Lorex Motion Detection Not Working? (Troubleshooting Guide)
A key feature of any Lorex security system is its ability to detect motion, trigger recordings, and send you timely alerts. When this functionality fails, it can be a major concern. Whether your camera isn't recording events, or you're simply not getting the notifications you expect, the problem is usually solvable through configuration settings.
This guide will walk you through the essential troubleshooting steps to diagnose and fix issues with your Lorex motion detection.
## Step 1: Check the Core Motion Settings
Before looking at complex issues, it's crucial to verify that the basic settings are correctly configured. You may need to do this through your NVR/DVR interface or the Lorex Home app, depending on your system.
- Is Motion Detection Enabled? Navigate to the settings for the specific camera you're having issues with. Find the "Motion" or "Event" settings and ensure that motion detection is toggled on.
- Review the Motion Zone / Area: Within the motion settings, you will see the camera's view, often with a grid overlay. This is the active detection area. Ensure that the entire area you want to monitor is selected. If no area is selected, or only a small, incorrect portion is, the camera will not detect motion where you expect it to.
- Check the Sensitivity Level: The sensitivity setting determines how much change in the scene is required to trigger an event. If the sensitivity is set too low (e.g., 1 out of 10), it may not pick up subtle but important movements. Try increasing the sensitivity to a mid-range value like 5 or 6 to start.
## Step 2: Verify the Recording Schedule
If you're not getting recordings, the problem often lies with the schedule. Your Lorex system needs to be told what to do when it detects motion.
- Access the Recording Schedule: In your NVR/DVR settings, find the "Storage" or "Recording" menu and look for the "Schedule".
- Set to Record on Motion: You'll see a grid representing the hours of the week. You can set different recording types for different times. Ensure that the time blocks you want to be covered are set to "Motion" (often represented by the colour green). If it is set to "Continuous" (blue) it will record everything, and if it's blank, it won't record at all.
- Check Hard Drive Status: While in the storage menu, check the status of your hard drive. Make sure it has free space and is not reporting any errors. A full or failed hard drive will prevent new recordings.
## Step 3: Troubleshoot Push Notifications
If you believe the system is recording but you aren't getting alerts on your phone, the issue is with the notification settings.
- Enable Notifications in the App: Open the Lorex Home app, go to the settings for your device, and ensure that "Notifications" are enabled. You can often enable them for specific event types, so make sure "Motion" is selected.
- Check Phone System Settings: This is a critical and often-missed step. Go to your smartphone's main Settings menu. Find your list of installed apps, select the Lorex Home app, and go to its "Notifications" section. Ensure that you have allowed the app to send you notifications. If this permission is turned off at the operating system level, the app cannot alert you.
## Step 4: Use Smart Motion Detection (If Available)
If your problem is too many false alerts from things like animals or swaying branches, check if your system supports Smart Motion Detection (SMD).
- In the motion event settings, look for options like "Person Detection" or "Vehicle Detection".
- Enabling these will instruct the system to only trigger an alert or recording when it specifically identifies a person or a vehicle, dramatically reducing the number of unwanted notifications.
By methodically checking these four areas—core settings, recording schedule, notification permissions, and smart detection features—you can solve the vast majority of Lorex motion detection problems.