Is Your Hik Connect Motion Detection Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It
It can be incredibly frustrating when your Hik Connect security system fails to detect motion or send you the alerts you rely on to keep your property safe. When motion detection isn't working, it undermines the core purpose of your surveillance setup. But don't worry, this is often a configuration issue that you can resolve with a few checks.
This guide will walk you through the most common reasons why Hik Connect motion detection might be failing and provide clear, step-by-step solutions to get it working correctly.
## First Steps: Checking the Basics
Before diving into complex settings, let's ensure the fundamentals are in place. These simple checks often resolve the majority of motion detection problems.
- Is Motion Detection Enabled? It might sound obvious, but it's the first thing to verify. Open your Hik Connect app, select the camera in question, and go into its Settings. Ensure that the Motion Detection toggle is switched on.
- Check Notification Settings: There are two places to check. First, within the Hik Connect app's settings, make sure that Push Notifications are enabled for motion events. Second, go into your smartphone's main settings, find the notification permissions for the Hik Connect app, and ensure they are allowed.
- Review the Schedule: Most Hikvision systems allow you to set a schedule for when motion detection is active. If it's not working during a specific time, check the Arming Schedule or Notification Schedule to ensure it's set to be active for that period.
## Advanced Troubleshooting for Motion Detection
If the basic checks didn't solve the problem, it’s time to look at more specific settings within your camera or NVR/DVR configuration. You may need to access this via a web browser on your computer for more detailed options.
### 1. Adjusting Motion Detection Sensitivity and Area
Receiving no alerts, or too many, can often be traced back to sensitivity and area settings.
- Sensitivity: If you're not getting alerts, the sensitivity might be too low. If you're getting false alarms from rain or insects, it might be too high. Navigate to the Event -> Basic Event -> Motion Detection menu. You will see a sensitivity slider, usually from 1 to 100. Try increasing it by increments of 10 to see if it starts picking up relevant motion.
- Detection Area: Your camera might be watching a busy area, but you only care about a specific part, like a doorway or gate. Use the Draw Area tool in the motion detection settings to select only the parts of the image where you want to detect motion. Deselect areas with constant movement, such as trees, flags, or roads.
### 2. Verify Recording and Storage Settings
If you're getting alerts but no recordings, the issue lies with your storage configuration.
- Check the Recording Schedule: In your device's storage settings, there is a recording schedule. This is often a grid representing the hours in a week. Ensure that the schedule is set to record on "Motion" (often coloured green) rather than "Continuous" (blue) or not at all.
- Hard Drive Status: Log into your NVR or DVR and check the Storage or HDD Management section. Ensure the hard drive is initialised, has free space, and its status is "Normal". If it's full or has an error, the system cannot save new recordings.
### 3. Network and Firmware Issues
Your device's connection to the internet is crucial for sending push notifications.
- Stable Network Connection: Ensure your camera or NVR has a stable connection to your router. A weak Wi-Fi signal or a faulty Ethernet cable can disrupt the service.
- Firmware Update: Manufacturers release firmware updates to fix bugs and improve performance. Check the Hikvision website or the device's web interface for the latest firmware version for your model. A bug in an older firmware version could be the cause of your issue. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when updating firmware.
By systematically working through these steps, you can identify and fix the root cause of your Hik Connect motion detection problems, restoring your peace of mind and ensuring your security system is working as intended.