Wireless Security Camera Setup with WiFi Router 

This guide is designed for customers considering purchasing a professional WiFi wireless camera from us or for those trying to set up an Avalonix Premium Series camera they've bought from CCTV Camera World.

Before you purchase or set up a Wireless Security Camera, it's important to understand some common misconceptions:

1. Wireless vs. Wire-Free: Wireless cameras are different from wire-free cameras. All professional wireless or WiFi surveillance cameras need a wired power connection, typically through a power adapter plugged into a 110V–220V socket. Dive deeper into the distinctions between Wireless vs Wire Free Cameras in our dedicated post.
2. Professional vs. Consumer Cameras: Our professional cameras aren't the same as cloud-app-based cameras, which exclusively use an app on your smartphone, like consumer IoT devices such as Ring cameras. You'll need a Windows PC or Mac to access a professional WiFi camera's web interface to pair them with your 2.4GHz WiFi.
3. WiFi Strength: WiFi or wireless IP cameras need a strong WiFi signal, generally provided by a nearby WiFi router or Access Point (AP).
4. Mesh Networks: Mesh devices might not offer sufficient bandwidth unless 100% optimally configured, with all devices on the same subnet (network) as the recorder.
5. Networking Knowledge: Pairing wireless cameras to a WiFi router requires some understanding of computer networking. This can be a challenge for those unfamiliar with IP addressing and other related concepts. Networking terminology and technologies aren't second nature to everyone, especially when confronted with IP addresses that are a series of numbers separated by periods.

This guide pertains to the Avalonix Premium Series wireless security cameras with WiFi capabilities, available exclusively at CCTV Camera World. These units are often referred to as WiFi security cameras or wireless IP cameras. Each of our WiFi cameras comes equipped with an integrated client radio, designed to connect to a 2.4 GHz (802.11 b/g/n) WiFi network.

For optimal performance, we recommend using a powerful router or Access Point to ensure stable WiFi connectivity to the cameras. Following this, a wired NVR can be used to record the camera footage over your local computer network. Additionally, these cameras can operate as standalone units, with the capability to record directly onto a factory-installed microSD card.

For those who are less tech-savvy, pairing our wireless cameras with our WiFi NVR is an excellent choice, as it's virtually hassle-free. These cameras are designed with plug-and-play connectivity, enabling effortless pairing and connection to our WiFi NVR. There's no need for any configuration on the user's part. With a clear line of sight, the NVR and cameras can transmit signals up to 200 feet away. When put together, they form a wireless security camera system that does not need to be configured or networked, which is something we talk about further in this article.

Step 1: Power and Wire The Wireless Security Camera To Your Router

Before you install the camera in its intended place, ensure you follow all the guidelines provided in this tutorial. After pairing the camera with your WiFi router, assess the router's WiFi signal strength at your desired installation spots before committing to that one location.

To pair the camera with your own 2.4GHz WiFi network, it's required to first establish a wired Ethernet connection to your local network. Connect the camera to your network using an Ethernet cable, and then connect the 12V DC adapter. Give the camera a minute to finish powering and booting up.

To access the camera's built-in web interface over your local network, you'll need a PC or Mac computer. This allows you to log into the camera and connect it to your WiFi router’s wireless network (aka SSID).

For a clearer understanding, we've included a comprehensive video tutorial below, detailing how to link the camera to your local computer network. This will set you up for the subsequent step of connecting the camera to your WiFi network.

Requirements To Find and Pair the Camera

1. Computer: to get into the camera's web interface and pair it to your WiFi networkA Windows PC is required if you don’t know the camera's wired IP address or how to find it.A Mac computer can be used if you provided a wired IP address before your order was shipped.
2. ConfigTool Software: to find the IP address of the camera in your network if you’re unsure.
3. 12V DC Adapter: to power the camera at all times.
4. Ethernet cable: for the initial pairing process to your WiFi network.

Step 2: Find The Camera and Access Its Web Interface

If you've purchased a camera and supplied us with a specific IP address for configuration, please check the IP address label on the camera box or refer to the email chain to find the address, username, and password we set.

Otherwise, the camera's default setting will be 192.168.1.109. To access the camera, your network should be 192.168.1.1. If this isn't your current setup, you can utilize the IP Camera Config Tool for the Premium Series Avalonix Cameras to detect the camera on your network and modify its IP address. Instructions on how to download and use the ConfigTool are available here.

You can use an HTML5-compliant web browser on Windows, Mac, or Linux to access the camera's plugin-free web interface.

(Picture of camera web interface login screen)

Should you encounter difficulties following the config tool guide or if accessing the camera's web interface is a challenge, consider purchasing a networking support session via the link provided below.

Step 3: Pair The Camera With Your WiFi Network

In this step-by-step video tutorial, we guide you through pairing your WiFi camera with your router's WiFi signal. Start by following steps 1 and 2 in this article: Connect the camera to the router using a wired connection, power it on, and access the web interface by typing its wired IP address (usually 192.168.1.109) into a browser. It's extremely important to ensure that your computer and the network are compatible with the camera's wired IP address scheme.

After logging in with the username and password details provided on the camera's label, head to the settings tab and choose the WiFi submenu under Network settings. The camera's WiFi setting is typically on DHCP by default, which means it will automatically obtain an IP address from your router. To connect your camera, select your preferred 2.4GHz WiFi network from the SSIDs list by double-clicking it and keying in the WiFi password. This password is the same one you use to connect devices like your phone or laptop to your home network. The video guide below streamlines the procedure of linking your camera to a WiFi network and, when required, setting up a static wireless IP.

Optional: Configure a Static WiFi IP Address

As noted, after pairing, the camera may acquire a new IP address for its WiFi connection through DHCP. To guarantee the camera's availability, especially after power interruptions or router reboots, it's recommended to set a static IP for the camera's WiFi connection. A static IP address ensures you don’t have to search for the camera after such events, making it less of a hassle to find and re-access the camera on the network.

Step 4: Add The Camera To A Recorder, PC Software, or Mobile App!

With the camera paired to your WiFi, you can start the process of adding it to an NVR, PC software, or mobile app. To add it to an NVR or for local viewing with the PC software, you will use the local IP address assigned to the camera within your local computer network. To add a camera to the PC software or mobile app for remote viewing, you will add it using the P2P QR code located in the Network and Platform Access tab in the web interface. The video below showcases the platforms and ways to add a camera to them.

Step 5: Determine the WiFi Strength of your Wireless Router before mounting

After connecting the camera to your WiFi network and adding it to your devices, you're ready to mount it. However, before beginning the installation, it's a good idea to assess the signal strength of your WiFi router or AP at your intended mounting location. The video below provides guidance on using your phone as a "signal meter" to gauge your WiFi network's strength.

WiFi Connection Troubleshooting Steps

It takes time for a WiFi camera to initially pair to a wireless network or reconnect after installation. Keep this in mind and exercise patience. If your wireless security camera fails to connect, read the following troubleshooting considerations:

• Power off the camera for 10 seconds by unplugging it, then reconnect it and wait up to 5 minutes for reconnection.
• Attempt a connection using a network cable, then disconnect it.
• Verify that you are using a 2.4GHz WiFi router or Access Point.
• Ensure that your router produces separate SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. Some routers combine both frequencies under one SSID, which the wireless cameras cannot connect to.
• Verify that your WiFi settings are accurate. Ensure the WiFi key is correct and the IP address is compatible.
• Reconnect the camera using a wired connection, reset its settings via the web interface, and then reconfigure using the ConfigTool to detect it on your network.
• Check for an IP conflict (two devices with the same IP address) with another device on the network.
• If you have special characters or spaces in your WiFi password, that may pose a problem. Consider setting a new WiFi password on your router or access point, ensuring it's only alphanumeric characters without special symbols.
• Adjust the encryption type on your WiFi router or access point. Some routers struggle with WPA and WPA2, requiring a switch to WEP or an upgrade to a better router, such as the router we offer.