Status LED Indicators and Meanings
| LED Status | Meaning |
|---|
| Orange blinking fast (3 seconds) | Connected to USB charger |
| Solid Red | Starting up |
| Red & Green blinking | Setup ready |
| Red blinking slowly | Attempting Wi-Fi connection |
| Solid Orange | Connected to Wi-Fi network |
| Solid Green | Connected to cloud |
| Red blinking fast | Camera resetting |
| Green blinking fast | Camera firmware updating |
1. Battery Charging
The product's battery is not fully charged upon receipt. Please charge it before use. This may take approximately 7.5 hours.
Diagram: A camera connected to a USB charger (5V 1A) via a USB Type-C cable.
Notes:
- Remove the protective film from the camera before use.
- Only use the included USB cable. Using other cables may damage the battery performance.
- When the USB charger is connected, the LED will blink orange rapidly for 3 seconds. If it does not blink, ensure the charger is securely inserted into the camera.
- Caution: Do not forcibly peel off the silicone part of the charging port. This may compromise its waterproof performance.
- If the camera loses power after a fall, reconnect the USB charger to power it on again.
- Always close the port cover after charging.
- After setup is complete, check the battery status in the Tapo app.
2. Camera Setup
- Download the Tapo app from the App Store or Google Play and log in with your TP-Link ID. If you do not have an ID, tap "Sign Up" to create one.
Symbol: App Store download icon
Symbol: Google Play download icon
- Press and hold the camera's button for 3 seconds to power it on. Launch the Tapo app, tap the "+" button in the top right corner of the screen, select the model to set up, and complete the setup by following the app's instructions.
Diagram: A hand holding a smartphone displaying the Tapo app interface, with an arrow pointing to a camera icon, and a camera device next to it.
3. Camera Installation Precautions
- To prevent interference with motion detection, do not install the camera through glass.
- To prevent false alarms, install the camera in an appropriate location, referring to the following:
- Do not point the camera at trees swaying in the wind.
- Do not point the camera at vehicles or pedestrians.
- Do not point the camera at streetlights or the sun.
- Do not install the camera upside down.
Diagram: An illustration showing a camera mounted correctly (upright) and incorrectly (upside down), with a cross mark on the incorrect one.
- Keep the motion sensor horizontal.
Diagram: An illustration showing a camera with its motion sensor aligned horizontally.
- Install the camera at an angle of approximately 20° downwards from horizontal.
Diagram: An illustration showing a camera tilted downwards at a 20° angle from the horizontal plane.
- For smart detection to function properly, install the camera diagonally above the detection target so that it captures the target moving across its front.
Diagram: An illustration showing a person walking across the camera's field of view, with the camera mounted diagonally above. Note: Do not install the camera facing the detection target directly.
- To improve motion detection performance, it is recommended to install the camera at a height of 2-3 meters above the ground.
Diagram: A side view illustration of a camera mounted at a height of 2-3 meters, showing its PIR detection zones (default and maximum sensitivity) and field of view. The default detection range is 7m, and the maximum is 9m.
*You can adjust sensitivity by opening the Tapo app, navigating to Camera Settings > Detection > Detection Sensitivity. The field of view and PIR detection zones shown above are for a camera installed at 2.2m above the ground.
Appearance
Front View
Diagram: Front view of the camera with numbered parts.
- White LED
- Ambient Light Sensor
- Motion Sensor
- Microphone
- Lens
- Status LED
- Speaker
Side View
Diagram: Side view of the camera.
Rear View
Diagram: Rear view of the camera with numbered parts.
- Power Button: Press and hold for 3 seconds to turn power on/off.
- microSD Card Slot: To record locally, open the cover and insert a microSD card*. You will need to initialize it in the Tapo app. *microSD card sold separately.
- Reset Button: Open the cover and press and hold the reset button with a pin for 5 seconds or more to reset the camera to factory settings.
- USB Type-C Port: When charging, open the cover on the back of the unit.
4. Solar Panel Installation Precautions
The power generation efficiency of the solar panel varies depending on the installation location and orientation.
- Install the solar panel in a location that receives the most sunlight throughout the year.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, orient the panel south; in the Southern Hemisphere, orient it north. The recommended installation angle for the solar panel is 35° to 45° relative to the ground.
- Regularly wipe the panel to remove dust and debris.
5. Solar Panel & Camera Mounting
Included accessories: 3x mounting anchors, 3x screws, 2x screw caps. (Screw diameter: 6mm)
1. Drill Pilot Holes
Attach the positioning sticker to the desired base installation location and drill pilot holes in three places according to the marks.
Diagram: An illustration showing a drill creating pilot holes in a wall, guided by a positioning sticker.
2. Install the Solar Panel Base
Insert the anchors into the pilot holes, align the solar panel base over the anchors, and secure it with screws. Then, insert the screw caps into the two upper screw holes.
Diagram: Illustrations showing the correct (✓) and incorrect (✗) orientation for inserting screw caps.
3. Install the Solar Panel
Slide the solar panel onto the base until it clicks into place and is securely fixed.
Diagram: An illustration showing the solar panel sliding onto its base from the rear view.
4. Adjust Solar Panel Angle
Loosen the adjustment screw, tilt the solar panel to adjust its angle, then tighten the adjustment screw again.
The recommended installation angle for the solar panel is 35° to 45°.
Diagram: An illustration showing the solar panel being tilted and adjusted to an angle between 35° and 45°.
5. Install & Adjust Camera Angle
Install the camera at an angle of approximately 20° downwards from horizontal.
Rotate the nut (○) at the bottom of the camera base to securely fix the camera to the base.
Diagram: An illustration showing the camera mounted and tilted downwards at a 20° angle, with a detail of the nut at the base.
6. Camera Connection
To prevent camera damage from moisture or dust, always use the waterproof attachment for the cable when connecting the camera to the solar panel.
1. Attach Waterproof Attachment
Firmly insert the waterproof attachment into the camera's charging port.
Diagram: An illustration showing the waterproof attachment being inserted into the camera's charging port.
2. Connect to Camera
Connect the solar panel's connector to the camera's charging port.
Diagram: An illustration showing the solar panel cable connector being plugged into the camera's charging port.
If the power cord is too short:
Firmly insert the solar panel's connector into the included extension cable, then connect the waterproof attachment to the camera's charging port.
Diagram: An illustration showing the solar panel connector, an extension cable, and the camera, demonstrating how to connect them when the main cable is short.
If the power cord is too long:
Use the included cable holder to bundle excess cable. Once tightened, the cable holder cannot be easily adjusted, so it may need to be cut to unbundle.
Diagram: An illustration showing how to use a cable holder to bundle excess cable.
Troubleshooting & Support
For customer support, user guides, and other information, please refer to the URL below or scan the QR code:
https://www.tapo.com/support/
Safety Information
Tapo Solar Panel:
- Keep the product away from fire and high temperatures. Do not immerse in water or other liquids.
- Do not disassemble, repair, or modify the product. If you have any questions, please contact TP-Link support.
Tapo Camera:
- Do not power the device with a damaged charger or USB cable.
- Do not use chargers other than the recommended ones.
- Do not use the product in locations where wireless device usage is restricted.
- The adapter should be installed near the equipment and be easily accessible.
- Do not use power adapters other than the included one. If you have any questions, please contact TP-Link support.
- Keep the product away from fire and high temperatures. Do not immerse in water or other liquids.
- Do not disassemble, repair, or modify the product.
- Do not place near fire alarms or other automatic control devices. Radio waves from this product may cause malfunctions.
- Comply with restrictions on the use of wireless products in fuel storage areas, chemical plants, and areas where blasting operations are in progress.
- Do not use liquids for cleaning the product; use only a dry cloth.
- Do not allow metal objects to enter the product. If a metal object enters, turn off the breaker and contact a professional.
- This product is not intended for medical use. If you use personal medical devices such as pacemakers or hearing aids, please contact the manufacturer to confirm if they are protected from external RF (radio frequency) energy.
- Do not use this product in medical facilities. Hospitals and medical facilities may use equipment sensitive to external RF energy.
- Do not place heavy objects on this product.
- If the product will not be used for a long time, unplug the power cord from the outlet.
- This product may cause radio interference with other electronic products such as TVs, radios, computers, telephones, and other wireless devices.
- Camera operating temperature: -20°C to 45°C (-4°F to 113°F).
- The power adapter should be used indoors at ambient temperatures below 40°C.
- This product can only be powered by devices compliant with Power Class 2 (PS2) or Limited Power Source (LPS) as defined in IEC 62368-1.
Important Note:
- For safety, do not replace the battery with an incompatible one.
- To prevent explosion, do not place the battery near fire or high-temperature locations (e.g., microwave ovens, ovens), or intentionally impact or cut it.
- To prevent explosion or leakage of flammable liquids/gases, do not place the battery in high-temperature or low-pressure environments.
When using this product, please observe the above precautions. Failure to comply with these may result in injury to the user or damage to the product, so please use with extreme caution.
