How to Fix I Pro Motion Detection Not Working
One of the most critical features of your I Pro security camera is its ability to detect motion and alert you to potential intruders or important events. When this feature fails, your security system has a major blind spot. If you've noticed that your camera is no longer sending alerts or recording clips when there's clear movement, this guide is here to help.
We will walk you through a systematic process to identify the cause and resolve the issue, from checking basic app settings to addressing more complex environmental and hardware factors.
## Initial Checks: Is Everything Turned On?
Before diving into deeper troubleshooting, let's ensure the fundamental settings are correct. It's surprisingly easy for a setting to be accidentally changed.
### 1. Verify Motion Detection is Enabled
First and foremost, confirm that the feature is active for your camera.
- Open the I Pro App: Select the camera that is not detecting motion.
- Go to its Settings: Find the 'Motion Settings' section.
- Check the Toggle: Ensure that 'Motion Detection' is turned on.
### 2. Review Your Motion Schedules
Many security apps allow you to set a schedule to disable alerts at certain times (e.g., when you know you'll be home).
- Find Scheduling Options: In the app's settings, look for 'Motion Schedule' or 'Modes'.
- Check the Current Time: Make sure you haven't accidentally set a schedule that mutes alerts during the time you expect them to be working. Disable any schedules temporarily to see if that resolves the problem.
## Intermediate Troubleshooting: Fine-Tuning Your Settings
If the basic settings are correct, the problem may lie in how the detection parameters are configured.
### 1. Check Your Activity Zones
Activity Zones are a great feature for reducing false alerts, but if they are set up incorrectly, they can prevent all alerts.
- View Your Zones: Go to the 'Motion Settings' and select 'Activity Zones' or 'Motion Zones'.
- Ensure Coverage: Make sure you have active zones drawn over the areas where you expect to see motion. If a person walks in an area outside of a defined zone, the camera will ignore it.
- Test Without Zones: As a test, try disabling all custom zones. If the camera starts detecting motion everywhere, you know the problem was with how your zones were drawn. You can then re-configure them more carefully.
### 2. Adjust Motion Sensitivity
The sensitivity level determines how much movement is needed to trigger an event. If it's too low, it might ignore people, especially if they are far away from the camera.
- Locate the Sensitivity Slider: This is usually within the 'Motion Settings'.
- Increase the Level: If it's set to a low value, try increasing it by one or two increments.
- Walk-Test: After increasing it, walk in front of the camera yourself to see if it triggers a recording.
## Advanced Checks: Physical and Environmental Factors
If all your app settings appear to be correct, the issue could be related to the camera's physical placement or condition.
### 1. Is the Camera Behind Glass?
This is a very common cause of failure. I Pro cameras cannot detect motion reliably through a window. The Passive Infrared (PIR) motion sensors they use to detect body heat are blocked by glass. The camera must be mounted outside to function correctly.
### 2. Clean the Sensor and Lens
Dirt, grime, or even a small spiderweb over the motion sensor or camera lens can obstruct its view and prevent it from detecting movement.
- Wipe it Down: Use a soft, dry microfibre cloth to gently clean the front of the camera. Pay special attention to the lens and the dark, plastic-covered area of the PIR sensor.
### 3. Reboot the Camera
A simple power cycle can often resolve temporary glitches.
- For Wired Cameras: Unplug the power cord for 60 seconds and then plug it back in.
- For Battery-Powered Cameras: Remove the battery, wait 60 seconds, and then reinsert it.
After the camera restarts and reconnects to your network, test it again. If the problem persists after all these steps, it may indicate a hardware failure, and you should contact I Pro support.