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Solution What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking

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Solution What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking

SolutionWhat to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2025-06-12 10:26:54 - last edited Thursday
Tags: #Highlighted Thread #Official #Motion Tracking

This Article Applies to:

 

Tapo C500 2.0/TC40 2.0
Tapo C510 2.0/TC41 2.0
Tapo C520 2.0/TC42 2.0
Tapo C530 2.0/TC43 2.0
Tapo C560WS V1
Tapo C660 V1

 

Phenomenon Description:

 

The cameras listed above aim to return to their original position when no events are detected within 30 seconds after tracking. However,
  1) The camera does not return to the correct position after tracking, and its viewpoint is offset.
  2) When tilting or panning the camera, the Tapo app prompts that it has reached the limit position even though it has not.

 

Troubleshooting Tips:

 

1. You can reboot the camera, or tap the Pan & Tilt Correction in the Tapo app > camera's Device Settings > Pan & Tilt page to see if this helps.

 

2. The R&D team has developed new firmware to address this issue. Before the official release, beta firmware is available for testing. 
Click here to contact the TP‑Link technical support team and request access to the beta firmware. Please include the following information in your email when submitting your request.

  • A description of the phenomenon you are experiencing. 
  • A description of the troubleshooting you did.
  • The camera's MAC address. You can find it in the Tapo app > camera's Device Settings > Device Info page.
  • A video or screenshots showing the camera's viewpoints before and after tracking.

 

Before the Upgrade:
(1) Please be sure you have read the Beta Test Agreement before upgrading the Pre-release firmware!
(2) How to update the firmware of the Tapo devices on the Tapo App
(3) Firmware downgrade is not supported. When a new official version is released, updating it will overwrite the beta version.
 

 

More Articles:


What to do if the Detection feature is not working on the TP-Link Camera?
Introduction to Motion Tracking and Auto tracking feature

How to View Your Tapo Camera Remotely via RTSP/ONVIF
 

>> Smart Home: Introduction to Common Smart Action Scenarios for Tapo Cameras >> Tapo Camera Day/Night Mode Selection Guide: Best Settings Recommendations for Different Scenarios >> Enhance Your Tapo App Experience: Introduction to Several Practical Features >> Troubleshooting for Tapo Camera's Privacy Mode Automatic Activation
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20 Reply
Re:What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2025-11-10 20:06:09

  @Solla-topee 

Is there a plan to add the feature that my much older Kasa camera had, that there is a user defined default position?

Rebooting the camera automatically detects the full range then centers itself. If it went to the position I tell it to, instead of defaulting to straight ahead, this problem would not exist.

Camera set to reboot and it's back to where I want it.

My camera loses it's "aim" every day. It ends up looking at the wall or windowsill. Totally useless like this.

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Re:What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2025-11-11 08:27:24

  @PtrJns 

Hi,  
Generally, after a Tapo camera restarts, it will pan and tilt back to its previous position before rebooting, rather than pan and tilt to a specific position.
 
It's suggested to start a new thread here with your Kasa camera's model number, hardware version, firmware version, and a detailed description of the phenomenon you encountered for further assistance.

 

Best Regards

>> Smart Home: Introduction to Common Smart Action Scenarios for Tapo Cameras >> Tapo Camera Day/Night Mode Selection Guide: Best Settings Recommendations for Different Scenarios >> Enhance Your Tapo App Experience: Introduction to Several Practical Features >> Troubleshooting for Tapo Camera's Privacy Mode Automatic Activation
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Re:What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2025-12-15 11:28:01 - last edited 2025-12-15 11:29:35

  @Solla-topee 

 

Got a brand new camera c560ws and after tracking, the camera doesn't return to its original preset as well.  Will there be a fix?  It sucks because I really like the camera. 

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Re:What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2025-12-16 04:01:31

  @JFan 

Hi, 
Please provide the following information for further analysis.
  1. Please send us the screenshots of the camera's live view page before and after tracking.
  2. Send me the camera's MAC address via a private message.

 

You can upload the screenshots to your cloud server (such as Google Drive), generate a download link, and send it to me (@Solla-topee) via a private message.

 

Best Regards

>> Smart Home: Introduction to Common Smart Action Scenarios for Tapo Cameras >> Tapo Camera Day/Night Mode Selection Guide: Best Settings Recommendations for Different Scenarios >> Enhance Your Tapo App Experience: Introduction to Several Practical Features >> Troubleshooting for Tapo Camera's Privacy Mode Automatic Activation
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Re:What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2026-01-03 15:51:30

  @Solla-topee 

Hi I have also the same issue. Beautiful C660 V1.0 cameras, and have the same tracking issues. If the cameras move, they dont return to the previous positions. This eventually leads to drift and the cameras face an extreme direction, which then it tells me it can't move any further. Recalibrations and reboots don't help. I sent an email with the screenshots and MAC addresses.

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Re:What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2026-01-07 17:59:29

  @Mr_A_A I am also having the same issue this is outrageous for the price and technology these have, why can't tapo add a default home position to return to? Even generic Amazon cameras have this 

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Re:What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2026-01-08 20:47:27

  @Solla-topee 

The email address for support outside the USA doesn't work

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Re:What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2026-01-09 01:53:58

  @Sopha1961 

Hi, 
Please double-check whether you have typed the correct email address. The email address support.forum@tp-link.com is still in use.
Best Regards

>> Smart Home: Introduction to Common Smart Action Scenarios for Tapo Cameras >> Tapo Camera Day/Night Mode Selection Guide: Best Settings Recommendations for Different Scenarios >> Enhance Your Tapo App Experience: Introduction to Several Practical Features >> Troubleshooting for Tapo Camera's Privacy Mode Automatic Activation
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Re:What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2026-01-10 23:30:02 - last edited 2026-01-10 23:31:25

I agree. There should be a user defined default view. Let's say first save point and it should go back to this once tracking is done. Why is this so hard? And resetting should at least go back to middle then default. Mine keeps pointing to the right even after a reset. I do not understand. I am trying hard to sell Tapo but I may have to go back to my reolinks if this is not fixed usable. Most of the time it tracks me to garage then points to my wall and never records anything all day. 

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Re:What to do if the Tapo Pan/Tilt camera can't return to its original position properly after tracking
2026-01-12 06:13:22

  @Deremi 

Hi, 
Usually, the camera's position where it started tracking the event is the original position. After tracking an event, the camera will return to its original position after 30 seconds if no new events are detected.
In your situation, does the camera not return to its original position after tracking and keep pointing to the right of it? If so, please refer to the Workaround in this thread for further assistance.
Best Regards

>> Smart Home: Introduction to Common Smart Action Scenarios for Tapo Cameras >> Tapo Camera Day/Night Mode Selection Guide: Best Settings Recommendations for Different Scenarios >> Enhance Your Tapo App Experience: Introduction to Several Practical Features >> Troubleshooting for Tapo Camera's Privacy Mode Automatic Activation
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#11
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