Why is my Blink’s ‘Sync Module Offline’ & How to Fix it

The Blink Sync Module functions as the central hub for the Blink wireless home security camera system. It serves as a connection point between your Wi-Fi network and the Blink cameras, enabling you to remotely control and access them. Its main role is to facilitate the transfer of data and video footage captured by the cameras, which can be conveniently viewed and managed using the Blink app.

With the assistance of the Blink Sync Module, you can effortlessly keep an eye on your home or other locations from a remote location. It provides features such as motion alerts and the ability to review recorded video footage, enhancing your security and providing peace of mind. However, if the sync module itself goes offline, all of these functionalities become inaccessible.

Common Scenarios

It can be pretty frustrating when you open the Blink app and it indicates that the Blink Sync Module is offline. This issue has been reported across various versions of Sync Modules and with different types of Blink Cameras. Moreover, it can occur with different network setups or routers.

How to Fix Blink Sync Module being Offline?

Before trying to fix this issue please make sure that:

• Your Internet is up and running.
• Check the online status of Blink servers.

If the servers and internet is running with any issues then you can start following our solutions down below.

Solution 1. Restart the Sync Module and Router

If the Sync Module fails to establish a proper handshake with the router, it will result in the module being offline. This situation can occur when the communication modules of the devices are experiencing errors. To address this problem, restart the Sync Module and the router.

Restart the Router

1. Power off the router and unplug its power cable.

   

2. Wait for a minute and plug back the power cable.
3. Power on the router and once properly powered on, see if the Blink Sync Module is online.

Restart the Sync Module

1. Unplug the power cord from the Sync Module and wait for 10 seconds.

   

2. Plug back the power cable and check if the issue is resolved.
3. If not, unplug the power cable of the Sync Module and power off the router.
4. Unplug the router’s power cable and wait for a minute.
5. Plug back the power cable and power on the router.
6. Once properly powered on, plug back the power cable of the Sync Module and verify if the problem is solved.

If you are a frequent traveler, then use a smart plug to connect the router and Sync Module to the power source. Then whenever the modules go offline, simply restart the smart plug remotely and that will do the trick. Another point to remember is that Blink Support can remotely restart the Sync Module if you are outstation.

Solution 2. Try Another Power Source

Insufficient current from the power outlet or a faulty power cable connected to the Sync Module can lead to intermittent power interruptions. As a result, the module will turn off and on, causing it to go offline. Unfortunately, these devices are known for having difficulty reconnecting to the network until the router is restarted. 

This can be fixed by using another power source or cable.

1. Disconnect the Sync Module from its current power outlet.
2. Connect the Sync Module to a different power outlet by using a different power cable (preferably, the genuine cable). Avoid using a surge protector or extension cable during this process.

   

3. Observe if this resolves the issue and stabilizes the online status of the module.

Solution 3. Disconnect Devices from the Network

When there is a malfunctioning device or a conflicting device on your network, it can cause disruptions to the Sync Module’s operation. This can lead to two possible scenarios: either the Wi-Fi network will come to a halt or the module itself will go offline. In such situations, disconnecting the problematic devices from the network will solve the problem.

Echo Dots are reported to cause this issue and if you have any of these in your network, it may be causing the problem.

1. Disconnect all devices from your network, leaving only the Sync Module connected.

   

2. Check if the problem is resolved and the Sync Module remains online without any issues.
3. If the Sync Module functions correctly, reconnect your devices to the network one by one, starting with the most essential or frequently used devices.
4. Monitor the network after each device is connected to identify if any particular device causes the Sync Module to go offline.
5. Once the problematic device is identified, you may need to investigate further or seek assistance to address the issue specific to that device.

Solution 4. Disable Mobile Data on the Phone

If you encounter the issue of the Sync Module going offline when adding it to the Blink app, it could be due to the app attempting to utilize mobile data to connect with the module, resulting in issues. Some mobile phones tend to automatically switch to mobile data when Wi-Fi signals are weak.

Here, disabling the mobile data on the phone will solve the problem.

On an iOS device, go to Settings > Mobile Data or Cellular, and disable it.

On an Android phone:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Internet.

   

    
2. Tap on Settings, next to the service provider name (such as Airtel) and disable Mobile Data.

   

3. Launch the Blink app and check if the Sync Module problem is solved

Solution 5. Enable Local Network Access for the Blink App (iOS Only)

Enabling Local Network Access for the Blink app is essential to ensure proper communication with the Sync Module on iOS devices. Without this feature enabled, the app will be unable to connect with the module, resulting in its offline status.

Therefore, enabling Local Network Access for the Blink app will solve the problem.

1. Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Local Network.

   

2. In the list of apps, locate Blink and enable it. Verify if the Blink Sync Module is not offline anymore.

Solution 6. Enable 2.4 GHz Band on the Router

To maintain a stable connection with Blink Sync Modules, it is crucial to ensure they are connected to the 2.4 GHz band on your router. These IoT devices, like many others, are natively incompatible with the 5 GHz band, which can lead to frequent offline status.

If you encounter this issue, enabling the 2.4 GHz band on your router will get the job done and allow the Blink Sync Modules to remain online consistently.

1. Navigate to the admin portal of your router and go to Settings > Wireless Settings.
2. Enable 2.4 GHz and disable 5 GHz.

   

3. Save the changes and restart the router.
4. Connect the Sync Module to the 2.4 GHz and see if it has become online.

Solution 7. Re-add the Sync Module to the Blink App

Sync Module is the central hub of a Blink cameras system and if its configurations within the app are not valid anymore, the app will show the module as offline. This can happen due to a network change. To address this problem, re-add the sync module to the Blink app.

1. Launch the Blink app and navigate to the system where the Sync Module is present.
2. Select the Sync Module and tap on Delete Sync Module.

   

3. Scan the QR code shown and confirm to remove the Sync Module. Scanning the QR code will keep all previously connected cameras and will be automatically added back when the Sync Module is readded.
4. Go to the Home screen of the Blink app and tap on the plus icon.
5. Select the option of the Sync Module and use the phone’s camera to scan the QR code shown.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process and once done, check if the offline issue of Sync Module is resolved.

Solution 8. Rename SSID or Enable Guest Wi-Fi

If the network configurations in the operational memory of the Blink Sync Module are not valid anymore, the module will fail to connect to the network and thus will remain offline. To solve this, rename SSID (Service Set Identifier) or enable the guest Wi-Fi on the router.

Rename SSID

1. Go to the router’s admin portal and go to Settings > Wireless Settings.
2. Change the Wireless Network Name (SSID) and save the changes.

   

3. Restart the router and connect the Sync Module to the newly named Wi-Fi network. Check if the Sync Module is no more offline.

Enable Guest Wi-Fi

1. Navigate to the router’s web portal and go to More Functions > Wi-Fi Settings > Guest Wi-Fi.

   

2. Enable it and fill out the details as per your requirements.
3. Connect the Sync Module to the Guest Wi-Fi and verify if the problem is solved.

9. Reset the Router and Sync Module

If the firmware of either the Blink Sync Module or your router is damaged or malfunctioning, the module will go offline. In such cases, resetting both the router and the Sync Module to their factory defaults will resolve the issue.

Reset the Router

Before proceeding with the reset, it is crucial to make note of the information that will be needed to set up the router again. This includes details such as network name (SSID), password, and any specific configurations or settings that were previously in place.

1. Locate the reset button on the router. Generally, on the back or bottom of the router.
2. Use a pin or paperclip to press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds.

   

3. Wait till the router restarts (it may take around 30 seconds) and then release the button.
4. Set up the router as per the ISP instructions and then check if the offline problem of the Sync Module is solved.

Reset the Sync Module

Before proceeding with the reset, it’s important to mention that this operation will result in the deletion of any saved data on your storage drive. To prevent any data loss, it is highly recommended to back up the data stored on the drive.

1. Disarm the System and safely eject the USB drive from the module.
2. Delete the Sync Module from your system by using the Blink app (discussed earlier).
3. Unplug the power cable of the Sync Module from the power source.
4. Use a pin or paper clip to press and hold the module’s reset button (near the USB port).

   

5. Plug back the power cable to the Sync Module while keeping the reset button pressed,
6. Release the button when the module shows red light (it may take around 20 seconds).
7. Wait till the module shows solid green and blinking blue light.
8. Disable Mobile or Cellular Data in the phone’s settings. For iOS devices, enable Local Network for Blink.
9. Open a website on the phone or PC to confirm if the network is working correctly.
10. Launch the Blink app and tap on the plus icon.
11. Select the Sync Module, and when asked, scan the QR code.
12. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process and reinsert the USB drive. Hopefully, this will solve the problem. If the firmware of the Sync Module was outdated, it will be updated when the module is added back.

If you continue to experience issues despite attempting previous troubleshooting steps, you can try deleting the entire system from the Blink app and creating a new camera system. Start by removing all cameras and the Sync Module associated with the problematic system. Then, create a new system from scratch and add the Sync Module to it. Check if this resolves the problem.

If the issue persists even after creating a new system, it is advisable to reach out to Blink Support for further assistance. If your Sync Module is still under warranty, you may be eligible to claim a replacement module to resolve the connectivity issues. Blink Support can guide you through the warranty claim process and provide additional troubleshooting steps if necessary.