Troubleshooting Lorex Package Detection Not Working
Lorex's package detection feature is a fantastic tool for keeping track of your deliveries and preventing porch piracy. It's designed to specifically alert you when a courier leaves a package in your camera's view. However, if you're not receiving these specific alerts, it can be frustrating and diminish your sense of security.
This guide will help you diagnose and fix the common reasons why Lorex package detection might be missing or not functioning correctly.
### 1. Confirm Feature Compatibility
First and foremost, you must ensure your specific Lorex camera model actually supports package detection. This is a specialised feature found in their 'Smart Motion Detection' camera series.
How to check:
- Review Your Manual: Check the user manual or the product page for your camera model on the Lorex website.
- Check App Settings: In the Lorex app, navigate to the device settings for your camera. Look for a 'Smart Motion Detection' menu. If you see specific toggles for 'Person', 'Vehicle', and 'Animal' detection, but nothing for 'Package', your camera model likely does not support it.
If your camera doesn't support the feature, no amount of troubleshooting will enable it.
If Your Camera Supports Package Detection, Follow These Steps:
Once you've confirmed compatibility, work through these common setup and environmental issues.
### 2. Enable the Feature in the App
It's possible the setting is simply turned off. You need to ensure the specific detection type is enabled.
What to do:
- Open your Lorex app (e.g., Lorex Home, Lorex Cirrus).
- Select the camera you need to configure.
- Navigate to Device Settings > Motion Detection Settings.
- Find the Smart Motion Detection section.
- Make sure the toggle switch next to Package Detection is turned ON.
### 3. Optimise Camera Placement and Angle
The performance of the detection algorithm is highly dependent on the camera's viewing angle and position. The camera needs a clear, top-down view to reliably identify the shape of a package being placed on the ground.
Best practices for placement:
- Height: Mount the camera between 7 and 10 feet (2-3 metres) off the ground.
- Angle: Angle the camera downwards, between 15 and 30 degrees. It should be looking down at your doorway or porch area, not straight out at the street.
- Clear View: The area where packages are typically left should be in the centre of the camera's field of view and free from obstructions like large pots, pillars, or decorations.
### 4. Configure Motion Zones (Activity Zones)
If you have a busy scene with cars driving by or people walking on the pavement, the camera can get overwhelmed. Motion Zones tell the camera to only pay attention to motion within a specific area that you define.
What to do:
- Go to Motion Detection Settings in the app.
- Select 'Motion Zones' or 'Activity Zones'.
- Draw a zone that covers only your porch, doorstep, or the specific area where packages are delivered. This prevents motion from the street or your garden from interfering with the more subtle detection of a package being left behind.
### 5. Check Lighting Conditions
The video analytics need a clear image to work correctly.
- Daylight: Avoid pointing the camera directly at the rising or setting sun, as this can create glare and deep shadows that obscure the detection area.
- Night-time: While Lorex cameras have excellent night vision, the reliability of package detection can be reduced in very low-light conditions. Ensure your porch light is on or that the area is otherwise well-illuminated for the most consistent results.
### 6. Update Firmware
Lorex periodically releases firmware updates for their cameras that include performance improvements and bug fixes for features like smart detection.
- Check for Updates: In the app, go to your camera's Device Settings and look for a 'Firmware' or 'Device Info' section. If an update is available, be sure to install it.
By carefully working through these steps, you can significantly improve the reliability of your Lorex camera's package detection and ensure you get the timely alerts you need.