If you're like most people, your home is filled with all sorts of gadgets and appliances that are connected to the internet. From your TV to your thermostat, just about everything in your home can be controlled wirelessly. But what happens to all those devices when the internet goes down?
The Dangers of Wi-Fi Dependent Smart Devices
A smart appliance is only as smart as the network it's connected to, and a huge number of devices in people's homes are completely dependent on a wireless internet connection. This means that if the network goes down, so does your ability to control those devices.
And it's not just the television and the thermostat that are at risk. A smart home also contains a number of security devices such as motion sensors and alarms, which rely on network connectivity to alert authorities in case of an emergency. The same goes for any appliances that have a smart alert system, which can send you push notifications when something goes wrong.
What Happens to Your Smart Home if the Internet Goes Down?
In most cases, a smart home will still function without a wireless internet connection. However, many of the devices will not be able to be controlled remotely, and some features may not work. Let's take a look at some of the most popular smart appliances on the market and how they'll fare if you lose your internet connection:
Voice Assistants
A smart home wouldn't be complete without a voice assistant like the Amazon Alexa or Google Home, which users can tell to turn on certain devices by name.
However, these voice assistants rely on an internet connection for their full functionality. Without it, you'll still be able to use them for limited tasks like setting alarms and playing music, but you won't be able to control any devices by voice.
Some Wi-Fi Security Cameras Won't Work at All
Given the number of Wi-Fi-dependent devices in a typical smart home, it's no surprise that many security cameras are also Wi-Fi enabled. But what happens if the network goes down and you're relying on those cameras to keep an eye on your property?
In most cases, the camera will simply stop working. The Nest Cam is no exception and doesn't let you do anything from within its app. You get a "your camera is offline" message when trying to view past video recordings.
The Nest Cam is smart enough to know when its connection has been cut and will send you an alert. But other Wi-Fi cams rely heavily on a stable internet connection in order to record anything, so make sure they can record locally.
If you have a Wi-Fi camera that can record video locally to an attached USB device or SD card, then your luck may just hold out if the power goes out. The camera will still record video and save it to the device. The only downside is that you'll have to play it back later on a computer or TV.
Will Smart Locks Work Without Internet?
If your home uses any type of smart lock, you'll be happy to know that they will still work even if the power goes out. This includes door locks that are controlled over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a physical keypad.
Most smart locks let you manually lock and unlock the door even without a network connection. You will just lose the convenience of using your phone as a key.
Smart Lights Can Still Work Locally
If you have smart lights that are controlled by a wireless connection, don't worry. They will still work even if the network is down. The only catch is that you'll have to control them manually.
Philips Hue smart lights, for example, can be controlled using a wireless connection or by using the included remote. So, even if the network is down, you'll still be able to turn your lights on and off, but you won't be able to control them from your phone.
What Will Happen With Smart Thermostats?
Many people are using smart thermostats to save money on their energy bills, but what happens if the network goes down?
In most cases, a smart thermostat will still work even if the internet is down.
The Nest Thermostat will act as a regular thermostat. You can still adjust the temperature manually, and it will keep your programmed settings when the network comes back up. Without an internet connection, you will not be able to take advantage of the Nest's learning features or remotely change the temperature.
Smart Smoke Detectors
If you have a smart smoke detector, like the Nest Protect, it will continue to work even without a network connection.
Even if the network is down, the Nest Protect will still detect smoke and carbon monoxide and sound an alert. The only catch is that you won't be able to get notifications, view status on your phone, or update settings in the app.
Smart Home Appliances
If you have any smart appliances, you will still be able to use them even without an internet connection. However, you will not be able to control them with your phone.
Most smart appliances these days will still work without an internet connection. You can usually control them using a physical remote or by pressing buttons on the appliance itself.
If the power goes out and the internet is down, you will still be able to use your smart appliances, but you won't be able to control them from your phone. This may not be an issue for some people, but it could be a deal-breaker for others.
Can Your Smart Home Live Without the Internet?
In most cases, a smart home will still be able to function without a wireless internet connection. However, many features may not work, and some appliances may not be controllable remotely. Make sure you know what works and what doesn't before an emergency strikes.
So, if you're one of the many people who rely on a smart home to make your life easier, don't worry. You may just have to live without some of the conveniences that a connected home provides. But, in the end, your smart home will still be functional.