Owlet Cam 2 Not Pairing? (Fix It Fast With These Tips!)

We know how uneasy it can be when your Owlet Cam 2 not pairing, preventing you from the constant observation over your little one that you’ve paid for.

Don’t worry–we’re going to help you pair it.

In most cases, the issue is related to the “Pairing” mode of the camera, the network equipment, or the configuration of the camera itself.

The Owlet Cam 2 uses the Owlet mobile application to establish a connection with the Wi-Fi.

Once it does, you can access monitoring properties and settings for the camera.

How to Fix When the Owlet Cam 2 Not Pairing – 9 Solutions!

Note: Have you tried unplugging the Owlet Cam 2?

1. Activate the Owlet Cam 2 Pairing Mode

You can only connect the Owlet Cam 2 with the mobile application and the Wi-Fi accordingly, only while the “Pairing” mode is active.

Well, there is a dedicated button on the back of your second-gen Owlet that engages the Pairing mode and makes it discoverable for your phone.

To activate the pairing mode of your Owlet Cam 2, press and hold the button near the camera vent for 3 seconds until the status light starts blinking red and blue.

Then, check if the camera is discoverable through the Owlet mobile app, and then try to establish the wireless connection.

2. Pair Phone & Camera to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi

The Owlet Cam 2 does not support 5 GHz Wi-Fi compatibility.

So, the next step is to update the Wi-Fi details of your camera and phone to verify that they are on the same 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band.

Note: If both of your devices are already on the 2.4 GHz band, skip this step!

2.1 How to Update Owlet Cam 2 Wi-Fi Details:

1. Open the Owlet app and navigate to “Owlet Cam Settings”.
2. Tap the gear icon and access the “Wi-Fi” menu at the top.
3. Tap the Wi-Fi button and wait for Owlet to scan all networks.
4. Now, tap the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi from the list to start connecting.
5. Next, wait until the camera verifies the connection and test.

2.2 How to Update the Smartphone Wi-Fi Details:

1. Launch the Settings app on your Android or iOS smartphone.
2. Navigate to “Wireless” or “Wi-Fi” from the menu to proceed.
3. Check if your phone currently uses the 5 GHz Wi-Fi or data.
4. Switch to the 2.4 GHz band and input the correct password.
5. Tap “Connect” and wait until your phone pairs successfully.

If the connection was successful, follow the instructions in solution #1 to re-attempt the pairing of the Owlet Cam 2 and check if the device registers successfully. 

3. Reboot the Wi-Fi Network Router/Modem

Among the leading causes why the Owlet Cam 2 not pairing to WiFi is a problem with the Wi-Fi router or network equipment.

You must perform a power reset on your network router, modem, and potentially any other network equipment involved in your setup.

• You can power cycle the network router by disconnecting the power adapter from the outlet for approximately 60 seconds.

Bonus Tip: While waiting for the router to discharge, disconnect the Owlet Cam 2 from the electrical outlet as well.

4. Update the Owlet Application Firmware

Perhaps, the Owlet Cam 2 refuses to pair due to an outdated firmware of the Owlet application.

The next step is to verify that the application is at your smartphone’s current version before advancing further with the guide.

If you are on iOS, you can check for a newer firmware of the Owlet app through the App Store, and if you are on Android, check the releases via the Google Play Store. 

Once you have verified the app is up-to-date, attempt to reconnect the Owlet Cam 2 once again.

5. Switch your Smartphone to “Light” Mode

One of the reasons why the Owlet Cam 2 won’t pair during the initial setup is due to a poor scan of the QR code.

Since the Owlet camera requires scanning the QR shown on the smartphone, it could sometimes fail if the “Dark” mode of the background is enabled.

You can configure the “Light” and “Dark” modes of your smartphone through the “Display” or “Wallpaper” menu in the “Settings” application.

Verify your smartphone is set to “Light” mode, save the changes, and attempt to re-register the Owlet camera. 

6. Check for Mesh Node Interference (Mesh Wi-Fi)

Your Owlet Cam 2 is specifically susceptible to mesh Wi-Fi networks and might only connect with the parental node.

If you are not using a standard Wi-Fi router network and have mesh nodes instead, ZontSound recommends several tips and adjustments to the network settings.

Interference could also lead to repeated connection losses of the Owlet Cam 2 and problems with the loading speed/performance.

Step #1: Access the Network Configuration:

• First, power off the Owlet Cam 2 and the power adapter cable.
• Access the GUI of your mesh router with the default gateway.
• Navigate to the “Wi-Fi” or “Wireless” menu in the settings/app.

Some modern mesh installations have a dedicated mobile application for configuring all of the settings we are about to review. 

If you have a traditional system, you can find the default gateway by typing “ipconfig” in the CMD of a Wi-Fi or Ethernet-connected device.

Step #2: Recommended Adjustments:

Now, to optimize the Owlet camera connection, adjust the following settings:

Note: Power reset all mesh nodes once you are done configuring the settings.

7. Switch the Camera to a Mobile Hotspot

You can rule out issues with your mesh or router network by connecting the Owlet Cam 2 to the mobile hotspot of your smartphone instead. 

However, before proceeding with the mobile hotspot activation, verify that your smartphone has a sufficient amount of mobile data left through the carrier’s application or service page. 

The hotspot can be activated through the quick menu or settings of your mobile device.

Follow these steps to set up the Owlet Cam 2 with a mobile hotspot:

• Check the SSID (hostname) and password of your smartphone hotspot.
• Follow the instructions in solution #2 to update the camera Wi-Fi details.
• Select the Wi-Fi of your smartphone during the camera’s internet setup.

Maintaining less than ~15 feet with the camera while updating the Wi-Fi details to the hotspot is recommended.

Additionally, verify that no other devices are connected to the hotspot before setting up the camera. 

8. Check for Active VPN or Proxy

It is essential not to mask or change the IP address of your smartphone during the initial setup of the Owlet Cam 2.

So, this could result in an onset of issues, including misconfigured device information, improper camera registration, and repeatedly failed attempts to connect the unit.

Here’s how to check for an active VPN:

Note: The connection speed of your smartphone will be significantly reduced while using a VPN.

9. Reset the Owlet Cam 2 to Default Settings

If all previous attempts to identify why the Owlet Cam 2 is not pairing have failed, then you should proceed with a clean factory reset of the camera system settings. 

If there were any wrong steps or misconfigurations during the initial setup, it could restrict the camera’s internet access and cause issues.

Here’s how to perform a factory reset on the Owlet Cam 2:

1. Locate the Reset button on the back panel of the Owlet Cam 2.
2. Hold for 15–20 seconds until “Resetting, please wait” is heard.
3. After that, release the button when Owlet says “Ready to pair.”
4. Redo the initial setup of the camera through the Owlet application.

Note: Consult with the Owlet customer support if the issue persists after finalizing the factory reset!