Troubleshooting a Verkada Base Station That Won't Connect
A Verkada base station that fails to connect to the network can bring your wireless camera security to a halt. The base station is the essential bridge between your Verkada wireless cameras (like the CH52-E) and the Verkada Command platform. When it's offline, your cameras cannot sync their footage to the cloud.
This guide provides a systematic approach to diagnosing and resolving connectivity issues with your Verkada base station, helping you get your system back online quickly and efficiently.
Understanding the Status Lights
The LED status light on the front of the base station is your first diagnostic tool.
- Solid Blue: The base station is connected to Verkada Command and operating normally.
- Flashing Blue: The base station is in the process of connecting to the network and the cloud.
- Flashing Amber: The base station has power but cannot reach the network or Verkada's servers. This is the state we will be troubleshooting.
- Solid Amber: There is a general error or the device is booting up.
How to Fix a Verkada Base Station Connection Issue
Follow these steps in order to identify the root cause of the problem.
1. Check Physical Connections and Power
Start with the most straightforward potential issues: the physical hardware connections.
- Verify Ethernet Cable: Ensure the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into the port on the base station and into a known-working port on your network switch or router. The link lights on the port should be active.
- Test a Different Cable/Port: A faulty Ethernet cable or a dead network port is a common culprit. Swap the existing cable with a new one you know is working. If that doesn't help, try plugging the base station into a different port on your network switch.
- Confirm Power Source: The base station can be powered via PoE (Power over Ethernet) or a 12V DC adapter. Ensure the switch port provides adequate PoE power or that the DC adapter is plugged in and functional.
2. Review Network and Firewall Configuration
If the physical connections are solid, the issue likely lies within your network's configuration. Verkada devices require specific outbound access to function.
- Check DHCP Service: The base station requires a DHCP address to get online. Verify that the DHCP server on your network is active and has available leases for the VLAN the base station is on.
- Firewall and Proxy Settings: This is the most common cause of connection failures. The base station needs to make outbound connections on TCP port 443 to various Verkada domains.
- Action: Work with your network administrator to ensure that your firewall or web proxy is not blocking traffic to
*.verkada.com. Refer to Verkada's official network settings documentation for the full list of required hostnames.
- Action: Work with your network administrator to ensure that your firewall or web proxy is not blocking traffic to
- DNS Resolution: The base station must be able to resolve Verkada's domain names. Ensure your network's DNS server is functioning correctly. You can test this by connecting a laptop to the same network port and attempting to access a website.
3. Perform a Factory Reset
If all else fails, a factory reset can sometimes resolve persistent issues by returning the device to its default settings.
- Locate the Reset Button: The reset button is a small pinhole on the device.
- Execution: With the base station powered on, press and hold the reset button with a paperclip for approximately 15-20 seconds until the status light turns off and then becomes solid amber.
- Re-add to Command: After the reset, the base station will reboot. You will need to add its serial number back into your Verkada Command account to provision it.
If you have followed all these steps and the base station still shows a flashing amber light, it may indicate a hardware fault. In this case, you should contact Verkada Support for further assistance.