7 Common CCTV Camera Problems and Solutions

CCTV cameras have made security and surveillance essential for homes and businesses. However, you can rely on a CCTV system as long as it is functional. Blurred footage, dropped connectivity, video loss, etc., can be annoying Common CCTV camera problems.

Also, they can be highly unreliable regardless of how much you have invested in the system. Hiring a CCTV Repair Dubai technician isn’t always practical, especially for small problems.

Ordinary homeowners may struggle to fix common CCTV camera issues by themselves. That’s why we have mentioned some common CCTV problems and their solutions so you can tackle them on your own.

How to Troubleshoot Common CCTV Problems

Is your CCTV camera not working? Or else, the connection might be dropping. Try simple troubleshooting for the CCTV camera issue. It might help before calling an expert. Let’s check out the most common CCTV problems and their respective solutions.

1. Camera Not Turning On

You wonder why your CCTV camera doesn’t turn on. Well, such power problems can stem from instances such as:

• Malfunctioning power outlets
• Defective power supply
• Intricate power issues

To solve the situation, you can try the following fixes:

• Test the corresponding power outlet with another CCTV camera.
• Try a different outlet if the previous one doesn’t work.
• Then, examine all the power connections to see if they are loose or damaged.
• Otherwise, try a different power adapter to turn on and operate your CCTV camera.

If nothing works, contact the manufacturer or a CCTV Repair Dubai technician for help.

2. No Video Transmission Available

Another common CCTV camera problem reported by users is that the LED is on but it fails to transmit the video feed. Technically, the connection dilemma might be responsible in this case.

Indeed, CCTV camera repair experts have found the following reasons to be responsible:

• Loose connections
• Harsh climate situations
• Damaged cables

Here’s what you can do to troubleshoot the issue:

• Inspect all the cable connections. Make sure that all them are tightly secured.
• In case you don’t find anything loose, check the cables and connections for visible damage.
• Ensure the cable run is of appropriate length. You can refer to the limitations on the cable length as specified by the manufacturer.
• Also, you can test the CCTV camera with a known and tried working cable.
• If it’s an IP camera, you must double-check the network settings.

3. Intermittent Connection

Do your CCTV cameras frequently disconnect and then reconnect? The major issue with this is that you can miss crucial events and have no log of them. Generally, the following instances trigger the intermittent connection among CCTV cameras:

• Weak Wi-Fi coverage
• Network congestion
• Signal interference due to physical obstructions or electronic devices.

As a quick way out, you can apply the solutions below:

• Start by monitoring the Wi-Fi signal strength. If that is significantly poor, consider installing a Wi-Fi extender.
• Also, check if your Wi-Fi network can support your cameras and their bandwidth needs.
• If you suspect interference, move those electronic devices and other heavy objects.
• If you still have connection issues, try a wired system for better stability.

4. Poor Image Quality

How to fix CCTV camera flickering issues? Many users have reported flickering and stripes in the image. As per CCTV Repair Dubai experts, poor-quality images are the consequence of

• Bad connection associated with the video cable
• Dust, dirt, or scratches on the camera lens
• Improper settings for focus, brightness, and contrast
• Current interference

Is it possible to address the poor image quality on your own? Well, you can try the solutions below to fix these common CCTV problems.

• Use a microfiber cloth to clean the camera lens.
• Also, check the connection for the video cable if possible.
• Access the system’s interface to change your CCTV camera settings.
• Also, ensure that your camera’s field of view isn’t obstructed by any object or any kind of interference.
• If you still face problems with focusing, adjust the camera’s settings. Make sure your camera focuses on the intended area for clear image capturing.

5. SD Card Failing to Store Footage

Among common CCTV camera problems, an SD card that can’t store video can be a massive interruption. Check for the underlying issue before you miss important updates. Then, find a suitable solution.

Here are some basic reasons why your CCTV camera’s SD card doesn’t store the video feed:

• Undetected SD card
• Disabled read/write status
• Full SD card
• Damaged SD card
• Incompatible SD card

So, the solutions to such circumstances are pretty evident, such as:

• Check if your surveillance system detects the SD card. Otherwise, you need to test with another known working SD card.
• Examine whether the SD card is set to a ‘read-only’ status. If yes, then you must change it to a read/write status.
• In case the SD card has reached its highest capacity, then you need to replace the storage device. Otherwise, you can format the current SD card through your CCTV camera’s web interface.
• Additionally, bring out the SD card from the CCTV camera not working. Then, check it carefully. If the SD card is damaged somehow, then it won’t work. A replacement is mandatory to resume the CCTV functionality.
• If it’s your first time checking your CCTV camera with an SD card, don’t forget to check its compatibility.

6. Issues with Night Vision

If your CCTV camera doesn’t have good night vision, it becomes useless. Your property could be at risk if your surveillance system has poor night vision.

Reasons for common CCTV problems are:

• Faulty IR cut filter
• Defective IR LEDs
• Too much ambient lighting interfering with the camera’s night vision settings

Well, how to fix CCTV camera flickering with night vision enabled? To troubleshoot such CCTV problems, you can attempt the following steps:

• Start by checking whether IR LEDs function. Ideally, they glow red in low or ambient light.
• To limit interference from other light, readjust the camera position.
• Besides, you can clean the IR LEDs and camera lens with a microfiber cloth.
• If required, add supplementary IR illuminators to cover the extended range.

7. Only Black and White Images

Is it your night-vision CCTV camera that records pictures in black and white? Before you complain about your CCTV camera not working, understand the reasons behind it.

If the ambient light is low, then your CCTV cameras can’t see colors. Hence, you get only black-and-white images. The same holds for your color CCTV camera as well. So, you can try the following solutions to get rid of such CCTV camera problems.

• The ambient lighting intensity and conditions must match the requirements of the CCTV camera. For that, you can install extra light sources before you consider switching to a new system.
• Also, the optical path must be unobstructed even if there is adequate lighting. 
• If your CCTV camera derives analog, component, or composite video signals, the input video type must be compatible with the output one.

If your CCTV camera still produces black-and-white footage, check the system for damage.

Seeking Professional Help?

If you keep having CCTV problems, no matter how often you try to fix them, reach out to an expert. A certified and experienced CCTV repair shop in Dubai can help you in emergencies. The experts can recommend the best-working solutions to maintain your security.