I've seen several other threads around here with what sounds like similar issues, so I have decided to make my own post and hopefully get some new insight into what on earth the problem I am having is, and why suddenly my Tapo devices just seem to hate my new modem so much :(

 

Background

 

Used a Tapo C100 for years with little to no issues. Camera set up was a breeze, everything worked as intended. Recomended Tapo to everyone I knew who was looking for a simple home security and monitoring device that worked well and was cost effective.

 

About a month ago, I got a new modem. I decided to upgrade simply because the modem I had was getting older.

 

Recieved a new Hitron CODA 458 modem, a common name in modem/router combinations and a pretty commonly issued device by ISPs in Canada.

 

Initially, I was able to connect my C100 with no problems. However, it only remained connected for a day or so, and then decided it no longer wanted to be on my Wifi Network.

 

All the troubleshooting tips I read were suggesting I should reset the device using the pinhole button and set it up again. I did that. Except this time, the camera did not want to pair.

 

I thought perhaps the camera had stopped working correctly, as at this point it was also a few years old. Since I liked Tapo, I decided to upgrade to a C200. Ordered it, opened it when it arrived, plugged everything in carefully and went to set it up following in instructions. Lo and behold, it also failed to pair right out of the box.

 

After following all of the troubleshooting tips on my end that I could, I contacted Tapo Support through webchat. With the help of an agent, I was able to get the camera to connect. The fix was a little odd - during the pairing failed screen he suggested I close the app and open it again, which I did. That seemed to correct something and my C200 was working great!

 

Fast forward a week later. My internet went out, so I did a reset of my modem (soft reboot, as is sometimes needed), and my C200 decided it no longer liked my Wifi and refused to connect. Once again, I reset it using the reset button and started through the setup process. Much like when I first tried to connect it, it refused to pair. Closing the app and re-opening it during the failed pairing also no longer seems to work. Sometimes it flat out refuses to connect to my Wifi Network, but when it does, it will never get past the pairing step. I

 

Troubleshooting

 

I have been through the troubleshooting steps so many times, to avoid having someone come back to me and suggest 'have you tried restarting your modem?' I am going to list all of the steps I have taken here:

 

1. Disabled my modem's Firewall, as well as any VPN passthrough and other such security options.

 

2. Disabled Band Steering.

 

3. Made sure that the Tapo C200 was connecting to the 2.4 band network, and not the 5G, I even completely disabled 5G, just to be safe.

 

4. Made sure that my phone, and the modem were all in close proximity.

 

5. Completely reset my modem, phone, and logged out of the Tapo app and logged back in.

 

I'm going to have another chat with a Tapo WebAgent later today and see if we can get the camera working again. I just don't understand how something can work so well with my Wifi network, then decide suddenly it doesn't want to anymore and refuse to connect or pair despite having changed nothing. I use my C200 for my home security, and part of what is important when it comes to security is consistancy. I am very close to giving up on Tapo and looking for another brand that won't make my life hell every time it needs to be reconnected.