Is Your UniFi Camera Feed Lagging, Stuttering, or Delayed?
A smooth, real-time video feed is essential for effective security monitoring. When your UniFi camera stream is lagging, stuttering, or significantly delayed, it not only makes live viewing frustrating but can also mean you are not seeing events as they actually happen. This delay, known as latency, can be caused by a number of factors, most of which are related to network performance.
This guide will help you troubleshoot the common causes of UniFi camera lag, allowing you to identify the bottleneck in your system and restore a fluid, responsive video stream.
## Diagnosing Network-Related Lag
The journey of the video from your camera to your screen involves several steps, and a delay at any point can cause lag. The most common bottleneck is the network connection between the camera and your UniFi Protect console.
For Wireless (Wi-Fi) Cameras
An unstable or weak Wi-Fi connection is the leading cause of lag. The video data cannot be transmitted consistently, leading to buffering and stuttering.
- Check Signal Strength: In the UniFi Protect devices list, check the signal strength of the lagging camera. A weak signal is a clear indication that this is the source of your problem.
- Improve Wi-Fi Coverage:
- Move your UniFi access point closer to the camera.
- Install an additional access point to provide a stronger, more reliable signal to that specific area.
- Minimise physical barriers (like concrete walls or large metal appliances) between the camera and the access point.
For Wired (Ethernet) Cameras
While generally more stable, wired connections can still cause issues.
- Inspect the Ethernet Cable: A damaged, low-quality, or improperly terminated Ethernet cable can cause data packet loss. This forces retransmissions and introduces delays. Try replacing the cable with a new, certified one to see if performance improves.
- Check Switch Performance: Ensure the network switch the camera is connected to is not overloaded. Check the port statistics in your UniFi Network controller for any signs of high error rates.
## Checking Device and Console Performance
If the network seems solid, the next step is to check the performance of the devices at either end of the stream.
Is Your Viewing Device Overloaded?
The device you are using to watch the stream (your computer or smartphone) needs to decode the video in real-time.
- Check CPU Usage: If you are watching on a computer, open the Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac). If the CPU usage is pegged at or near 100% while viewing the stream, your computer is the bottleneck.
- Troubleshooting Steps:
- Close other demanding applications that are running in the background.
- Try viewing the stream in a different web browser.
- Use a more powerful computer or a modern smartphone.
Is Your UniFi Protect Console Overloaded?
The console (UNVR, Cloud Key, etc.) has to manage the incoming streams from all your cameras.
- Check Console Load: In the UniFi Protect settings, find the system information for your console. It will display the current CPU and memory load. If these are consistently high, the console may be struggling to keep up.
- What to Do:
- Consider if you have too many cameras for your specific console model.
- Lowering the resolution or frame rate of some cameras can reduce the overall load on the system.
- Ensure the console's firmware is up to date.
## Understanding Latency
It is important to note that a small amount of latency is perfectly normal for any IP camera system. A delay of a few seconds is typical. However, if your delay is excessive (e.g., more than 10 seconds), it points to one of the issues mentioned above. By systematically checking your network, your viewing device, and your console, you can identify the cause of this unnatural lag and take steps to fix it.