Importance of WiFi Signal Strength

Your camera’s WiFi signal strength is important to understand and notice. Good signal strength helps prevent connection issues before they occur.  Good to Excellent signal strength ensures quality streaming of your little one's tracking information to your Owlet app. If your WiFi signal strength is fair, weak, or disconnected, we recommend you address connectivity immediately for your Dream Sight camera’s best performance using the steps in this article.

What is WiFi signal strength (RSSI) and device connectivity?

Received Signal Strength Indicator or RSSI measures how well a device is receiving a signal from a router. Device Connectivity refers to connecting devices for the transfer of data. These terms do not have the same meaning but are often used interchangeably to indicate WiFi signal strength.

For your needs, look for a signal strength level (RSSI) between -55 and -1, sufficient for streaming video and audio of your little one from the Cam to your Owlet App. The closer the level is to zero, the better quality of video you are receiving:

Fix your WiFi issues with our self-service app!

Diagnose and troubleshoot your WiFi problems with the help of our support partner RouteThis Helps. Check out the WiFi Cam Self-Help Tool.  

Where can I check my WiFi signal strength?

Check your Received Signal Strength Indicator, referred to as RSSI:

1. From the Owlet App home screen, access your Settings information (cog icon).
2. Scroll down to My Owlet Devices
3. Select your device
4. Scroll down to Device Info

If your WiFi signal strength is low or disconnected (indicated by yellow or orange/red), try:

1. Moving your router closer to your camera. The more obstructions and footage your WiFi signal passes through, the more degraded the signal becomes.
2. Removing or moving obstacles obstructing your WiFi signal, such as a metal bookcase.
   NOTE: Objects and materials containing drywall, many types of wood, and single-pane glass are more easily penetrated by WiFi signals. Materials such as brick, plaster, cement, metal, stone, and double-pane (or glazed) windows are more difficult for your WiFi signal to pass through.
3. Moving your WiFi router higher, such as wall-mounting it, to avoid obstructions and provide a better line-of-sight for the WiFi signal to reach your Cam.

Signal strength still indicates disconnection after moving the router

1. If the issue is not your router placement (line-of-sight), also check that there is no router (reboot), ISP service, Phone service, or power issues, and then try a camera reset. If a reset isn't helping, continue to more vigorous troubleshooting.
2. Tap the following subtopics, working in order. These take you inside our various top Troubleshooting articles in the Owlet Cam section of our Help Center for access to specific tasks:
   1. Place your Cam into pairing mode (try this first)
   2. Force-close your Owlet app and re-open it before continuing.
   3. Power-cycle your Cam.
   4. Reset your camera.  Caution: try only if other troubleshooting is not working
   5. Re-register your camera.
      NOTE: This requires you to re-enter account information and re-setup your Dream Sight.

If the camera is still experiencing connectivity issues, check the status light above the lens of your camera.
Is the status light blinking blue? This indicates connectivity issues. Check your router (reboot), power service, and ISP service, and then use the troubleshooting articles for status lights or error codes in this article.