Diagnosis
The camera's Wi-Fi radio is weaker than your phone's. It is likely placed in a location with obstructions or at the edge of the router's range.
How to Fix It
Check the camera's real-time signal strength. In the Owlet app, go to Camera Settings > Device Info. Note the 'Wi-Fi Strength' value. It must be -67 dBm or stronger (closer to zero). Reposition the camera or your router. The camera requires a clear line-of-sight path to the router, avoiding thick walls, large metal objects, or baby monitors on similar frequencies. Relocate the camera to a higher position if possible.
If That Didn't Work
Your Wi-Fi channel is congested. Download a free Wi-Fi analyzer app on your phone. Check the 2.4 GHz band for the least crowded channel (1, 6, or 11). Log into your router's admin panel. Manually set the 2.4 GHz band to that uncrowded channel. Save settings and reboot the router. Then power cycle the camera.
Heads Up
The camera uses a continuous high-bandwidth upload. Interference from microwaves, cordless phones, or Bluetooth speakers can disrupt the stream. Ensure the camera is at least 10 feet from such devices. Mesh Wi-Fi systems can cause issues if the camera jumps between nodes; temporarily disable node switching or assign the camera to a single, stable node.