Solving Axis Camera Motion Detection Not Working Issues
Axis network cameras are professional-grade surveillance tools known for their power and reliability. However, their advanced features require precise configuration. If your Axis camera is not recording on motion or sending alerts, the cause is almost always a misconfiguration in the setup, not a fault with the hardware.
This guide provides a systematic approach to troubleshooting motion detection on your Axis camera, focusing on the core components: the AXIS Video Motion Detection (VMD) application and the event rules that trigger recordings. These steps are applicable whether you are managing the camera directly through its web interface or via software like AXIS Camera Station.
The Core Components: Trigger and Action
For motion detection to work, you need two things:
- A Trigger: The camera must be running an application to detect motion. The most common is AXIS Video Motion Detection (VMD). This application analyses the video stream for changes.
- An Action: You must tell the camera what to do when the trigger occurs. This is done by creating an Event Rule, which links the VMD trigger to an action, such as 'start recording'.
If either part is missing or misconfigured, motion detection will fail.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the problem. You will need to log into your camera's web interface using its IP address.
1. Verify the VMD Application is Running
First, ensure the "engine" for motion detection is turned on.
- Navigate to the Settings tab in the camera's interface.
- On the left menu, go to Apps.
- You should see AXIS Video Motion Detection in the list of installed applications.
- Ensure it is running. There should be a green "Running" status indicator. If it says "Stopped", click the 'Start' button and ensure it loads correctly. If the application is not listed, you may need to download and install it from the Axis website.
2. Configure a VMD Profile
Once the application is running, you must tell it what to look for.
- In the Apps menu, click on AXIS Video Motion Detection to open its settings.
- You will see a default profile, or you can create a new one. Click to edit it.
- Define the Detection Area: By default, the entire image is monitored. You can create more precise 'Include windows' to only monitor specific areas (like a door) and 'Exclude windows' to ignore others (like a busy street). This is critical for reducing false alarms.
- Adjust Filters:
- Smallest object: Increase this size to prevent the camera from triggering on small things like animals or litter.
- Swaying object filter: This is very important. Enable this filter to teach the VMD to ignore objects that move but don't change position, such as trees or bushes swaying in the wind.
- Sensitivity: Adjust the sensitivity of the detection. Start with the default and adjust as needed.
3. Create the Event Rule for Recording
This is the most commonly missed step. The camera can detect motion perfectly, but if there is no rule telling it to record, nothing will be saved.
- In the camera's main Settings menu, navigate to Events on the left panel.
- Click on Rules.
- Create a new rule by clicking the '+' button.
- Give the rule a name (e.g., "Record on VMD").
- Set the Condition (The Trigger):
- From the dropdown list of triggers, select Applications.
- Then choose AXIS Video Motion Detection (VMD) and the profile you configured (e.g., Profile 1).
- Set the Action (The Result):
- From the dropdown list of actions, select Record Video.
- Choose the correct stream profile and set pre-buffer and post-buffer times (e.g., 5 seconds before and 30 seconds after the event).
- Click 'Save'.
Your system is now logically connected. The VMD app will detect motion (the condition) and trigger the event rule, which then executes the action (to record video).
4. Test the System
After saving your rule, you can test it by walking in front of the camera. In the live view of AXIS Camera Station or the web interface, you should see a red recording indicator appear when you move within the defined detection zone. If it records as expected, your setup is now correct. If not, carefully review each of the steps above, as a misstep in any one of them will break the chain of events.