Getting a security camera is a wise investment, but there’s always a chance your camera may get offline once in a while, and the financial cost of a shut-down surveillance system could be devastating, especially in mission-critical applications. So it’s important you know how to troubleshoot the problems and mitigate possible downtime.
What are the common problems if security cameras not working? And how to solve them?
Problem 1: Network Loss
If your camera runs on a wireless network, it may go offline if you lose the Internet service. But the camera will reboot after you regain the connection. Make sure the camera is not too far away from the router since the WiFi signal strength will deteriorate as distance increases. Interference may arise if there are multiple obstructions to pass through. The simplest way is to make sure the signal strength is within an appropriate range. But if there is any chance you cannot move the camera any closer, consider investing in a PoE extender or a WiFi booster. And sometimes, mistakes could happen when you connect the IP camera to the wrong SSID, a similar network closer to yours.
Problem 2: Broken Units
If the network connection is not a problem, then there may be something wrong with your IP camera. A malfunction inside the camera can cause it to stop working. To function properly, thousands of components inside the camera have to work collaboratively to keep it online. Even if one tiny part breaks down, the whole system will collapse. There are a few reasons for camera breakdowns: water ingress, rusting, etc. And sometimes, lightning surges could also fry PoE modules if the device is installed outdoors. But precautionary measures could be taken to ensure your security camera works properly.
Problem 3: Power Surges
Security cameras can also go offline after lightning strikes. Lighting can enter your network through power lines and network cables and cause sudden power surges. The surges can enter the network cable at any point and travel in either direction to inflict some major damage on the devices connected to the same Ethernet network before they find an exit for grounding. It’s worth mentioning that a power outage can bring down either the camera or the router, and sometimes take down both at once. Moreover, even if the camera is installed inside, it won’t be 100% safe because electromagnetic waves induced by lightning can still jeopardize its proper function.
Even though electrical surges are not common and are largely environmentally impacted, lightning strikes may induce on data lines and fry the circuits of the connected devices. Lightning surges will damage or destroy the electronic devices and wiring all at once or over time, increasing downtime and even causing you to lose important data. The best way to protect your cameras from power surges is using a surge protector to regulate abnormal electrical currents and mitigate over-voltages. Physically, a surge protector mainly has two functions: to keep the surge voltage within a safe threshold so that the dielectric strength of the PoE device will not be exceeded; and to discharge the excessive currents and surges to the ground. If the voltage exceeds the acceptable level, the surge protector will then divert the extra electricity into the grounding wire and discharge the surges to the ground.
When In Doubt, Ask a Professional for Help
If nothing seems to work, seek help from an expert. Fastcabling has launched various outdoor PoE solutions to help you build a safe network in harsh environments. In Fastcabling, you can get immediate and direct tech support for problem diagnosis and troubleshooting.