What you need to know
- Wyze is recalling 321,360 Solar Cam Pan cameras in the US after reports of overheating, fires, explosions and minor burns.
- The problem isn’t the hardware itself, but confusing installation instructions that can lead users to puncture the camera’s lithium-ion battery with the wrong screw.
- The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 13 cases of overheating, including six fires or explosions and six minor burns.
Wyze’s newest security camera is facing a major setback just months after it hit the market.
Smart home company announced recalls approximately 321,360 Solar Cam Pans security cameras Following reports in the US of some units overheating, catching fire and causing minor burns. The recall follows an investigation that found the problem was not the underlying hardware design, but the camera’s installation instructions, which could have caused the user to accidentally damage the device’s lithium-ion battery.
The issue is how the Solar Cam Pan is installed. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has noted that some customers may have used a long flat head screw to secure the solar panel to the camera instead of the shorter head screw that should be used in this step. notes. If not installed correctly, the longer screw can pierce the metal case of the battery and cause rapid heating, fire, burns or even explosion.
Massive fire hazard
The CPSC said it received 13 reports of cells overheating, including six reports of units exploding or catching fire. Six consumers also received minor burns.
The recall relates to the wireless, model number WYZESCPWH Wyze Solar Cam Pan. The white outdoor camera, released in late 2025, was Wyze’s first battery-powered pan-and-tilt camera with an integrated solar panel that enables 2K video recording, AI-powered human tracking, and maintenance-free solar power charging.
The company had previously sounded the alarm about the product earlier this year. Wyze in April told customers To install or not to install a Solar Cam Pan while working with the CPSC on a safety review. The company has also disabled installation support for the camera within the Wyze app while it investigates the issue and develops revised instructions.
The affected cameras were sold between October 2025 and April 2026 through the Wyze website and major retailers. The price of the product is about 80 dollars.
How to participate in the recall
If your device fits the description, stop using it now. Start a claim official portal. You will need your device’s MAC address from the Wyze app to process the return. Interestingly, instead of you having to send back a burnt or volatile battery, Wyze will send a special firmware update to your camera that will completely drain and kill the battery within 48 hours. If disabled, you must complete an inspection form and confirm that the bricked appliance can be disposed of safely at your local municipal household hazardous waste collection point.
Eligible customers can choose a free replacement camera and solar panel accessory, a full refund, or a store gift card equal to the original purchase price. The company also requires customers to confirm proper disposal of the recalled device before a remedy is provided.
Android Central’s Take
I have to give credit to Wyze for providing a free upgrade to the objectively better Battery Cam Pro and handling the removal via a smart firmware update for remote kill. But it’s absolutely wild to me that a company whose entire brand is built on protecting your home could ship a product that tries to burn them all because someone didn’t check the length of the screws in the manual. That’s a nice apology, but maybe next time Wyze should read the instruction manual before shipping DIY explosive devices.
