Blink Sync Module loosing connection

[#1]

My blink external camera set up worked fine for about 4 years with Hub1. Before it Recently developed intermittent connectivity issues which have now become more permanent. I have repeatedly done the suggested rebooting sync module, rebooting individual cameras and even installing Hub2. and later rebooting Hub2  in a variety of combinations and orders. Sometimes it works for an hour & sometimes for a day. Sometimes Sync module stays on line (or at least it doesn't say 'offline') but doesn't actually record anything. I have checked all appliances are on latest software. There is no new tech that might be interfering. I have moved Sync module close to Hub2 , I have tried a brand new sync module. NOTHING has worked for any length of time. I even brought an outside camera into the same room as the Sync module and the Hub2. It worked but the network strength was 1 dot. 

My wifi tests suggest a strength of 73 mbps down 18 up. 

Its groundhog day dealing with Blink as they repeat the same suggestions re the above and expect a different outcome and never answer the questions as to why it should suddenly become problem or what they might have changed in the last few weeks.

I thought I would see if any bright spark on here might have a new suggestion for either the cause or (fingers crossed) a solution.

I appreciate there have been previous threads on here and on Blink forums and I believe I have read them all and incorporated any suggestions into my attempts to find a solution.

[#2]

Before I unpack mine to replace my Ring doorbell, am I likely to have problems with this then? or are you potentially just being unlucky?

[#3]

Sorry to say I just don't know? Worked fine and now its is useless for no apparent reason.

[#4]

@nottechy I have no direct experience of the Blink system but AIUI the Sync module connects using the 2.4ghz wireless band to the router, the cameras then use a low frequency (900mhz) band to connect to the sync module.

So the first thing to check is whether the Sync module is losing connection to the Hub. Check the event log (Advanced settings->Technical log->Event log) for associated/disassociated events for the Sync module.

If that's the case then we can look at possible changes to the HUb wireless configuration to improve things

[#5]

@nottechy 

Some time back, I had a similar situation with a Ring Doorbell Camera.

At the time I put the issue down to a congested 2.4GHz channel, so I changed the Hub Two Channel selection from Smart Channel to a defined channel. From the Hub two Home >Advanced Settings >Wireless 

Only channels 1,6 and 11 are available to prevent channel overlap.

Strangely since making this change even though Channel 1 can the most congested channel the Ring Camera still maintains it's connection. Never really put much thought into the issue since I made the change.

[#6]

I had similar with my Blink Camera about 6 months ago.  After trying a few bits with Blink Support they told me to try getting a new Sync module.  It's worked fine since then.

[#7]

Hi, Yes I have checked the event log and there are a lot of disconnections, but many of which would be accounted for by me doing the turning off and on routine but some are when I was away so are not explained by that. I attach a file showing the event log as the entries following the disconnect might explain why it didn’t reconnect. To me, nontechnical, it would appear it was trying but failing.

All help much appreciated. 

[#8]

Sadly using a new as in unused sync module didn’t work for me. But I have asked Blink if the changed performance could be something to do with any sync module software changes that both my modules are missing. Sync firmware is showing as 4.5.30. Does that match yours? 

[#9]

Dan_the_Man, 

I had scanned the channels yesterday and I think it left it unchanged on ‘smart(channel 11)’. 
Manually changing the channels is Something new for me try! 

[#10]

It does look like its struggling to stay connected. If you've got a smart phone, then try using a wifi analyser in the vicinity of the Sync module . I use this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=abdelrahman.wifianalyzerpro&hl=en_GB on my Android phone. I dont have any Iphones but I'm sure there's similar apps available.

Look to see how congested the 2.4ghz band and see if there's a better channel and then change manually to that channel on the Hub 2 as @Dan_the_Van suggested.

See if that improves things...

edit:

I had scanned the channels yesterday and I think it left it unchanged on ‘smart(channel 11)’. 

The problem with scanning on the router is that it looks at the bands from the router location, it may be quite different if the Sync device is in a different location.

[#11]

This is a bit of an aside… but as I mentioned in the process of trying to find a solution I replaced my Hub1 and installed the Hub2 which had been sitting unused in its box for at least a couple of years. I assume the Hub2 will need software updates to catch-up to the latest software. How and when will that happen?

No one has mentioned it on this thread but generally googling this problem the suggestion for weak signal etc has often been extenders or access points or mesh routers. But equipment that relays signals seem to add to any congestion and access points require a wired connection and cabling around the house. All with apparently a low probability of success. 

[#12]

I've got a Blink doorbell.

I'm working up to doing an Amazon review after a few months of use but my summary would be "slightly rubbish".

I've the "sync module" and no subscription.

I would say put the sync module somewhere with strong WiFi and give it a 2.4GHz only network.

I don't use Plusnet's router and so the doorbell and sync module are on a guest network on their own (I don't trust the thing).

Whether the doorbell itself talks to the Sync module via WiFi or something else I don't really know although I do see the doorbell join the WiFi network when it detects someone or the push is pressed.

Interestingly I found the clip retrieval mildly better once the "free" subscription ended and it was getting the clips from the sync module USB stick.

My (limited) researches suggested that the Blink was one of the less rubbish options and at least it doesn't require funding each month (at the moment at least).

Hope that in some way helps.

[#13]

Since my last post I have created a wireless access point, using an ethernet connected Plusnet Hub Zero, (surprisingly easy following advice posted on here years ago)& added a second Blink sync module attached to the wap Wi-Fi and connected one camera to that.
Then added smart plugs to enable me to reboot cameras and sync modules, if necessary when away from home.

And downloaded airportutlity app to view the various in range Wi-Fi channels. Based on the results I set the wap up on ch 6 and moved existing Plusnet Hub 2 from 11 to 1.
And so far the blink cameras have worked ok.

But today the network strength on both Wi-Fi channels, as shown on Blink settings app, have dropped considerably and one is down to one dot which I think might previously has coincided with the sync modules going off line and the cameras not working.

Today, looking at airportutility I am not aware of increased traffic, but I am not very clear where all these Wi-Fi users are. Am I correct in assuming each Alexa device and possibly even the smart plugs will add to 2.4 Wi-Fi interference & show on airport utility as an unnamed device eg ‘7A:86:60:77:6A:77’. ? From the names I can see many must be Internet users on EE, TalkTalk, BT, etc in neighbouring properties
Today my Plusnet routers are showing around RSSI-30 ish dBm when they were showing 60-80 dBm a few days ago. Could it be there is fluctuation with my received internet strength, an unstable line or something else?
As you can tell from my username my 70 year old brain is somewhat challenged by the mystery. 

[#14]

@nottechy 

The airport utility will only display active wireless access point (WAP) devices. not WiFi users. So you may see some WAP come and go which is normal.

Your attached screen shot show two plusnet hubs.

PLUSNET-3FCP will be your Hub two, you mention a device ‘7A:86:60:77:6A:77', I note there is also ‘6A:86:60:77:6A:29

Both of these are from the Hub Two and can be ignored they are unused and have no impact on performance.

RSSI signal is a negative figure 0dB being strongest, so the signal -36 dBm is stronger than -60 dBm. It is not unusual for signal strength to vary if the monitoring device moves location.

Using the AirPort Utility are you selecting the least used channel? Sometimes the least used channel could have the strongest signal adjacent WAP.

Do you have a microsoft windows PC with a wifi connections? There is a wireless sniffer which would give clearer results than the apple utility, search in the windows store for "WiFi Analyser by Matt Hafner"