Finding Problems in Your IP Camera System
We are frequently asked to help correct problems with IP camera systems. Troubleshooting the surveillance camera system can be challenging. Here is a list of things that could help.
Does the IP Camera have power?
It’s not easy to see the little red light on the camera or the light on the RJ45 connection port. Many new IP cameras use PoE, so make sure the network cable is plugged in and provides power to the camera.
Another pitfall may be the PoE network switch itself. Some PoE switches do not have enough power to supply 15W to every port and will not provide power to another camera if it is already overloaded. To troubleshoot, connect the camera to a suitable PoE injector or midspan to see if that is the problem.
Reboot the IP Camera
There are several jokes about rebooting your computer; well, it’s also a good idea to reboot the camera before trying other things.
Unplug the power by disconnecting the network connection or unplugging the power connection to reboot the camera. Wait about 15 seconds before plugging in the IP camera.
Is the camera connected to the network?
Bad connections cause many problems. Connectors are the primary cause of failure in all electronic equipment. It’s always best practice to check that both sides of the cable are connected to the right place. If in doubt, check the source with a working IP camera.
Does the IP Camera appear on your network?
Make sure that the IP camera is on your network. Use ipconfig to check the network. Open the command prompt and type “ipconfig” (without the quotes) into the terminal. The Default Gateway (listed last) is your router’s IP. Your computer’s IP address is the number next to “IP Address.” Make sure that your computer (or NVR) is on the same network as the camera. For example, if your computer IP address starts with 192.168.xxx.xxx, your camera should also have the same IP range.
Use the Ping Command to check if the camera is connected
It is essential to check that the IP camera is connected to the rest of your IP camera system. To check that the camera is on the network, use the “ping” command—type “ping” to open a DOS command prompt in the Windows search box. Use this command to see if you can connect to the camera. For example, if your camera’s address is 192.168.2.135, use “ping 192.168.2.135 -t” at the command prompt. If you receive “, Destination Host Unreachable” or “Request Timed Out” replies, it means you are not connecting to the camera via the network. There are several reasons for that, the most basic being that the camera and the computer are on different networks or subnets. If you receive proper connection replies, use a web browser or the manufacturer’s discovery utility to connect to the camera.
Check the Password of Your IP Camera
If you can ping the camera but cannot connect to it with the VMS, web browser, or discovery tool, it might be because of an incorrect login or password. If you’re uncertain about the password, you can return the IP camera to the manufacturer defaults. Check the manufacturer for details about resetting the camera. Once you reset the camera, you can find a list of default passwords at IPVM.
Check if the camera IP addresses are in conflict
If two or more IP addresses on your network are the same, it can cause problems on your network. Knowing the Camera’s MAC address helps you find a camera’s IP address. It’s usually printed somewhere on most units on the camera or housing. You can use the ARP command to show the IP and MAC addresses of devices connected to the network. Type “arp -a” at the command prompt. You can find the camera’s IP address by knowing the MAC address and vice versa.
Check your virus and malware protection
Sometimes the virus protection software is too thorough and blocks your application software from reaching the IP cameras. If nothing else fixes your problem, try turning the virus software off for a short period. If that helps, you should find a control that unlocks the IP camera.
Remember to do one step at a time
As you troubleshoot your problem, make sure you do one thing at a time. Test the results of any steps before moving to the next step. This will help you isolate the problem.
If all else fails
Contact Kintronics or the manufacturer’s tech support if you can’t fix the problem. You may need to contact both the IP camera manufacturer and the video recording system manufacturer for help.
Summary of Troubleshooting Your IP Camera System
You can check several things before calling for help, such as checking the power and the network connections. Don’t spend too much time troubleshooting the IP camera system. If these suggestions don’t help, give us a call.
If you need help with your IP camera Systems, IP door access control, or paging systems, don’t hesitate to contact us at 800-431-1658 in the USA or 914-944-3425 everywhere else, or else use our contact form.