Amcrest Motion Detection Not Working? A Troubleshooting Guide
Amcrest cameras are powerful security tools, but their effectiveness hinges on the correct configuration of motion detection. Whether you are failing to receive critical alerts or are being overwhelmed by false notifications, an improperly configured system can be a major source of frustration.
This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough to help you troubleshoot and fine-tune your Amcrest camera's motion detection settings. We will cover both the Amcrest View Pro app and the more detailed web UI, using a professional and helpful tone with British English.
## Step 1: Check Notifications on Your Phone and App
Before blaming the camera, let's ensure the notification pathway to your phone is clear.
- Phone System Settings:
- On iOS (iPhone), go to 'Settings' -> 'Notifications' -> 'Amcrest View Pro' and ensure 'Allow Notifications' is turned on.
- On Android, go to 'Settings' -> 'Apps' -> 'Amcrest View Pro' -> 'Notifications' and make sure they are enabled.
- Amcrest View Pro App Settings:
- Open the app and go to the 'Configuration Center'.
- Select 'Push Notifications'.
- Make sure the toggle is ON for the camera(s) you want to receive alerts from. If it's off here, the app will not send you alerts, even if the camera detects motion.
## Step 2: Configure Motion Detection in the Web UI
For the most detailed control, it's best to log in to your camera's web user interface (UI) by typing its IP address into a browser.
- Navigate to 'Setup' -> 'Event' -> 'Motion Detect'.
- Ensure the 'Enable' box is ticked at the top.
Now, let's look at the key settings on this screen:
- Region: This is the most important setting for reducing false alarms. By default, the whole screen is active. Click the 'Region' button. You will see a grid overlaying the camera view. Clear the default region and draw new, smaller boxes ONLY over the areas you care about. For example, draw a box over your doorway and garden path, but not over the trees and bushes next to them.
- Sensitivity: This slider determines how much change in the image is required to trigger an event. A setting between 30 and 60 is often a good starting point. If you get too many false alerts, lower the sensitivity. If it's missing real events, increase it.
- Threshold: This is related to sensitivity and represents the amount of movement required. A lower value makes it more sensitive. Adjust this in small increments.
## Step 3: Set the Correct Schedule and Action
Telling the camera what to look for is not enough; you must also tell it when to look and what to do when it sees something.
- Schedule: On the 'Motion Detect' screen, click the 'Schedule' button. You will see a timetable for the week. Make sure the times you want motion detection to be active are enabled (usually by painting the time blocks yellow). You can set up different schedules for day and night or weekdays and weekends if needed.
- Action - Recording: This is a critical step. For motion events to be recorded to your MicroSD card, you must enable the recording action.
- Still on the 'Motion Detect' screen, ensure the 'Record' checkbox is ticked. This links motion detection to the recording function.
- Then, go to 'Setup' -> 'Storage' -> 'Schedule'.
- In this schedule, make sure the 'Motion' (yellow) box is ticked, and paint the timetable for the hours you want motion-triggered recordings to be saved.
- Action - Push Notifications: To get an alert on your phone, the 'Push' action must be enabled. In some firmware versions, this is labelled 'Notify Surveillance Center'. Tick this box in the 'Motion Detect' action list.
## Step 4: Check Storage and Firmware
- MicroSD Card: Navigate to 'Setup' -> 'Storage' -> 'Destination'. Ensure your MicroSD card is shown with the correct capacity and a status of 'Normal'. If it shows as 'Error' or is not visible, it may be faulty, full, or improperly formatted. You can try formatting the card from this menu (this will erase all footage).
- Firmware Update: Outdated firmware can have bugs. Go to 'Setup' -> 'System' -> 'Upgrade' and click 'Check Version' to see if a new firmware is available from Amcrest. Keeping your camera updated is essential for optimal performance.
By systematically working through these settings, you can create a reliable and accurate motion detection system for your Amcrest camera, ensuring you are alerted to the events that matter most.