Tapo Camera Red Light? – (6 Verified Fixes!)

What does the Tapo camera red light mean, and how do you fix it? Let’s find out in this article! A solid red usually indicates the camera is starting up.

However, it should turn off right away, but if you experience other symptoms, you’re facing an issue that requires resolution. 

To get the red light on your Tapo camera to turn off, reconnect it to your WiFi to refresh its link with your router. Resetting it using Tapo’s official method also helps in resolving this.

Alright, let’s discuss the specifics. 

Tapo Camera Red Light – 6 Verified Fixes to Get the Job Done

We looked everywhere to find the best ways to fix the problem, and we’ve found proven solutions that have helped many Tapo users.

Apply them one at a time until you find one that works for you. 

What the Red Light Means

Before we start, let’s understand what the Tapo camera red light means.

This will help you tackle issues more effectively. 

1. A solid red light means the camera is starting up, resetting, or updating its firmware. It can also indicate a hardware problem.
2. A blinking red light means the camera has trouble connecting to the network or a problem with the firmware.
3. A red light that turns off after a few seconds is normal and usually means the camera is starting up or restarting.

If the red light is on for more than a few seconds, it indicates an issue that needs to be addressed.

Before Your Start

Before you start, you should do some basic troubleshooting steps first. These steps are easy and quick and may solve the problem without hassle.

Here are some of them:

• Ensure your camera is plugged in properly. 
• Check the WiFi signal strength of your camera.
• Ensure your camera is close to your router and has a good internet connection.
• Update your Tapo app to the latest version.

If these steps don’t work, proceed to the next section.  

1. Power Cycle to Discharge Your Tapo Camera

If the red light on your Tapo camera stays on for more than a few seconds, it indicates residual electricity in the camera or temporary glitches.

The first thing you should do, in this case, is power cycle your camera.

To do this, unplug it from the power source, then wait at least 2 minutes before plugging it again. 

Here are the steps:

1. Unplug the power adapter of your Tapo camera from the wall socket. 
2. Wait for at least two minutes.
3. Plug the power adapter back into the wall socket. 
4. Wait for the camera to boot up.
5. See if the red light goes away. 

If this doesn’t do the trick, advance to the next troubleshooting step. 

2. Reconnect the Camera to Your WiFi

A Tapo camera red light flashing means your camera has trouble connecting to the network.

If you notice this on your device, reconnect it to your WiFi network.

This will refresh the network settings of your camera and ensure it is connected to the internet. 

To do this, follow these steps: 

1. Open the Tapo app on your smartphone.
2. Tap on the Settings icon. 
3. Select Device Settings.
4. Choose WiFi Settings.
5. Tap on Change WiFi.
6. Select your WiFi network.
7. Enter your password.
8. Tap on Next and wait for the camera to reconnect to your WiFi.
9. See if the flashing red light goes away. 

Note: The Tapo app will connect the camera to your WiFi network. The process will take a few minutes, but once the camera is connected, the LED light will turn solid green. 

If this doesn’t get the job done, move on to the next method. 

3. Change Your Camera’s Password

Another effective solution to fix the Tapo camera’s right light issue involves changing your camera’s password.

By doing this, you essentially reset the security settings of your device and prevent any unauthorised access. Choose a strong and unique password to maximise security. 

Here’s how to change your camera’s password:

1. Open the Tapo app on your smartphone.
2. Tap on the Settings icon.
3. Select Device Settings.
4. Choose Camera Settings.
5. Hit Change Password and enter your current and new password. 
6. Tap on Save. 
7. Wait for the camera to restart.

Tips:

• Do not use easily guessed passwords, such as your name or birthday.
• Use a password manager to help you create and manage strong passwords. 

Once you’ve changed the camera password, check if the red light issue is resolved.

If the problem persists, perform other solutions mentioned in the article.  

4. Use a Third-Party DNS on Your Router

The fourth solution is to use a third-party DNS on your router, which stands for Domain Name System.

Sometimes, it is blocked or corrupted by your Internet Service Provider or Tapo’s servers.

When this happens, your camera won’t be able to access the internet, causing the red light issue.   

To fix this, you need a third-party DNS service that is more reliable and secure, such as Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS.

Here is how to use one:

1. Find your router’s IP address on the label or the DHCP settings. 
2. Open the web browser on your computer.
3. Put down the IP address in the address bar.
4. Log in to your router’s web interface.
5. Navigate to the DNS Settings page.
6. Type the primary and secondary DNS addresses of a third-party DNS provider.
7. Save your changes and restart your router.

Here are some popular third-party DNS providers:

• Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
• Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.2
• Quad9 DNS: 9.9.9.9, 149.114.114.114
• OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220 

Once you’ve set up your router to use a third-party DNS, all devices connected to your network will utilise this DNS provider to translate domain names into IP addresses. 

5. Update Your Camera’s Firmware using the App

Sometimes, the firmware gets buggy or outdated, causing the Tapo camera solid red light issue.

To fix this, update your camera’s firmware to the latest version using the Tapo app.

This will improve your camera’s performance and stability and fix bugs or glitches. 

To do this, follow these steps:

1.  Open the Tapo app on your smartphone.
2. Tap on the Settings icon.
3. Select Device Settings.
4. Choose Firmware Update.
5. Tap on Check for Updates. 
6. If there’s an update available, click Update Now.
7. Wait for the camera to download and install the update. 
8. See if the solid red light goes away.

Important: Do not unplug or power off your Tapo camera while the firmware update is in progress.

Additional Tips:

• Ensure the camera has a strong internet connection. 
• Update the firmware when you don’t need to use the camera. 
• If the firmware update fails, restart the camera and update it again. 

If this doesn’t work, move on to the final solution. 

6. Reset Your Tapo Camera using Tapo’s Method

If the system’s LED light is showing a solid red, it could indicate a hardware problem with the camera caused by a firmware update failure, power outage, or thunder.

The most effective and definitive solution is to reset your Tapo camera using Tapo’s official method. 

However, it will also erase all the data and settings of your camera and restore it to its original state.

This means you’ll have to set up your camera from scratch, and you will lose your recordings and customisations. 

To reset your Tapo camera using Tapo’s method, follow these steps:

1. With your camera powered on, press the reset button for more than 5 seconds.
2. See if the LED light blinks red. 
3. Wait for 2 minutes.
4. Check if the system LED is flashing red and green. 

Note: You will also hear a voice message saying the Reset was done.  

If you’re still having problems after resetting your Tapo camera, it’s time to contact Tapo Support for further assistance. 

Quick Recap

In summary, the Tapo camera red light conveys your device’s current status, with solid red typically indicating the startup process.

If you encounter issues, it’s likely due to software or hard problems.

To resolve them, update the camera’s firmware through the Tapo app, and if this doesn’t work, reset your camera following Tapo’s instructions. 

To find additional troubleshooting articles on Tapo cameras, check out our blog!