Symptoms
- Notification arrives minutes after the actual event
- Recorded clip timestamp is much earlier than when the alert appeared
- Delay is worse for some cameras than others on the same network
- Delay increased recently without any changes made
Likely causes
- CommonWeak Wi-Fi signal at the camera slowing the event uploadThe camera has to upload the clip and event data before a notification can be sent, and a slow connection adds delay.
- CommonPhone's battery optimization delaying push notification deliveryAggressive power-saving settings on some phones intentionally batch or delay notifications.
- PossibleSlow or congested home internet upload speedMultiple cameras or heavy household internet use can queue up event uploads.
- PossibleCloud processing delay during high-traffic periodsServer-side congestion can add lag beyond your own network conditions.
- Less commonPhone not connected to a reliable mobile data or Wi-Fi connection when away from homeA weak connection on the phone's end, not the camera's, can also delay when the alert is received.
What to do
- Check and improve the camera's Wi-Fi signal strength at its location.
- Disable battery optimization or background restrictions for the app in your phone's settings.
- Run a home internet speed test, particularly upload speed, and reduce other bandwidth use during testing.
- Reduce video quality settings on the camera if adjustable, since smaller clips upload faster.
- Update both the camera firmware and the phone app to their latest versions.
- Test with the phone on both Wi-Fi and mobile data away from home to see where the delay originates.
- Contact the manufacturer's support if delays are consistent across strong connections and multiple phones.
When to call a pro
No professional needed for software settings; a network installer can help if weak signal is a persistent whole-property issue.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.