 120V AC level (a traditional UPS), or at the 5V DC (USB power). Note that a lot of USB battery banks DO NOT have passthrough power capability. In other words, you can’t just leave the battery bank plugged into a power source and your camera plugged into the battery bank and have it work.
As I said, some do and a lot do not. Since the description did not outright state it one way or another, you need to test the USB bank to find out (unless it’s in the manual). I have several that do including my car jump start battery bank.
The problem is NOT temporary loss of camera or sensor function, as you seem to have concluded (if I understand you rightly). The problem is PERMANENT loss of the configuration data in the hub and consequent inoperability of the entire system. If I understand rightly, if you press RESET you must then re-enter ALL hub-resident configuration data for EVERY device included in your system. This can only be done manually since no backup/restore utility exists. And, thanks to a quite brief power failure, I have no alternative other than pressing RESET.
The really upsetting thing is that both documentation and support personnel failed to mention this loss of hub configuration data. Not knowing I was responsible for creating a manual copy of my hub configuration, I failed to create one and so must now reconfigure the entire system–not a minor task since I have many cameras and sensors and no idea concerning their configurations.
Based on what I’ve learned I would recommend that any operator of a Wyze system with more than a few cameras and sensors place a reliable UPS (such as APC models that I’ve used in other contexts) between the hub and the AC line. I would also recommend keeping a manual log of all hub configuration information, perhaps via screen shots.
I myself will be adding a rather beefy APC UPS to my system. A smaller unit would be more economical in the short run. But, my experience is that other devices will eventually be installed nearby and it will be handy to simply plug them into an existing UPS.
I don’t plan to take any steps to back up power to cameras. I can live with temporary loss of function during power outages. Assuming that the outage affects the entire neighborhood rather than just my house, which is the typical case for me, the Internet feed itself will almost certainly fail. In that case there’s no workaround by which I can continue operation, since I’m not interested in standing up a cell phone-based Internet uplink.
I’d suggest testing rather than relying only on the manual. I’ve seen examples of manuals that somehow don’t quite agree with the respective device–this is especially likely in the case of imported hardware.
I found an old message in the forum and decided to try what the poster reported as the solution to his/her problem. Here’s what I did:
On my phone, I entered the Wyze app.
Without deleting the existing hub, I created a new hub with the same name.
I very briefly pressed the RESET button on the hub (i.e., a SOFT RESET).
BINGO: Almost every device came back and is live. I assume those that did not have been unplugged or something similar.
So, why in several contacts with Customer Support, was I not recommended to try this simple solution rather than others that would have required me to start fresh and add every camera, sensor, etc.?
I looked at this one too bill, but I have no need for 9v or 12v or the need for 10,000ma. The 3000ma I am using lasts longer with just the cameras than my full size UPS will last running my modem, router, switches, MESH, etc… And once that goes down, it doesn’t really matter if the cameras are still working. (I guess I could view events later, but I want to be able to be alerted and monitor in real time. So for me, the 3000ma will give me many hours of backup power.
But for what it’s worth, I do have a 12vdc ups similar to what you show that I use for my mesh slave units to keep them alive. (My main mesh router is on the normal network UPS). They work great and it’s the 12vdc I need for the mesh units. But the wyze cameras are the only things I have running power over 5vdc USB. So for me, the talentcell 3000ma is great. The same company has a 6000ma version for $34. And 8500 and 10,000 versions if needed. But for me, the 3000ma is fine.
OH… And for what it’s worth, it’s definitely 100% pass-through. Doesn’t matter how many times I plug in or unplug the power pack from the unit, the cameras never blip, never reset, never bounce, just keep on trucking.
Good idea about the 12vdc. I was only concerned about the 5vdc. Luckily my satellite mesh has its own UPS.
I will have to see if I have any 12 vdc opportunities. I have three power stations for an emergency cooler and 12v TV. Luckily I didn’t need the big generator this hurricane season, so far.