Lorex Snapshot Not Working? A Guide to Fixing Image Capture Issues
The snapshot feature on your Lorex camera system is a crucial tool, allowing you to instantly capture a still image of a live event or receive picture alerts when motion is detected. When this function fails, it can be a significant gap in your security. Whether you can't save manual snapshots or your email alerts are arriving without pictures, this guide will help you troubleshoot the problem.
## Manual Snapshot Problems in the Lorex App
This section covers issues when you are actively trying to take a snapshot from the live view on your smartphone.
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Check App Permissions: The most common reason for snapshots failing to save is that the Lorex app does not have permission to write to your phone's storage.
- On iOS: Go to "Settings", scroll down to the Lorex app, tap on it, and select "Photos". Ensure access is set to "All Photos".
- On Android: Go to "Settings" > "Apps" > "Lorex" > "Permissions". Make sure "Storage" or "Files and media" is allowed.
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Ensure a Stable Connection: Taking a snapshot requires the app to pull a high-quality image from the camera. If your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection is weak, the request may time out or fail.
- Look at the signal strength indicator in your app. If it's low, try moving closer to your router or connecting to a stronger network.
- Try switching between the Mainstream (HD) and Substream (SD) viewing options. While Substream is lower quality, it requires less bandwidth and may allow a snapshot to be taken on a poor connection.
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Check Your Phone's Storage: While unlikely to be the primary cause, it's worth confirming that your smartphone has enough free space to save new images.
## Snapshot Issues with Notifications and Emails
If your motion alerts are not including images, the problem lies with the configuration of your NVR, DVR, or the camera itself.
### Push Notification Previews
- Enable Rich Notifications: In your Lorex app's notification settings, ensure that you have enabled "rich notifications" or "notifications with images." This feature specifically tells the system to send a thumbnail along with the text alert.
- Update Your App and Firmware: This feature is dependent on up-to-date software. Check for any updates for your Lorex app in the App Store or Google Play, and check for firmware updates for your recorder and cameras.
### Email Attachments
- Verify Email Settings: Log in to your Lorex recorder's main menu using a connected mouse and monitor.
- Navigate to "System" > "Network" > "Email".
- Make sure the "Attach Picture" option is checked. If it's not, the system will only send a text-based alert.
- Test the Connection: While in the email settings menu, use the "Test Email" function. This will send a sample email to your configured address. Check if this test email contains an image. If it doesn't, the issue is with the recorder's settings. If it does, the problem may be with specific motion detection rules.
- Check Motion Detection Settings: Go to the "Events" or "Alarm" menu. For each camera and motion rule, there is often a separate option to trigger an email alert and attach a snapshot. Ensure this is enabled for the specific zones and events you want to monitor.
By carefully checking both app-level permissions and device-level settings, you can identify the reason your snapshots are failing and restore this vital feature of your Lorex security system.