Resetting your SimpliSafe outdoor camera is an easy process that allows you to restore the device to its original factory settings. This can come in handy if you are experiencing issues with connectivity, need to pair the camera to a new system, or want to clear out any saved settings before gifting the device to someone else.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the step-by-step instructions to successfully reset your SimpliSafe outdoor camera.
What You Need to Reset Your SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera
Resetting your SimpliSafe outdoor camera is simple and straightforward. Here are the things you will need:
- The SimpliSafe outdoor camera you want to reset. This guide will work for any of SimpliSafe’s outdoor cameras including the Outdoor Camera, Outdoor Camera Pro, and Wireless Outdoor Camera.
- Access to the SimpliSafe mobile app. You will use the app to initiate the reset process. Make sure you have the latest version installed.
- The login details for your SimpliSafe account. You will need to be logged into the mobile app to reset the camera.
- A paper clip or SIM eject tool. This is used to press the reset button on the camera.
And that’s it! As long as you have those four things, you are ready to reset your SimpliSafe outdoor security camera.
Step 1: Open the SimpliSafe Mobile App
The first step is to open up the SimpliSafe mobile app on your smartphone or tablet. This is available for both iOS and Android devices.
Once you have the app open, log into your SimpliSafe account using your username and password credentials. This will give you access to all of the controls for your SimpliSafe devices.
If you have multiple systems set up under your account, make sure to select the appropriate system that the outdoor camera is associated with.
Step 2: Navigate to the Camera Settings
After logging in, you will see a list of all the devices that are connected to your SimpliSafe system.
Tap on the entry for the specific SimpliSafe outdoor camera you want to reset. This will bring up the individual settings for that camera.
At the very top is a button that says “Settings”. Tap this to access the camera settings menu.
Step 3: Scroll Down and Tap “Reset Camera”
Within the camera settings menu, scroll all the way down to the bottom.
There you will see a section called “Reset Camera”. Tap the blue “Reset Camera” button.
This will initiate the reset process, deleting all settings, connectivity, and data from the camera and restoring it to out-of-the-box conditions.
Step 4: Confirm the Reset on the Pop-Up
After tapping the Reset Camera button, a pop-up will appear asking you to confirm that you want to reset the camera.
On this pop-up, tap the red “Reset Camera” button to confirm that you do indeed want to reset the device.
This will make your SimpliSafe app forget the camera and delete any saved activity clips, customizations, or connection details. So only hit confirm if you are sure you want to reset!
Step 5: Press and Hold the Reset Button on the Camera
With the reset confirmed in the app, now it is time to physically reset the camera hardware.
On the back of the SimpliSafe outdoor camera, there is a very small pinhole. This is the reset button.
Use a paper clip or SIM eject tool to press and continually hold this reset button for 5-10 seconds.
After holding for 5-10 seconds, let go of the reset button. The camera LED lights will flash to indicate the reset is in progress.
The physical reset button press clears any cached memory and completes the hardware reset of your SimpliSafe outdoor camera.
Step 6: Wait for the Camera to Reboot
With the reset button held down, your SimpliSafe outdoor camera will now reboot itself.
The LED lights on the device will flash as it goes through this reboot process, which takes about 1-2 minutes.
It is important not to do anything else with the camera while this reset reboot is happening. Just wait patiently as the camera restarts itself.
Once the reboot is complete, the LED lights will return to normal operation and you can move on to re-configuring your camera.
Step 7: Repair the Camera with Your SimpliSafe System
Now that the SimpliSafe outdoor camera has been completely reset, the final step is to set it up again as a new device on your system.
Open up the SimpliSafe mobile app again and tap “Add New Device”. Follow the prompts to add the outdoor camera like it was brand new.
This will re-establish the connection and allow you to build all your custom settings again from scratch.
And that’s it! In just a few quick steps, you successfully reset your SimpliSafe outdoor camera back to factory default settings. Enjoy setting up your like-new camera again!
Frequently Asked Questions About Resetting SimpliSafe Outdoor Cameras
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about how to reset SimpliSafe outdoor security cameras:
Does resetting delete all my saved video clips?
Yes, resetting your SimpliSafe outdoor camera will delete any video clips or activity history that was saved on the device. Be sure to download anything you want to keep before resetting.
Can I reset the camera if I don’t have the app?
No, the app is required to tell the camera to perform a reset. You won’t be able to reset without access to the SimpliSafe mobile app.
How long does the outdoor camera take to reset?
The reset process itself only takes a few seconds. But waiting for the full reboot and getting the camera fully up and running again can take 5-10 minutes.
Will I have to completely set up the camera from scratch after resetting?
Yes, after a reset the camera will not remember any of your previous settings. You will need to set it up as a new device, choosing settings and options as if you just bought it.
Does resetting impact any other SimpliSafe devices?
No, resetting your SimpliSafe outdoor camera will have no effect on the rest of your SimpliSafe system, sensors, or other cameras. Only that specific camera is reset.
Can I reset the camera if I forgot my account password?
Unfortunately no, you will need to log into the SimpliSafe app with your account credentials in order to reset the outdoor camera.
How do I reboot my camera without resetting it?
You can power cycle the camera to reboot it without resetting by unplugging it and plugging it back in. Or you can use the “Restart Camera” option in the app.
Resetting Your SimpliSafe Camera to Troubleshoot Issues
If your SimpliSafe outdoor camera is malfunctioning or acting erratically, one troubleshooting step you can take is resetting the device. Resetting can resolve software glitches, connectivity problems, and other issues to get your camera working properly again.
Here are some common problems that can potentially be fixed by resetting your SimpliSafe outdoor security camera:
- Camera no longer connects to WiFi: If your camera suddenly cannot connect to your home WiFi network, a reset may clear out any corrupt network settings and allow you to enter the details again from scratch.
- Problems streaming live video: Issues streaming live video feeds from the camera could possibly be cleared up by resetting the device completely.
- False alerts or inaccurate activity: Glitchy AI detection that triggers false alerts may be rectified by resetting to factory AI models.
- Syncing errors or connectivity issues: General glitches when trying to sync or communicate with your camera can be debugged by completely wiping the camera memory and settings.
- Preparing camera for a new owner: If you are giving away or selling your used SimpliSafe camera, be sure to reset it first so no old data remains on the device.
If you try less drastic troubleshooting steps but your outdoor camera still seems to have software issues or glitches, resetting it to factory conditions is worth a shot before completely replacing the device. Just be sure your important video history and settings are backed up!
Alternative Ways to Reset Your SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera
While the mobile app method is the recommended way to reset your SimpliSafe outdoor camera, there are some other reset options available:
- Factory reset using voice assistant: If you have your SimpliSafe system linked to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can use voice commands to factory reset your camera. Just say “Alexa/Hey Google, reset my SimpliSafe outdoor camera.”
- Reset via the SimpliSafe web app: Log into your SimpliSafe account on the web at simplisafe.com. You can reset cameras through the web app also.
- DIY hardware reset: If you no longer have access to SimpliSafe accounts, you can do a DIY reset by quickly power cycling the camera 10 times in a row.
- SimpliSafe customer support: As a last resort, you can contact SimpliSafe support and they can send a remote signal to reset your outdoor camera to factory conditions.
But the mobile app method is preferable if available, since it is the fastest and simplest way to confirm and complete the camera reset process.
Steps to Take After Resetting Your SimpliSafe Camera
Once you’ve successfully reset your SimpliSafe outdoor security camera, there are a few next steps to take to get it fully up and running again:
- Reinstall the camera: You will need to install the newly reset camera in the SimpliSafe app again, by adding a new device and following the setup prompts.
- Mount the camera: Mount or position your camera in the desired location, using the provided mounting plate and hardware. Make sure it is stable and secured.
- Dial in position: Open up the live view of your reset camera and dial in the perfect position by panning, tilting, and zooming the lens.
- Update software: Check for any SimpliSafe app or firmware updates to ensure your reset camera is running the latest software.
- Turn on notifications: In the SimpliSafe app, re-enable notifications for this specific camera to be alerted when motion is detected.
- Adjust sensitivity: Tweak the motion detection sensitivity slider in the app to reduce false alerts and customize for your environment.
- Set activity zones: Use the app to designate activity zones that will actually trigger motion alerts when crossed.
Following these tips after a reset will quickly get your SimpliSafe outdoor camera back up and capturing video in no time!
How to Reset a SimpliSafe Camera Using the Mobile App Video Guide
Here is a quick video walking through the key steps to reset your SimpliSafe outdoor security camera using the mobile app: https://www.youtube.com/embed/v9-uuK2Sr6U
As you can see, using the SimpliSafe mobile app to reset your outdoor camera is an easy, straightforward process! Just be sure to confirm the reset and then hold down the pinhole reset button on the camera itself to complete the process.
Conclusion
Resetting your SimpliSafe outdoor camera restores it to original factory settings, which can fix issues, prepare it for a new owner, or get a fresh start configuring motion settings and connectivity options.
The key steps are accessing the reset option in the SimpliSafe mobile app, confirming the reset, holding the hardware reset button on the camera, and waiting patiently during reboot.
After the reset is complete, you will need to fully reinstall the outdoor camera on your SimpliSafe system as if it was brand new.
Resetting your SimpliSafe outdoor camera takes just a few minutes and can get your security camera working like new again. Just be sure your video clips are backed up, and you are ready to reconfigure your camera’s settings.