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Detailed troubleshooting guide to fix Nanit monitors not working - Pro, Plus

Nanit Not Working: 19 Ways to Fix it

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If your Nanit baby monitor is not working/unresponsive with no activity on the screen when attempting to turn it on, or if you are unable to establish a connection with the app, I have outlined a set of troubleshooting steps that have been proven effective in resolving these issues.

This troubleshooting guide is part of our articles aimed at making baby technology easy and accessible to all. You can also read about our review of Nanit Plus here.

Is it Nanit’s Fault that Nanit is not working?

Some users have voiced concerns about their Nanit monitors not working after some period – unable to pair and unable to reset the camera. They reported that these devices functioned flawlessly for a considerable period of time, some even up to 2 years, without any connection issues with the camera or the app. They claim that these problems emerged after the expiration of the warranty. Some have alleged that Nanit intentionally rendered older devices inoperable through a software update, compelling users to make new purchases. I cannot independently verify this but thought I could put it out there.

Users that have older models haven’t had much success troubleshooting connection or pairing issues and have reported consistent signal loss rending the app and the monitor unable to do what it is supposed to do.

Below are the 19 steps that you can try to fix your Nanit monitor that’s not working;

#1: Check that Nanit Network is working today:

Nanit is a connected(Wi-Fi enabled) monitor that relays its sound and video signals to the cloud before they are sent to the Nanit phone app for you to view. When the Nanit network is down, it means that the device cannot connect with the cloud, and thus, there will be no video or audio feed on the app. Before troubleshooting any further, it is essential to check if the Nanit network is online using this online tool provided by Nanit: https://status.nanit.com/

Below is a snapshot of what you can expect to see if the Nanit network is working fine;

snapshot showing the status of Nanit network
Snapshot showing Nanit Network is operational and should be connecting to the cloud

If the Nanit network is down which doesn’t happen often, you need to be patient as it is usually restored within a short time.

If the Network is working fine, then ensure that you are on a safe network.

#2: Ensure you are on a safe private network:

Nanit utilizes advanced encryption, which necessitates connecting to a password-protected network rather than using public, unprotected Wi-Fi. While this enhances signal security during transit, it can limit usability while traveling, contradicting Nanit’s claim of being travel-friendly with the Nanit stand.

#3: Check the camera’s Wi-Fi connection:

If your camera is offline, try to connect it to another Wi-Fi network. If the camera connects successfully, you’ll know that the previous network was causing connectivity issues. An easy way to check if Wi-Fi is working on your home is to try to load a webpage on your phone or computer. If the connection is not available, try the fourth step;

#4: Switch Networks; 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz and vice versa:

Nanit supports dual-band routers, meaning that it can connect to both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. If you are experiencing connectivity issues, try switching between the two networks to see if it makes any difference. According to Nanit’s Support page, they recommend using 2.4GHz if you own the original Nanit Baby Monitor and 5 GHz if you own the recent Nanit Plus and Pro versions.

Below are the steps they recommend you can follow to switch between bands;

  1. Open the Nanit app and tap on the camera you are looking to access.
  2. Tap your camera’s settings.
  3. Tap ‘Network’.
  4. Under ‘Dual Band Networks’, tap ‘Wi-Fi Band’.

Read more troubleshooting steps suggested by Nanit on its webpage here.

#5: Update Nanit App;

If you have tried all the previous steps and your Nanit Baby Monitor is still not working, it may be worth checking if there is an updated version of the Nanit app available. Sometimes, bugs or connectivity issues can be resolved by simply updating to a newer version of the app.

To update the Nanit app, follow these steps:

  1. Open the App Store or Google Play Store on your phone.
  2. Search for ‘Nanit’ in the search bar.
  3. If there is an update available, you should see a button that says ‘Update’.
  4. Tap on ‘Update’ and wait for the app to finish updating.
  5. Once the update is complete, open the Nanit app and see if the issue has been resolved.

Below are links to  Apple App Store or Google Play store.

#6: Restart Nanit:

If none of the above steps have resolved the issue, it may be helpful to restart your Nanit Baby Monitor. This can help reset any potential connectivity issues and give the monitor a fresh start.

To restart your Nanit Baby Monitor, follow these steps:

  1. Unplug the power adapter from the back of the camera.
  2. Wait for 10 seconds. During this time, you can also reboot your phone.
  3. Plug the power adapter back into the camera and wait for it to start up again.
  4. When the Nanit logo appears on the screen, verify if the issue has been resolved. The Night Light on Nanit will briefly blink to indicate that it is reconnecting.
  5. After Nanit’s Night Light stops blinking, open the Nanit app to check if the network connection has improved. Read more about Nanit’s lights here.

#7. Relaunch the App:

If the issue persists, it may be helpful to relaunch the Nanit app. This will close any background processes and give the app a fresh start.

To relaunch the Nanit app, follow these steps:

  1. Close the app completely by swiping up or down from the multitasking screen (depending on your phone model).
  2. Wait for a few seconds, then open the app again.
  3. Check if the issue has been resolved. If not, continue to the next step.

#8: Reboot your Phone:

A simple solution to many technical issues is to reboot your phone. This will close any background processes and refresh the device’s memory.

To reboot your phone, follow these steps:

  1. Press and hold down the power button until you see the “Power off” option.
  2. Tap on “Power off” and wait for your phone to turn off completely.
  3. Wait for a few seconds, then press and hold down the power button again to turn your phone back on.
  4. Once your phone has restarted, open the Nanit app and check if the issue has been resolved. If not, continue to the final troubleshooting step.

#9: Restart your router:

If the previous steps have not resolved the issue, it is possible that there may be a problem with your Wi-Fi router. Sometimes simply restarting the router can improve network connectivity.

To restart your router, follow these steps:

  1. Locate your Wi-Fi router and unplug it from the power source.
  2. Wait for at least 10 seconds before plugging it back in.
  3. Wait for the router to restart and establish a connection.
  4. Once your Wi-Fi is back up, open the Nanit app and check if the issue has been resolved.

#10: Opt for low bandwidth:

If you are experiencing connectivity issues, it may be due to a weak Wi-Fi signal or limited bandwidth. To improve the connection, try switching to low bandwidth mode within the Nanit app.

To switch to low bandwidth mode, follow these steps:

To optimize your Nanit app settings for your baby, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Nanit app on your device.
  2. Tap the side menu.
  3. Select your baby’s settings.
  4. Tap on ‘Network’.
  5. Adjust the bandwidth usage selector to the “Low” setting.

By following these steps to lower the bandwidth setting, you can enhance the performance of the Nanit app for your baby. This will result in reduced latency, fewer disconnections, decreased data usage, and minimized buffering in your live video stream.

Image showing how to change Nanit's network Settings Network to Low to improve connection

Read more about adjusting bandwidth on Nanit’s support page here.

#11. Get the router closer to Nanit monitor:

If the low bandwidth setting does not improve your connection, it is possible that your router may be too far from the Nanit monitor. In order to optimize connectivity between the two devices, try moving your router closer to the monitor. This will help ensure a strong Wi-Fi signal and decrease any potential interference from other devices.

#12: Buy and install Wi-Fi Repeater;

If you are unable to move the router closer or if the connection issue is persisting, Nanit recommends installing Wi-Fi repeaters, specifically the NETGEAR N300 WiFi Range Extender or the TP-Link N300 WiFi Range Extender. Extenders can be purchased at most electronic stores and are relatively easy to install. Once installed, these devices will boost your Wi-Fi signal and improve connectivity for your Nanit monitor.

#13: Manually reconnect the monitor:

If all else fails, you may need to manually reconnect your Nanit monitor to your home Wi-Fi network. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Nanit app on your phone and navigate to the ‘Settings’ menu.
  2. Select the ‘Nanit monitor’ option.
  3. Click on ‘Wi-Fi settings.’
  4. Choose ‘Reconnect to Wi-Fi.’
  5. Follow the prompts to reconnect your monitor to your home Wi-Fi network.
  6. Once completed, check to see if the connection issue has been resolved.

If you are still experiencing problems, please contact Nanit customer support for further assistance.

#14: Ensure your home Wi-Fi network is stable:

It is important to note that even with a strong Wi-Fi signal, connectivity issues can still arise if your home network is unstable. This can be caused by multiple devices using the network at once or a weak internet connection. To ensure a stable network for your Nanit monitor, try to limit the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi and consider upgrading your internet plan if necessary.

#15. Check for firmware updates:

Sometimes, connectivity issues can be resolved by simply updating the firmware on your Nanit monitor. To check for updates, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Nanit app on your device.
  2. Tap the side menu.
  3. Select “Help & About”.
  4. Tap on “Check for Updates”.

If an update is available, follow the prompts to complete the process. Once the update is complete, check to see if the connectivity issue has been resolved.

#16. Reset Nanit monitor:

If all else fails, it may be necessary to reset your Nanit monitor. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Unplug the power cord from the back of your Nanit monitor.
  2. Wait 10 seconds.
  3. Reconnect the power cord to the back of your monitor.
  4. Wait for the “Nanit” logo to appear on the screen.
  5. Once it appears, press and hold both buttons on the back of the monitor until you see a blue ring light up around them.
  6. Release the buttons and wait for the monitor to restart.
  7. Once it has restarted, check to see if the connectivity issue has been resolved.

#17: Disable your phone Wi-fi using data and opt for a stronger home network:

If your Nanit monitor is still experiencing connectivity issues, it may be helpful to disable the Wi-Fi on your phone and use data instead. This can help ensure a stronger connection between your device and the Nanit monitor. Additionally, if you have access to a more stable home network, consider connecting your device to that network for a better connection.

Follow these steps:

  1. Go to the settings on your phone.
  2. Select “Wi-Fi” and toggle off the switch.
  3. Connect to your mobile data instead.
  4. Open the Nanit app and check if the connectivity issue has been resolved.
  5. If not, try connecting back to your Wi-Fi network and check for any improvements in connectivity.

#18: Roll back the software update if connection issues started with the software update:

If you noticed connectivity issues with your Nanit monitor after a recent software update, it may be helpful to roll back the update. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to the settings on your phone.
  2. Select “Apps” or “Applications”.
  3. Find the Nanit app and select it.
  4. Click on “Uninstall updates”.
  5. Once the update has been uninstalled, check if the connectivity issue has been resolved.
  6. If not, try restarting your device and checking for any improvements in connectivity.

Based on feedback from other parents, I strongly advise against updating the software if you’ve owned the device for over 18 months. There is a high likelihood that the new updates will strain the firmware in older models, resulting in frequent connection issues and potential camera reset failures.

Nanit monitor comes with a strict 1-year warranty and the support won’t be able to help you if the device is out of warranty. Read more about Nanit’s warranty here.

#19: Contact Nanit customer support:

If none of the troubleshooting steps mentioned above have resolved your connectivity issue, it may be necessary to contact Nanit customer support for further assistance. Below are their contact details;

You can also submit a request for support on the form on their support page here. Below is a snapshot of the form you can fill with details of your Nanit’s issues.

Form to submit a request on Nanit website