Blink Camera Starts Recording Too Late? – (Instant Fix)

If your Blink camera starts recording too late, don’t panic. We’re here to help!

Whenever your Blink camera records too late, you’re wasting the impressive features it’s capable of.

It suggests it’s not responding to the trigger events, which you must fix.

To get your Blink camera to start recording on time, ensure your internet is fast and stable. You also want to change your camera’s settings, such as its motion sensitivity and retrigger time.

Alright, let’s move on with the solutions!

10 Quick Solutions to Fix Blink Camera Starts Recording Too Late

Fortunately, there are some easy and effective solutions to fix the problem and improve your Blink camera’s recording speed and quality. 

#1: Verify Your WiFi Network Speed

The most common culprit is a slow or unstable internet connection.

If your WiFi speed is not fast or consistent enough, it will affect the communication between your Blink camera and the cloud server.

To fix this, first, verify your WiFi network speed.

1. Download a speed test app on your device. 
2. Ensure your device and Blink camera are connected to the same WiFi.
3. Run the speed test and check the results.

Note: You should have at least 2 Mbps upload speed and 5 Mbps download speed for optimal performance.

If your WiFi speed is too slow or unstable, use some of these tips to improve it:

• Move your router closer to your Blink camera or vice versa.
• Use a WiFi extender or repeater to boost signal strength and range. 
• Change your WiFi channel or frequency to avoid interference.
• Upgrade your router or internet plan to a faster and more reliable one.  

#2: Check the Camera’s Battery Level

If you still have a Blink camera slow to start recording problem after upgrading your internet, check your device’s battery.

If the battery level is too low, it will affect your camera’s performance and responsiveness. 

1. Launch the Blink app. 
2. Tap the Settings icon at the lower right corner of your screen.
3. Select Manage Account.
4. Tap on Cameras.
5. Select the camera you want to check and tap on Battery Level.

You will see a percentage indicating how much battery power your Blink camera has left. Ideally, it should have at least 50% for optimal performance. 

Do some of these to improve your camera’s battery:

• Replace the old batteries with new ones.
• Use high-quality Lithium AA batteries compatible with your Blink camera model.
• Turn off features that consume more battery power. 

Note: Enable notifications or alerts for low battery levels to stay informed in real-time.

#3: Clean Your Camera’s Lens

A dirty or obstructed lens affects your camera’s ability to detect motion and clear images.

To avoid problems with your Blink device, clean the lens by doing the following.

1. Turn off your camera.
2. Remove it from its mount.
3. Use a soft microfiber cloth or a lens cleaning wipe to wipe dust, dirt, or smudges.
4. Reattach your device to its mount.
5. Turn on your Blink camera.

Note: Do not use harsh or abrasive chemicals or liquids, as they will damage your camera's lens. 

#4: Reposition Your Camera

Positioning your camera too far or too high will reduce its field of view and motion sensitivity, leading to more false alarms and missed events.

To fix this, place your camera in an optimum position.

1. Turn off your camera and remove it from its mount.
2. Find a new location closer and lower to the area you want to monitor.
3. Use the Blink app to test the camera’s motion detection and image quality.
4. Tap the Live View button in the lower-left corner of your screen.
5. Tap the Motion Test button in the upper right corner.
6. Adjust the camera’s angle and direction until you get the best results.
7. Mount the camera again and turn it on.

Note: Ensure the location has a clear and unobstructed view of the area, with enough lighting and a strong WiFi signal. 

#5: Adjust the Retrigger Time

Adjust the retrigger time if you still have a Blink camera slow to record problems after repositioning your device.

A lengthy retrigger time results in recording gaps and the potential to miss important moments. 

Info: The default retrigger time is 10 seconds. 

To adjust it, follow these steps:

1. Open the Blink app on your phone.
2. Tap the Settings icon in the upper right corner.
3. Tap on the Camera tab.
4. Select the camera you want to adjust the retrigger time for.
5. Tap on Motion Settings.
6. Select Retrigger Time.
7. Use the slider to adjust the retrigger time. 
8. Tap on Save.

Note: The ideal retrigger time depends on your camera’s location and the motion type you aim to detect. Set the retrigger time for fast motion with shorter values and vice versa.

#6: Change the Motion Detection Sensitivity

Another solution is changing the motion detection sensitivity of your Blink camera.

If the motion detection sensitivity is too low, it will disregard minor movements and capture only significant motion.

1. Open the Blink app.
2. Tap the Settings icon. 
3. Tap the Camera tab.
4. Select the camera you want to adjust the motion detection sensitivity for. 
5. Tap on Motion Settings.
6. Select Sensitivity.
7. Use the slider to increase the sensitivity.
8. Tap on Save.

The default setting is 5, so you’ll need to increase it more than this value, especially if you’ve already lowered it in the past.

Note: If you increase the motion detection sensitivity, raise the retrigger time, too, to prevent the camera from recording short, false alarms. 

#7: Increase the Clip Length on the Blink App

If your Blink camera stops recording after a certain duration, you will miss the rest of the action.

To fix this, increase the clip length on the Blink app.

1. Open the Blink app.
2. Tap the Settings icon. 
3. Tap on the Camera tab.
4. Select the camera you want to increase the clip length for.
5. Tap on Motion Settings.
6. Select Clip Length.
7. Use the slider to increase the clip length.
8. Tap on Save.

The default setting is 10 seconds, while the maximum clip length is 60 seconds.

If you have a Blink Mini, the maximum is 30 seconds, but with a Blink subscription plan, it’s 120 seconds. 

Tip: If you increase the clip length, raise the retrigger time to prevent the camera from recording short, overlapping clips.  

#8: Disable the End Clip Early If Motion Stops Features

The End Clip Early feature stops the recording when the motion ceases and doesn’t capture the aftermath.

Turn off this feature if your Blink camera starts recording late.

1. Open the Blink app. 
2. Tap on the Settings icon. 
3. Select the Camera tab.
4. Tap the camera you want to turn off the feature for.
5. Tap on Motion Settings.
6. Toggle off the End Clip Early if Motion Stops setting.
7. Tap on Save.

#9: Update Your Camera’s Firmware

An outdated or corrupted firmware is another culprit for Blink camera begins recording too late.

To update your camera’s firmware, follow these steps:

1. Open the Blink app.
2. Tap on the Settings icon.
3. Tap on Camera.
4. Select the camera you want to update the firmware for. 
5. You will see a notification on your screen if an update is available.
6. Tap on the notification to start the update.
7. Wait for a few minutes for the update to complete.
8. Once done, the camera will restart.

Note: Do not disconnect your camera from the internet or power source during the update.

#10: Set a Static IP for Your Camera in Your Router Settings

If the IP address is dynamic and changes frequently, it will cause communication issues between your Blink camera and the cloud server and conflicts with other devices on your network.

To fix this, set a static IP in your router settings. 

1. Open your web browser on your computer.
2. Enter your router’s IP address in the address bar.
3. Log in to your router’s admin page using your username and password.
4. Navigate to DHCP Clients, LAN Status, or Device List.
5. Find your Blink camera on the list and note down its MAC address.
6. Navigate to DHCP Reservation, Static Leases, or Address Reservation.
7. Enter the MAC address of your Blink camera.
8. Assign it a static IP address within your network’s range.
9. Save your settings and reboot your router and camera.  

Note: Record the assigned static IP address for future reference and consistency. 

If you continue to experience errors with your Blink camera, we recommend that you contact Blink Support for technical assistance.

Quick Recap

If your Blink camera starts recording too late, it is likely due to a slow or unstable internet.

To resolve this, check your WiFi network speed and improve the signal strength.

Adjust the retrigger time and motion detection sensitivity settings if this doesn’t work.