Unifi Camera Offline? A Guide to Getting It Back Online
A camera showing as "Offline" in your Unifi Protect dashboard is a frustrating problem that leaves a blind spot in your security coverage. Typically, this issue boils down to one of two things: a power problem or a network problem.
This guide will walk you through a series of logical steps to diagnose the cause and get your Unifi camera reconnected and recording again.
## Step 1: Check the Power Source (PoE)
The vast majority of Unifi cameras are powered using Power over Ethernet (PoE). This means the same Ethernet cable that provides data also provides electricity. A power issue is the most common reason for a camera to go offline.
- Check the Switch Port: Go to your Unifi PoE switch. Look at the specific port that your offline camera is connected to.
- Is the link light on? There should be a small LED light indicating a physical connection. If it's off, it means there's no connection.
- Is the PoE icon lit? The port should indicate that it is providing PoE power. In the Unifi Network controller, you can check the port's status to see how much power is being drawn. If it's zero, there's a power issue.
- Power Cycle the Port: A simple "turn it off and on again" can work wonders.
- In your Unifi Network controller, go to the switch, select the camera's port, and find the "Power cycle" option.
- Alternatively, you can simply unplug the Ethernet cable from the port, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
- Try a Different Port: To rule out a faulty port on your switch, try plugging the camera's Ethernet cable into a different, known-working PoE port. If the camera comes online, the original port on your switch may have failed.
## Step 2: Inspect the Physical Network Connection
If the switch port seems fine, the problem could be the physical cabling between the switch and the camera.
- Inspect the Ethernet Cable: Visually inspect the entire length of the cable, if possible. Look for any kinks, cuts, or damage to the connectors. Cables installed outdoors are particularly susceptible to weather damage or being chewed by pests.
- Test with a New Cable: This is a crucial step. Get a short, known-good Ethernet patch cable. Unmount the camera and bring it directly to the switch. Plug it in with the short cable.
- If the camera powers on and comes online, you have proven that the original long cable run is faulty and needs to be replaced.
- If the camera still doesn't work even with a short, new cable, then the problem is likely with the camera itself.
## Step 3: Check the Camera's Status and IP Address
If the camera appears to have power and a physical connection, let's see if it's on the network.
- Look for the Camera in Unifi Network: Go to your Unifi Network controller (not Protect) and look at the "Client Devices" list. Do you see the camera listed there? Is it being assigned an IP address?
- Try to Ping the Camera: If the camera has an IP address, you can use a computer on the same network to "ping" it. Open a command prompt or terminal and type
ping [camera's IP address]. If you get a response, it means the camera is on the network, but something is preventing it from connecting specifically to the Protect software.
## Step 4: Factory Reset and Re-Adoption
If you've confirmed the power and cabling are good, but the camera still won't connect to Protect, a factory reset is the final step. This will wipe its configuration and allow you to set it up from scratch.
- Locate the Reset Button: The reset button is usually a small, recessed button near the Ethernet port. You will need a paperclip or a similar tool to press it.
- Press and Hold: While the camera is powered on, press and hold the reset button for 10-15 seconds.
- Observe the LED: The camera's LED light should flash and then reboot.
- Re-Adopt in Protect: After a few minutes, the camera should appear in your Unifi Protect dashboard as a new device ready to be adopted. Follow the on-screen instructions to add it back to your system.
If the camera still fails to come online after a factory reset (and you have tested it with a known-good cable and port), it unfortunately points to a hardware failure within the camera itself.