3 Reasons Your CCTV Camera Is Broken (And How to Fix It)
The popularity of CCTV cameras in India is on the rise. As per one estimate, the top 15 cities in the country are home to over 1.54 million surveillance cameras, and the numbers are expected to rise further. The growth isn't surprising by any means, as people are turning towards modern surveillance systems to increase the security of their homes and offices.
However, like all electronic devices, your surveillance cameras may occasionally malfunction or stop recording footage altogether. And if your security camera isn't working or the video keeps flickering on and off, your surveillance system is of no use.
But before you call in a professional technician to troubleshoot the problem, why not give it a try yourself? No, you do not need to possess advanced technical knowledge - some of the most common issues that cause your CCTV to malfunction can be fixed with little to no effort on your part.
Wondering how? Read on to learn about the top three reasons why your CCTV camera may stop working and what you can do to fix them.
3 Common Reasons For CCTV Camera Failure
- Power or Connection Problems
An inadequate power supply is perhaps the most common reason your CCTV camera may not work. A loose power cord might be the culprit behind the loss of video signal on your CCTV camera. Fixing this problem is easy - all you need to do is double-check whether the power cord and all other connections are well secured or not. And if something is out of place, simply tighten it.
If you have installed wireless CCTV cameras, make sure to check the wifi connection too. Sometimes a weak wifi connection may be the reason behind the lack of video signal. The solution is to ensure that the security camera isn't too far from your home router and that there aren't many barriers between the two. However, wireless CCTV cameras may fail to record video in case there is any interruption in the wifi signals.
Also, if the faulty camera runs on batteries, make sure to check whether the battery is dead or low on charge. Sometimes, replacing or recharging the battery is all you need to do to keep your security camera functioning properly.
- Faulty Wires And Cables
If your home or office has a wired CCTV surveillance system installed, the issue might lie with the wiring. For example, if the cables connecting your cameras have gotten twisted, it may result in weak signals or even total signal loss, depending on the condition of the wires.
The only way to fix this issue is to manually check every inch of the cables and wires connecting your home security system. Keep an eye out for bent cables or any type of degradation on the wiring. In case the wiring is damaged, you might need to replace it with new cables to get your surveillance system running.
- Firmware Issues
If the problem isn't caused by power and network issues or damaged wiring, the camera firmware might be at fault. Outdated firmware can sometimes result in video loss, which can jeopardize your home’s security. So, if you haven't updated your security camera’s firmware, that's what you need to do.
You need to first check if your camera is up to date with the latest firmware or whether there is a newer upgrade available. As many security camera manufacturing companies release firmware updates periodically, failing to upgrade your camera may result in performance issues. Once you update to the latest firmware, your camera will likely start functioning normally.
Summing Up
The demand for surveillance cameras and CCTV storage devices is on the rise due to the high level of security they offer. However, a surveillance system may fail due to various reasons and may leave your home or property vulnerable unless it is fixed in time.
We hope this article has given you a basic idea of the 3 most common reasons why your CCTV camera may not be working the way it's supposed to. If you are facing this problem, follow the tips mentioned above to fix it quickly. However, if you feel something else is causing the problem, it's a good idea to get your surveillance system checked by a professional.