How to Fix a LaView Camera That Shows No Video
When your LaView security camera stops showing a video feed, it can be a frustrating experience. Whether the screen is black, the app shows the camera as "Offline," or you simply can't connect, the cause is usually related to one of three areas: power, network connectivity, or software settings. This guide will provide a clear, step-by-step process to get your camera back online.
## Step 1: Verify the Camera's Power Supply
A camera can't send video if it doesn't have power. Let's start with the basics.
- Check the LED Indicator: The most obvious clue is the status light (LED) on the camera itself. Is it on? Is it a solid colour or flashing? A solid light typically indicates it's powered on and connected, while a flashing light might mean it's trying to connect. If the light is off, the camera has no power.
- Inspect the Power Connection:
- Ensure the power cable is securely plugged into the camera.
- Confirm the power adapter is firmly seated in a wall outlet.
- Test the outlet by plugging in another device you know works, like a lamp.
- If the outlet is working, the issue might be the power adapter itself. If you have another camera with the same adapter, try swapping them to see if the problem follows the adapter.
## Step 2: Troubleshoot the Network Connection
A "No Video" error is very often a symptom of a lost network connection.
- "Offline" Status in the App: If the LaView app is reporting your camera as "Offline," it has lost its connection to your Wi-Fi.
- Reboot Your Network Gear: This is the most effective fix for common network glitches.
- Unplug your LaView camera.
- Unplug your modem and your Wi-Fi router.
- Wait for 60 seconds.
- Plug the modem in first and wait for it to come fully online.
- Plug the router in and wait for its lights to stabilise.
- Finally, plug your LaView camera back in. Give it several minutes to boot up and automatically reconnect to the Wi-Fi.
- Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength: Is the camera located far from your Wi-Fi router? Physical obstacles like brick walls, metal appliances, and even water (like in an aquarium) can weaken the signal. Try temporarily moving the camera closer to the router. If the video feed returns, you've identified a weak signal as the culprit. You may need to move your router or consider a Wi-Fi extender.
## Step 3: Check App and Camera Settings
Sometimes, the issue can be within the software itself.
- Relaunch the LaView App: Completely close the LaView application on your smartphone (i.e., swipe it away from your recent apps) and then reopen it. This can clear temporary cache issues.
- Check for App and Firmware Updates:
- Go to your phone's app store and see if there is an update for the LaView app.
- Within the app, go to your camera's settings and look for a "Firmware Update" or "Device Version" section. Keeping both the app and the camera's firmware up to date is crucial for performance and bug fixes.
- Re-add the Camera: If the camera is still offline and unresponsive, you may need to reset it and add it back to your account.
- Find the physical reset button on your camera. It's often a small, recessed button you'll need a paperclip to press.
- Press and hold the reset button for 10-15 seconds until the camera chimes or the LED light changes, indicating it has reset.
- Go through the setup process in the LaView app again to connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network.
## Step 4: Investigate Night Vision Issues
If the problem only occurs at night (i.e., the daytime video is fine, but the night-time feed is black), the issue is with the camera's infrared (IR) system.
- Listen for a "Click": When the light gets low, you should hear a faint click from the camera. This is the IR cut filter moving away from the lens.
- Look for Red LEDs: In the dark, the IR LEDs around the lens should emit a faint red glow.
- If you don't hear the click or see the glow, the night vision mechanism may be stuck or has failed. Try power cycling the camera. If the issue persists, it could be a hardware fault, and you should contact LaView support for further assistance.