Hikvision Camera Stopped Working? Here's Your Fix.
A Hikvision security camera that has suddenly stopped working can be a major concern. Whether the video feed has gone black, the camera appears offline in your app, or it's simply not recording, the issue disrupts your security coverage. The good news is that most of the time, the problem is caused by a simple power, network, or configuration issue that you can fix yourself.
This comprehensive troubleshooting guide will walk you through the essential steps to diagnose why your Hikvision camera has stopped working and help you get it back online and operational.
Step 1: The Essential Power Check
Before diving into complex network settings, we must confirm the camera is receiving power. This is the most common failure point.
### How to Verify Power
- Check the Infrared (IR) LEDs: The easiest way to check for power is to look at the camera at night or cup your hands around the lens to make it dark. You should see a faint red glow from the small IR LEDs surrounding the lens. If you see this red glow, the camera is getting power, and you can proceed to Step 2.
- Inspect the Power Supply: If you see no red glow, check the camera's power source. For PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras, ensure the NVR's PoE port is active or the PoE switch is powered on. For cameras with a separate 12V adapter, make sure the adapter is plugged in and functional.
- Swap Components: If possible, try a different Ethernet cable, a different PoE port on your NVR, or a different 12V power adapter that you know is working. This helps you isolate a faulty cable or power supply.
Step 2: Investigate Network Connectivity
If you've confirmed the camera has power, the next logical step is to check its connection to your network.
### For Wired Cameras (PoE/Ethernet)
- Check Physical Connections: Ensure the Ethernet cable is securely clicked into place at both the camera end and the NVR/switch end. The small LED lights on the port should be flashing, indicating data transfer.
- Reboot Your Network Gear: Rebooting your NVR (or PoE switch) and your main internet router can resolve many temporary network glitches. Power them down, wait 30 seconds, and power them back on.
### For Wi-Fi Cameras
- Check Wi-Fi Signal: Have you recently moved your router or the camera? A weak Wi-Fi signal could be the cause.
- Router Changes: Did you recently change your Wi-Fi password or network name (SSID)? If so, the camera will be unable to connect, and you will need to re-configure it with the new Wi-Fi credentials.
Step 3: Use the SADP Tool to Find Your Camera
The Hikvision SADP (Search Active Devices Protocol) tool is essential for troubleshooting. It's a free piece of software for your Windows or Mac computer that scans your local network and finds all active Hikvision devices.
- Download and Install SADP: Get the tool from the official Hikvision website.
- Run the Scan: Connect your computer to the same network as your cameras and run the SADP tool.
- Analyse the Results:
- If your camera appears in the list, it confirms the camera is powered on and connected to the network. Note its IP address. You can then try to access it via a web browser or ensure the NVR is configured with the correct IP.
- If the camera's IP address looks wrong (e.g., 192.168.1.64 when your network is 192.168.0.x), you may have an IP conflict. Use the SADP tool to modify the camera's IP address to match your network's scheme.
- If your camera does not appear in the list, it strongly suggests a power or physical connection issue (refer back to Steps 1 and 2).
Step 4: Check NVR and Software Configuration
If the camera has power and is on the network, the problem might be with the configuration on your NVR or viewing software.
- Check Camera Status in NVR: Log into your NVR. In the camera management section, check the status of the problematic camera. Does it show as 'Offline' or 'Login Error'?
- Verify Password: If you see a login error, it's possible the camera's password was changed, but the NVR was not updated. Re-enter the correct password for the camera in the NVR's camera settings.
- Reboot the Camera: From the NVR interface, you can often trigger a remote reboot of the camera. This can sometimes resolve software freezes.
If you have methodically worked through these steps and your camera is still not working, it may indicate a more serious hardware fault, at which point contacting your installer or Hikvision support would be the next logical step.