Can't Add a Verkada Camera to Command? Follow These Steps
Verkada's plug-and-play setup is one of its key features, but occasionally you may encounter an issue when trying to add a new camera to your Command organisation. If you're stuck, this guide provides a clear, professional walkthrough to help you diagnose and resolve the problem.
We'll cover the most common hurdles, from network configuration to understanding the camera's status light, all presented in a helpful and conversational tone using British English.
## Understanding the Verkada Camera Status LED
The small LED light on your camera is the most important diagnostic tool you have. Its colour and pattern tell you exactly what's happening with the device.
- Solid Orange: The camera has power but cannot connect to the network or reach the Verkada servers. This is the most common issue when adding a camera.
- Flashing Orange: The camera is in the process of updating its firmware. Do not unplug it during this time.
- Flashing Blue: The camera is connected to the network and Verkada's servers but has not yet been 'claimed' or added to your Command account. This is the state you want it to be in for adding.
- Solid Blue: The camera is connected, claimed, and operating normally.
## Step 1: Solving the 'Solid Orange Light' Problem
If your camera is showing a solid orange light, it's a clear sign of a network connectivity issue. Here’s how to troubleshoot it.
### 1. Check the Physical Connection
- Cable: Ensure you are using a known-good Ethernet cable. Try a different cable to rule out a fault.
- Port: Plug the camera into a different port on your network switch. The port itself could be disabled or misconfigured.
- Power over Ethernet (PoE): Verkada cameras are powered by PoE. Verify that the switch port you are using provides the necessary PoE standard (e.g., 802.3af or 802.3at) required by your camera model. Check the switch's indicator lights to confirm that it is delivering power.
### 2. Verify Network Services (DHCP & DNS)
For a camera to come online, it needs to be assigned an IP address by your network.
- DHCP: The camera requires a DHCP server to get an IP address. Ensure that the network segment (VLAN) the camera is on has an active DHCP server. If you are using static IPs, you must first allow the camera to connect via DHCP and then assign a static IP through Command.
- DNS: The camera must be able to resolve public domain names to find its way to the Verkada cloud. Ensure your network's DNS server is functioning correctly.
### 3. Check Firewall and Content Filters
This is a very common cause of connectivity issues. Verkada cameras need to make outbound connections to the internet.
- Required Outbound Port: The camera must be able to make an outbound connection on TCP port 443 (HTTPS).
- Hostname Whitelisting: Ensure that your firewall or web filter is not blocking access to
*.verkada.com. It is crucial to include the wildcard to cover all necessary subdomains. - No Inbound Ports: Remember, you do not need to open or forward any inbound ports from the internet to the camera.
## Step 2: Adding the Camera in Verkada Command
Once your camera has a flashing blue light, it's ready to be added to your account.
- Log into your Verkada Command account at command.verkada.com.
- Navigate to the Devices page.
- Click the 'Add Devices' button.
- You can now enter the camera's serial number, which is printed on the camera body and its packaging. The serial number begins with 'T' or 'V'.
- Pro Tip: You can also enter an entire order number to claim all the devices from that order at once.
- Once the serial number is entered and validated, you can name the camera, assign it to a site, and configure its initial settings.
If the serial number is not accepted, double-check it for typos. If you are certain it is correct, the device may already be claimed by another organisation. In this case, you will need to contact Verkada Support with proof of ownership to have it released.
By methodically checking the camera's status light and ensuring the network prerequisites are met, you can easily resolve most issues encountered when adding a new Verkada camera.