Introduction TP-Link Tapo C420

The TP-Link Tapo C420 Smart Wireless Camera is a high-quality, affordable home security solution. This camera offers 1080p resolution, night vision, and motion detection, making it a great choice for monitoring your home or office. The estimated price of the Tapo C420 is around $50, making it a budget-friendly option compared to other smart cameras on the market. The Tapo C420 is set to be released in early 2022.

Detailed Specifications

The TP-Link Tapo C420 Smart Wireless Camera boasts the following key features:

• 1080p resolution
• Night vision up to 30 feet
• Motion detection with alerts
• Two-way audio
• IP65 weatherproof rating
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• SD card slot for local storage
• Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

How to use

How to prevent water ingress into Tapo Wire-free cameras 

The tapo outdoor wire-free camera supports IP65 Water &Dust Resistant, the camera may suffer water ingress under some special conditions. To prevent water ingress into the camera, here are tips to make the camera to be waterproof ready. 

1. Ensure the battery back cover is in place. Align the indicator line on the cover with the arrow icon on the camera body. Press and rotate clockwise to the lock position to replace the cover.

   

2. After closing the battery back cover, please ensure that the rubber cover on the back cover of the charging port is tightly closed.

   

3. When the battery back cover and the charging port rubber cover is tightly closed, there will be no water mist inside the camera even if it is installed in an environment with a relative humidity of up to 90%. In foggy weather, there may be water mist on the surface of the camera and the lens, but it will not affect the inside of the camera. You can wipe the water mist on the surface of the lens with a paper towel or let it dry naturally.

   

4. If you need to open the battery cover, please do so in a clean and dry environment. Please ensure that no water droplets get inside the camera during the process of opening the cover. 

5. If the camera accidentally gets water, please remove the battery as soon as possible to prevent the internal components of the camera from being damaged. After removing the battery, you can use the cold air of a hair dryer or a fan to dry the inside of the camera until there is no water mist before continuing to use it. If the camera still cannot be used normally after the water mist is removed, please contact TP-link technical support for further processing.

   

Motion Detection Is Not Working On TP-Link Camera 

Generally, the motion detection issue is related to camera setup, if you did not configure it properly, the motion detection cannot work as expected. However, this issue also could be caused by other factors, like position, angle, distance, etc. If motion detection of your TP-Link camera is not working, here are 6 steps you can implement. 

1. Check network quality. Make sure the internet connection is stable. You can check the network connection stability for tapo camera following the FAQ: How to check the network connection stability of a Tapo Camera
2. Confirm that firmware and APP are both up-to-date.
3. Ensure Motion detection is enabled properly. 
   • Open the App and click the top right gear. 
   • Click "Detection and Alerts". 
   • Check if the "Motion Detection" toggle is ON. 
4. Adjust the "Motion Sensitivity" and Choose "Activity zones". Sensitivity Level could be set as highest (10 Levels at most).

How to create Smart Action (automation or a shortcut) of my Tapo devices 

What are Tapo Smart Actions?
For Tapo devices, there are two kinds of Smart Actions—Shortcuts and Automation. 

Shortcuts 
Shortcut lets you perform an action with a simple tap. For example, when you are ready for bed, you can turn off your Tapo devices and dim the lights with one action. 

Automation 
Automation allows you to use Tapo smart devices or Time as a trigger to control other Tapo devices or run a shortcut/automation task. For example, you might want to turn the lights on a few minutes before you get home from work every weekday. You can set up a trigger (When something happens) and an action (Then execute the action) in an automation. 

Trigger List

*Triggers may vary by product models and Tapo Care plans. More devices will be supported soon.

Action List

*Triggers may vary by product models. More devices will be supported soon. 

How to Create Smart Actions Option 

1. Edit based on the template 

   • Go to the Smart Actions page and you will see the Routine Actions (Shortcut or Automation).

     

   • Tap on a featured action. Tap EDIT to select devices and change the settings as needed. Tap APPLY to save changes. 

     

     
     Note: Tapo cameras only support Enable/Disable Privacy Mode.

     

2. Create your own actions 
   1. Go to the Smart Actions page and tap + on the top right to add a Shortcut or an Automation.
   2. Customize triggers/actions for your smart action. 
      1. Shortcuts

         • Tap + to add actions.

           

         • Name your shortcut and choose an icon for it. Tap Done to complete.

           

         • You can run the shortcut with one tap on My Actions page or on the Home page.
      2. Automation 

         • Tap + to add triggers (When) and actions (Then).

           

         • If there are more than 2 triggers added, you can decide when to perform the action. Tap When Any Condition is Met, and select “Any Condition is Met” or “All Conditions Are Met”.

           

3. Name your smart action and set the effective time when the automation will take effect.

   

4. Your automation will execute when triggered during the effective time.

   

5. Adjust the camera position and pointing angle. The position and pointing angle of the camera also play a crucial role in getting the desired performance from the motion detection features. If you are sure that motion detection is enabled correctly, checking the position of camera should be the next step. You will find that the camera was not installed properly, and the covered zone doesn’t involve much movement. So, all you need to do is to slightly increase the covered region to include the movement area in your system completely. After fixing the positioning, you will experience better results with the motion detection features. 
6. Make sure the view of the camera has enough movement. If your camera is installed in a place where there's not much movement or it's not enough to reach the sensitivity threshold, the camera won't trigger motion detection. It is suggested to test it by just moving in yourself in front of the camera at different distances. If you have finished all the above steps but the problem still persists, please contact TP-Link support for further troubleshooting.

Description of C420 Smart Wireless

The TP-Link Tapo C420 Smart Wireless Camera is a versatile and easy-to-use home security camera. With 1080p resolution and night vision, you'll be able to see clear and detailed footage day or night. The camera's motion detection feature will send alerts to your phone when motion is detected, so you can stay informed even when you're not at home. The two-way audio feature allows you to communicate with anyone near the camera, making it a great choice for a nursery or front door camera. The Tapo C420 is also weatherproof, so you can use it indoors or outdoors. The camera works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control it with your voice. The SD card slot allows for local storage, giving you peace of mind in case of a Wi-Fi outage.

TP-Link Tapo C420 Smart Wireless Camera Setup Guide

Setting up the TP-Link Tapo Smart Wireless Camera is easy:

1. Download the Tapo app on your smartphone
2. Create a TP-Link account
3. Power on the camera and follow the instructions in the app to connect it to your Wi-Fi network
4. Place the camera in your desired location and adjust the settings as needed

Troubleshooting Tapo C420

If you're having trouble with your TP-Link Tapo C420 Smart Wireless Camera, here are some common solutions:

• Make sure the camera is powered on and properly connected to your Wi-Fi network
• Check that the camera is within range of your Wi-Fi network
• Make sure the camera's lens is clean and unobstructed
• Restart the camera and try again
• If the problem persists, try resetting the camera to its factory settings

Pros & Cons TP-Link Tapo C420

Pros

• 1080p resolution and night vision
• Motion detection with alerts
• Weatherproof and easy to install
• Two-way audio
• Affordable price

Cons

• No battery backup
• No zoom function

Customer Reviews

Customers love the TP-Link Tapo C420 Smart Wireless Camera for its clear video, easy setup, and affordable price. Some common complaints include the lack of a zoom function and the inability to use the camera without a Wi-Fi connection.