Camera not returning to park position after 'auto tracking' because its then detecting cars!

Camera not returning to park position after 'auto tracking' because its then detecting cars!

Camera not returning to park position after 'auto tracking' because its then detecting cars!
Camera not returning to park position after 'auto tracking' because its then detecting cars!
2025-08-15 09:44:25 - last edited 3 weeks ago
Model: Tapo C520WS  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version: 1.1.2

I have recently installed a C520WS and a C530WS. I'm mighty impressed with them, especially now I have got notifications working on my Google home devices.
But one issue I'm having is that they don't return to their parked (i.e. default detection) position following an auto tracking event, if that then points the camera onto the road where it's then detecting passing traffic.

In the example below I have a camera looking down the drive and the road is outside of the detection zone. Each time a vehicle or person comes up the drive, it detects just fine, tracks them in and then returns to the park position just fine. However, when the car or person is leaving, it tracks them onto the road, but then starts detecting every passing car, sending repeating notifications and wont return until the road is quiet for a period. The issue is that when the camera points upwards when tracking, the road is then within it's detection zone and it's then constantly detecting passing traffic, which in turn is constantly sending notifications to my phone and voice notifications throughout the house on the Google homes. I then have to go into the camera, pan & tilt, and select a preset to point it back down on the drive so the road is out of the detection area.|
Is there a work around? I've tried a patrol mode but that doesn't seem to be the solution.

  0      
  0      
#1
Options
1 Accepted Solution
Re:Camera not returning to park position after 'auto tracking' because its then detecting cars!-Solution
2025-08-19 10:46:35 - last edited 3 weeks ago

  @Matt_in_UK 

Hi,
Typically, the camera won't detect events when it's panning or tilting, and the camera will return to the original position after tracking if no new event is detected for 30 seconds.
In your situation, if you are requesting a new feature to let the camera return to the original position soon after tracking an event, instead of continuing to detect new events after tracking, I'll log it and forward it to the relevant team for evaluation.
If not, please describe the requested feature in detail.

 

If you found that the camera falsely detected events, please provide the following information for further analysis.
  1. Please go to the camera's Device Settings > Detection page and send us a screenshot of this page.
  2. Send us a video showing the camera falsely detecting events.

 

You can upload the video and screenshot 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

Recommended Solution
  0  
  0  
#4
Options
3 Reply
Re:Camera not returning to park position after 'auto tracking' because its then detecting cars!
2025-08-18 06:43:21

  @Matt_in_UK 

Hi,
It's normal for the camera to track a person/vehicle in the road when the road is within the detection zone based on your camera settings. In this situation, please check if it's possible to adjust the camera's installation position so that it cannot pan/tilt to view the road. 
Best Regards

  0  
  0  
#2
Options
Re:Camera not returning to park position after 'auto tracking' because its then detecting cars!
2025-08-18 09:00:20

  @Solla-topee With the current software, there's only two solutions: reduce the detection zone which then makes it next to useless or turn off tracking so it never points upwards towards the road. That isn't really an option either as the camera needs to swivel 180 degrees to track a person or vehicle up the drive and film them from behind.
The ideal solution would be a setting that turn off the set detection zone during tracking. That would improve the pan/tilt cameras so much as theres many times where tracking then starts giving false alarms. For example, it then starts detecting parked cars on the drive.

  0  
  0  
#3
Options
Re:Camera not returning to park position after 'auto tracking' because its then detecting cars!-Solution
2025-08-19 10:46:35 - last edited 3 weeks ago

  @Matt_in_UK 

Hi,
Typically, the camera won't detect events when it's panning or tilting, and the camera will return to the original position after tracking if no new event is detected for 30 seconds.
In your situation, if you are requesting a new feature to let the camera return to the original position soon after tracking an event, instead of continuing to detect new events after tracking, I'll log it and forward it to the relevant team for evaluation.
If not, please describe the requested feature in detail.

 

If you found that the camera falsely detected events, please provide the following information for further analysis.
  1. Please go to the camera's Device Settings > Detection page and send us a screenshot of this page.
  2. Send us a video showing the camera falsely detecting events.

 

You can upload the video and screenshot 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

Recommended Solution
  0  
  0  
#4
Options