What to Do When Your Lorex Camera Appears Broken
A security camera that stops working can be a major cause for concern. Whether it's showing no signs of life, has a black video feed, or is displaying clear physical damage, a "broken" Lorex camera compromises your security. The term "broken" can mean many things, from a simple power issue to a complete hardware failure.
The good news is that not all "broken" cameras are beyond repair. By following a logical troubleshooting process, you can determine the exact cause of the failure and, in many cases, fix the issue without needing to buy a replacement. This guide will help you diagnose the problem with your Lorex camera system.
Common Symptoms of a Broken Lorex Camera
First, let's clarify what a "broken" camera looks like. You are likely facing an issue if you observe any of the following:
- No Power: The camera is completely dead. The IR LEDs do not glow red at night, and it doesn't appear in your NVR or app.
- Visible Physical Damage: The camera's housing or dome is cracked, the lens is shattered, or cables are visibly severed.
- Black Screen: The camera is listed in your system, but the video feed is completely black.
- "No Video" or "Video Loss" Error: Your NVR or DVR displays a "Video Loss" error on the channel the camera is connected to.
- Constant Rebooting: The camera's feed appears for a moment and then disappears, often accompanied by a clicking sound from the camera.
- Distorted Image: The video is heavily distorted, filled with static, or shows incorrect colours, which persists even after a reboot.
- Faulty Night Vision: The daytime image is fine, but at night the screen is black, or the IR LEDs do not light up.
Troubleshooting Your Lorex Camera: A Step-by-Step Guide
Before assuming the camera itself has failed, we need to rule out other components in the system.
1. The "Known Good" Test: Isolate the Problem
This is the single most important diagnostic step. It involves using a camera and cable that you know are working to test the port in question.
- You will need: Your non-working camera, its cable, and a camera and cable from another location that are confirmed to be working.
- Step A: Test the Port and Cable. Unplug your "broken" camera. Take your "known good" working camera and plug it into the cable and port of the non-working camera.
- Result: If the "known good" camera also doesn't work in this spot, then the problem is with the cable or the port on the NVR/DVR, not the camera itself.
- Step B: Test the Camera. Unplug your "broken" camera. Take it to the location of a "known good" working camera. Unplug the working camera and plug your "broken" camera into its cable and port.
- Result: If your camera still doesn't work here, then you have confirmed that the camera itself is the point of failure.
Based on the results of this test, proceed to the relevant section below.
2. If the Cable or Port is the Problem
If your good camera didn't work at the problem location, focus on the infrastructure.
- Check the NVR/DVR Port: Try plugging the cable into a different, unused port on the back of your recorder. If the camera works there, the original port may have failed.
- Inspect the Cable: Examine the entire length of the BNC or Ethernet cable for any signs of damage, such as sharp bends, cuts, or corrosion on the connectors. Animals chewing on cables is a common cause of failure.
- Replace Connectors: The connectors on the ends of the cables can fail. If you are comfortable with it, you can try cutting off the old connectors and crimping on new ones (BNC or RJ45).
- Run a Test Cable: The easiest way to confirm a bad cable run is to use a long patch cable to temporarily connect the camera directly to the NVR/DVR. If it works, you know the permanently installed cable is faulty and needs to be replaced.
3. If the Camera is the Problem
If your "broken" camera failed the "Known Good" test, the issue lies within the unit.
- Check the Power Supply (for Wi-Fi or non-PoE cameras): If your camera uses a separate power adapter, test it with a compatible adapter from another device to ensure it hasn't failed.
- Inspect the Camera's Pigtail: Check the short cable coming out of the camera itself. Ensure the connection here is tight and that the pins inside the connector are not bent or corroded.
- Look for Physical Damage: Closely inspect the camera for cracks or signs of water ingress (fogging inside the lens). Water damage is a common cause of complete failure.
- Perform a Factory Reset: Some cameras have a physical reset button. Pressing and holding this can sometimes resolve firmware corruption that makes a camera appear broken. Note that this will require you to re-add the camera to your system.
When to Replace the Camera
If you have confirmed the camera itself is faulty and it's out of warranty, repair is often not a practical option. Internal electronic failures or a broken lens typically mean the camera needs to be replaced. In this case, use the model number of the old camera to ensure you purchase a compatible replacement for your Lorex system.