Mercury Innovation’s Geeni camera brand smart security camera is one of the most budget-friendly options on the market. It is more affordable and features compared to other brands in the security camera market. Unfortunately, once your Geeni camera goes offline you may lose access to one of its security features, making it important to address the issue immediately.
There are several reasons why your Geeni camera may go offline, such as it being disconnected from your network or due to a power supply interruption. Additionally, a weak signal may prevent the camera from successfully syncing with the Geeni server.
Don’t be afraid to tackle this problem, though, as I’ll walk you through the troubleshooting steps in this post to help you get your camera back online and restore Smart functionality.
Why Is My Geeni Camera Offline?
Typically, the Geeni camera tends to go offline when it loses connection to your Wi-Fi or experiences a power disruption. When the camera can’t sync to the cloud servers, the app marks it as offline.
Several common issues might lead to this offline problem on Geeni devices:
- Power loss, like during an outage.
- Weak Wi-Fi signal or network disconnection.
- Changes in Wi-Fi settings; ensure your device settings match.
- Network congestion, which can reduce router bandwidth.
- Checking and Updating the Geeni App.
- Geeni server issues.
For a power outage, a simple restart after the camera reconnects to Wi-Fi often resolves the problem. Before diving into detailed troubleshooting, power cycle the camera by unplugging it for a minute or two, and then reconnecting it.
How do I get my Geeni outlet back online?
Make sure to reboot your camera and confirm that it’s plugged into a functional power source to restore its online status. Once the device restarts, allow some time for it to initialize and establish a connection with your home network. Refresh the Geeni app and verify if the camera is now back online.
In case you need to restart or remove a connected device, keep in mind that power cycling requires someone to be physically present to manually disconnect the camera from the power source.
Follow these troubleshooting suggestions to successfully bring your camera back online.
Power cycle the camera
- Turn Off: Locate the power source of your Geeni camera and turn it off.
- Unplug: Disconnect the camera from its power supply, ensuring a complete power cutoff.
- Wait: Allow a brief interval (about 10-15 seconds) for residual power to dissipate.
- Reconnect: Plug the camera back into the power source.
- Turn On: Power up the Geeni camera and observe for reconnection indicators.
This strategic power cycle often resolves transient issues, providing a fresh start for your Geeni camera.
Verify if the device is powered
If your smart device suddenly goes offline, it might just be due to accidentally switching off the main power or a tripped outlet. To troubleshoot, ensure your camera is connected to a working outlet, and check for the LED indicator light to confirm the connection. Verify the camera power LED to ensure it’s powered up.
After a power outage, some or all of your devices may run offline. A quick fix is to reboot the devices, starting with the router to avoid overwhelming it with IP address requests. Unplug the device from the outlet, wait a minute, and reconnect it to restore power.
This method is particularly useful for resolving the “Geeni device offline after a power outage” issue. After restarting, wait about two minutes for the devices to initialize and connect. Refresh the Geeni app to see if your camera is back online.
Power Outages
During power outages, Geeni cameras may lose connectivity. Identify outages by checking other devices. If a blackout is confirmed, wait for power restoration. For prolonged outages, consider a backup power source. Geeni cameras typically reconnect automatically, but manual intervention may be needed. Consult the camera’s user manual for specific instructions on handling extended power disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted surveillance after power is restored.
Check router connectivity
Losing network connectivity is a common reason why your device might go offline. When the connection drops, some devices struggle to reconnect independently and may require a bit of assistance.
To troubleshoot, check your network by connecting a phone or tablet and attempting to browse the internet. If you experience disconnections or notice a weak network signal, reach out to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to resolve the issue.
For smart cameras to function optimally, a robust and stable internet connection is crucial for seamless syncing with servers. Your home internet should be reliable to ensure a successful smart home setup. Conducting a speed test can help assess network speed and quality. If the network is functioning properly but the device remains offline, it could be due to network overcrowding—try reducing the number of connected devices.
Any alterations to your network settings, such as changing the Wi-Fi password or security type, should be updated on all connected devices. After adjusting router settings, like in the Geeni app, remove the device, reset if needed, and reconnect to the updated network.
Keep in mind that Geeni cameras only work with a 2.4 GHz network. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands under one SSID, consider separating them into two networks to prevent conflicts and connect devices to the appropriate frequency.
In cases of persistent offline issues, power cycling both the router and device often proves effective. Simply unplug the router, wait 1 to 3 minutes, and reconnect. Repeat the process for the smart device after the router is back online.
Move Your Closer The Camera
Optimal placement is crucial for stable connectivity. If your Geeni camera is too far from the router, signal strength may suffer. Consider relocating the camera closer to the router to enhance Wi-Fi reception. Obstructions such as walls and interference from other electronic devices can also impact signal quality.
Experiment with different locations until you find the ideal spot, ensuring a stronger connection and minimizing the chances of your Geeni camera going offline due to distance-related issues.
Factory Reset the Geeni Camera
If your camera is powered and connected to Wi-Fi but still shows an offline error, a corrupted file might be the culprit. To fix this, reset the camera to default settings, eliminating software bugs and corrupt files.
Before resetting, remove the camera from the app: go to the home screen, select the camera, tap the top right “…” button, scroll down, and choose “Remove Device.”
To initiate a reset for your Geeni camera, simply press and hold the reset button for 5 – 10 seconds. Listen for the voice prompt and observe the flashing indicator light, indicating pairing mode.
Reconnect through the Geeni app:
- Launch the Geeni app on your smart device.
- Press the “+” icon to add a device.
- Select “smart camera.”
- Follow in-app prompts to reconnect to your home network.
Once the app connects to the camera, the offline issue should be resolved.
Firmware Updates
Access the Geeni camera app, check the current firmware version, and look for updates. Follow the simple steps to firmware updates:
- Open the Geeni camera app and navigate to device settings.
- Locate the current firmware version of your camera.
- Verify if a newer firmware version is available.
- If an update is available, follow the prompts to download and install.
- After installation, restart the camera to apply the updates.
- Confirm the updated firmware version in the settings.
Regularly updating firmware ensures your Geeni camera benefits from the latest features and security enhancements.
Final Thoughts
If your Geeni camera goes offline due to a loss in server communication, it’s likely caused by a network problem or a power outage. Your priority is to bring the camera back online and pinpoint the root cause to prevent future disruptions.
Once you’ve identified the issue, take proactive steps like ensuring the camera has power and is within a good Wi-Fi range. Keep both your Geeni app and camera firmware updated. Check the SD card’s storage if one is inserted, as a full card might trigger the offline problem and require formatting.
External factors like power outages and server downtime are unavoidable, but adapt to the situation and explore available solutions. If all else fails, reach out to Geeni customer support with your details for assistance in troubleshooting your smart camera.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How do I turn Geeni online?
A: Check the power supply, ensure proper connectivity to the Wi-Fi network, and verify the camera’s online status in the app. Troubleshoot using power cycling or other relevant steps.
Q: How do I reconnect my Geeni to Wi-Fi?
A: Access the Geeni app, locate your device in settings, choose “Wi-Fi,” and follow the prompts to reconnect. Ensure correct Wi-Fi credentials are entered.
Q: Why do my smart devices keep going offline?
A: Offline issues may result from power interruptions, weak Wi-Fi signals, or firmware glitches. Troubleshoot by power cycling, checking connectivity, and ensuring the latest firmware updates. Adjust device placement for better signal strength.
