Overview
If your BlackVue dashcam's WiFi network (SSID) is not appearing in your phone's WiFi scan list, follow the steps below in order. In some cases, Bluetooth detection may also fail — see the note at the bottom of this article.
Before You Begin
Confirm the following before troubleshooting:
- The dashcam is installed and receiving power from the vehicle.
- The dashcam has fully booted (wait at least 30 seconds after powering on).
- You are using the latest version of the BlackVue app.
Troubleshooting Steps
Step 1 — Confirm the Dashcam is Powered On and WiFi is Active
Check the dashcam's LED indicator. On most BlackVue models, a solid or blinking blue/green LED indicates that WiFi is active. Consult your model's Quick Start Guide for the specific LED color pattern.
| If no LEDs are active at all, the dashcam may not be receiving power. Check the fuse and hardwiring connection before continuing. Even if some LEDs are deactivated in some cameras’ firmware settings, the GPS LED cannot be disabled. It should light on when the camera is powered on and while GPS signal is detected. |
Step 2 — Toggle Phone WiFi Off and On
On your smartphone:
- Open Settings and navigate to WiFi.
- Turn WiFi OFF and wait 5 seconds.
- Turn WiFi back ON.
- Wait 10 seconds for the network scan to complete, then check for the dashcam SSID.
The dashcam SSID typically appears as 'BlackVue[model]_[serial number suffix/six alphanumeric code].'
Step 3 — Check for WiFi Channel Interference (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz)
BlackVue dashcams broadcast on 2.4 GHz WiFi. If your phone is set to prioritize 5 GHz networks, it may fail to display 2.4 GHz devices.
- On iOS: Go to Settings > WiFi. If your phone shows only 5 GHz networks, temporarily forget all 5 GHz networks and re-scan.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Connections > WiFi > Advanced. Disable 'Switch to mobile data' and disable 5 GHz auto-connect if available.
| If you are in an area with many WiFi networks (apartments, parking garages), channel congestion on 2.4 GHz may interfere with detection. Try scanning from a location with fewer competing networks. |
Step 4 — Revoke and Re-Grant App Permissions
The BlackVue app requires Location and WiFi permissions to detect and connect to the dashcam's SSID. If these permissions were denied or reset after a phone update, the SSID will not appear.
On iOS: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > BlackVue > While Using
On Android: Settings > Apps > BlackVue > Permissions > Location (set to 'Allow all the time') and Nearby Devices.
After updating permissions, force-close the BlackVue app and reopen it.
Step 5 — Reinstall the BlackVue App
If the steps above have not resolved the issue, perform a clean reinstall:
- Uninstall the BlackVue app from your phone.
- Restart your phone.
- Reinstall the latest version of BlackVue from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open the app and attempt to connect to the dashcam.
Still Not Resolved?
If the dashcam SSID still does not appear after completing all steps, contact BlackVue support with the following information:
- Dashcam model and serial number
- Phone model and OS version
- Firmware version installed on dashcam
- Screenshot of phone WiFi scan list showing no BlackVue SSID