How to Configure Motion Detection Sensitivity for Reolink Cameras

To determine the ideal sensitivity setting for accurately detecting motion, you can review the working mechanism below and then adjust the sensitivity accordingly.

Applies to: All Reolink cameras except battery-powered cameras.

Important Notes for Motion Sensitivity Settings

1. You can adjust the motion sensitivity of Reolink cameras using a slider that allows you to set a value between 1 and 50 — drag left to decrease sensitivity and right to increase it. Higher sensitivity levels result in more responsive motion detection.

2. Time Period Settings

You can set different motion sensitivity values for the four time periods.
You can adjust the start and end times for each period to match changing lighting conditions.
We recommend setting higher sensitivity (10-50) during the day and lower sensitivity (1-10) at night.

3. We kindly suggest testing the system at various times for optimal sensitivity settings throughout the day and night.

Step-by-Step to Set Up Motion Detection Sensitivity

Via Reolink App

Here is a video for your reference:

Before setting up, upgrade the Reolink App to the latest version and the device to the latest firmware version.

Step 1. Log in to your device on the Reolink App to access the Smart Detection page.

Note: The navigation path differs depending on the device connection.
For the standalone camera (left image) — tap the icon > Smart Detection;
For Reolink camera added to Home Hub/NVR (right image) — tap the icon next to the camera> Smart Detection;

Step 2. Tap Motion Detection to set its sensitivity and schedule. Drag the slider to adjust the sensitivity.

Step 3. Tap Add Sensitivity Schedule to customize the sensitivity in different time frames.

Step 4. Tap to set the Start Time and End Time. Tap Confirm to save the time setting.

Step 5. Set sensitivity based on your needs. Tap Save on the top right to save the settings.

Step 6. If you would like to edit the schedule that you've set up before, tap edit to edit the schedule.
Via Reolink Client

Here is a video for your reference:

Before setting up, make sure you have downloaded the latest Reolink Client version on your PC. Log in to your device on the Reolink Client.

Step 1. Access the Sensitivity page.

Note: The navigation path differs depending on the device connection.
❶ For standalone camera — Click the icon > Smart Detection > Sensitivity.

❷ For camera added to Home Hub/NVR — Click to expand the cameras. Then click the icon next to the camera > Smart Detection > Sensitivity.

Step 2. Adjust the Sensitivity, then add the Time Period and configure the sensitivity for different time periods.
Via Reolink Web browser

Applies to: All Reolink cameras and NVRs except battery-powered cameras, Reolink E1, Reolink E1 Pro, and Reolink Lumus, and the add-on cameras in the NVR Kit. For details of the models that can be accessed via web browsers, refer to Which Reolink Devices Can Be Accessed via Web Browsers.

Step 1. Log in to your camera via a web browser. Click the gear icon on the top right to get to the device settings page.

Step 2. Click Device > Alarm Settings > Sensitivity > Motion Detection. Choose the sensitivity that you would like to set for the camera.

If your camera supports smart detection, click Sensitivity > Smart Detection to adjust the sensitivity for Person, Vehicle, or Pet.

Step 3. Click Add Time Period. You can set up four different time periods with different sensitivities for the camera.
Via Reolink NVR (New UI)

Applies to: RLN8-410 (hardware version NVR_NNT3NA78P / N7MB01 / N3MB01 / N2MB02 / H3MB18), RLN16-410 (hardware version NVR_NNT4NA716P / N6MB01 / H3MB18), RLN4E, RLN36, RLN12W, NVS4E, NVS8, NVS12W, NVS16, NVS36, RP-PN8, RP-PN16, RP-N64.

Here is a video that will show you how to set motion detection via the NVR System.

Step 1. Connect your Reolink NVR to a monitor via HDMI/VGA.

Step 2. Right-click on the screen, then click the icon > Camera > Select the camera channel > Detection > MD Sensitivity.

Note: The MD Sensitivity setting is controlled by a slider, allowing you to set it from Low to High.

Step 3. Click Add Time Period. You can set up four different time periods with different sensitivities for the camera.
Via Reolink NVR (Old UI)

Note: This applies to RLN4-410 (hardware version H3MB17), RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB02), RLN8-410-E, RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB02/H3MB06)

Step 1. Log in to the Reolink PoE NVR via a NVR monitor, then go to Menu > Alarm > Motion page. Select the Channel you want to set and check Enable.

Step 2. Click Set button next to Motion Detection, then right-click the interface and select Sensitivity to set up it. Click Apply to save the settings.