Start with the last successful stage

Separate no power, pairing-mode failure, QR or Bluetooth handoff, network rejection, missing live view, outdoor dropouts, and missing alerts. These symptoms have different next checks. Write down the indicator pattern and exact error text, then change one variable at a time. Restarting the camera, phone, app, and router together can hide which layer failed.

Use brand guidance only for the matching model

Birdfy’s current feeder instructions describe its own pairing buttons, light behavior, and QR-code flow. Birdbuddy and Perky-Pet publish different sequences and requirements. Use those pages as model-specific examples—not interchangeable recipes. Confirm the product name and hardware revision before using a reset, removing an account, changing router settings, or deciding the camera is defective.

Prove the connection before remounting

After a successful near-router test, leave the camera online long enough to check live view and reconnection, then test intermediate outdoor positions. If only alerts fail, use the notification path instead of repeating Wi-Fi pairing. If the camera repeatedly disconnects after previously working, record timing, power, weather, and router changes before moving the feeder or adding network equipment.