How to Troubleshoot and Fix Rapid Battery Drain on Your Verkada Camera
A key feature of Verkada's wireless cameras is the freedom they provide through battery-powered operation. However, if you find yourself recharging the battery more often than you expected, it can be a significant inconvenience. This guide will walk you through the common causes of rapid battery drain and how to resolve them.
The battery life of your camera is directly influenced by its workload. The more it has to wake up, record, and transmit data, the faster the battery will deplete. Our goal is to optimise these functions to extend the time between charges.
Identifying the Cause of Poor Battery Life
Before making changes, let's identify what might be causing the issue. Several factors can contribute to your Verkada camera's battery draining quickly.
## Common Symptoms to Look For:
- The battery dies much faster than the advertised lifespan.
- You receive frequent "low battery" notifications from the Command platform.
- The camera unexpectedly goes offline and shows a dead battery status.
- The reported battery percentage drops erratically.
- You need to recharge the device weekly or even daily in some cases.
Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Battery Performance
Follow these steps to diagnose and adjust the settings that have the biggest impact on power consumption.
### 1. Evaluate Wi-Fi Signal Strength
A weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection is one of the biggest culprits of battery drain. When the signal is poor, the camera must use more power to stay connected to the network.
- Action: In the Verkada Command platform, check the wireless signal strength for the camera in question. If it's low (typically below 75%), try moving your camera closer to the wireless access point or vice versa.
### 2. Optimise Motion Detection Settings
If your camera is positioned in a high-traffic area, constant motion events will keep it active, draining the battery.
- Action: Adjust the camera's motion sensitivity to prevent it from triggering for minor events like swaying trees or shadows. Furthermore, configure activity zones to focus only on the areas you need to monitor, such as a doorway or walkway, while ignoring a busy street or pavement.
### 3. Consider the Impact of Temperature
Lithium-ion batteries, like the one in your Verkada camera, are sensitive to temperature. Extremely cold weather will cause the battery to drain significantly faster.
- Action: If the camera is installed outdoors in a cold climate, understand that battery performance will be reduced during winter months. Ensure the camera is installed in a location that offers some protection from the elements if possible.
### 4. Limit Frequent Live Streaming
Every time you initiate a live stream from your camera, it consumes a substantial amount of power.
- Action: Use live streaming when necessary, but avoid checking in excessively. Rely on motion-triggered event notifications for your primary monitoring, as this is a much more power-efficient method of operation.
By systematically reviewing these areas, you can identify the primary causes of battery drain and make the necessary adjustments to significantly extend the life of your Verkada camera's battery.