Is Your Verkada Motion Detection Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It
Verkada cameras are renowned for their powerful, AI-driven motion detection capabilities, providing reliable security for organisations of all sizes. However, there may be times when you notice that motion events are not being triggered or recorded as expected. This can be a significant concern, but the good news is that most issues can be resolved with some straightforward troubleshooting.
This guide will walk you through the common causes of Verkada motion detection problems and provide clear, step-by-step solutions to get your system back to optimal performance.
## Common Symptoms of Motion Detection Failure
Before diving into solutions, let's identify the signs that your motion detection isn't working correctly:
- No motion alerts: You are not receiving any push notifications or emails for motion events.
- Missing recordings: When you review your timeline, there are no recorded clips during periods you know there was activity.
- Live feed is active: You can see the live video stream, but no motion is being highlighted or recorded.
- Inconsistent triggering: The camera only detects motion intermittently.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Follow these steps in order to diagnose and resolve the issue with your Verkada camera.
### 1. Check Your Motion Detection Settings in Verkada Command
The most common reason for motion detection failure is a simple misconfiguration in the Verkada Command platform.
- Verify Motion Detection is Enabled: Navigate to the specific camera's settings and ensure that motion detection is turned on.
- Review Your Detection Zones: Verkada allows you to set specific zones for motion detection. Make sure that the zones you have drawn cover the areas where you expect to see activity. An incorrectly drawn zone is a frequent culprit.
- Adjust Sensitivity Levels: If the sensitivity is too low, the camera may not pick up subtle movements. Conversely, if it's too high, it might trigger false alarms. Try adjusting the sensitivity to a medium level and test it.
### 2. Inspect the Camera for Physical Obstructions
A clear line of sight is crucial for effective motion detection.
- Clean the Camera Lens: A dirty, smudged, or dusty lens can obscure the camera's view and prevent it from detecting motion accurately. Use a soft, microfibre cloth to gently clean the lens.
- Remove Any Obstructions: Check for anything that might be blocking the camera's view, such as tree branches, cobwebs, or new decorations. Over time, growing foliage is a common issue that gets overlooked.
- Check for Infrared (IR) Reflection: At night, if the camera is positioned too close to a surface like a wall or soffit, the IR light can reflect into the lens, blinding the camera and preventing it from seeing motion in the dark.
### 3. Verify Network and Power Connectivity
While Verkada cameras have onboard storage, a stable connection is vital for alerts and remote management.
- Check Camera Status: In Verkada Command, check if the camera is showing as "Online." If it's offline, you'll need to troubleshoot its power and network connection first.
- Ensure Stable Power: For wired cameras, ensure the PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch or injector is functioning correctly. For wireless models, ensure the battery is charged or the power adapter is securely connected.
- Test Network Strength: A weak or intermittent network connection can interfere with the camera's ability to communicate events. Check the network status for the camera in your dashboard.
### 4. Update Camera Firmware
Verkada regularly releases firmware updates that include performance improvements and bug fixes, which can resolve motion detection issues.
- Automatic Updates: Verkada cameras are designed to update their firmware automatically. You can check the current firmware version in the camera's settings within Command.
- Force an Update: If you suspect the firmware is out of date and hasn't updated automatically, you can typically trigger a check by rebooting the camera.
### 5. Reboot the Camera
A classic troubleshooting step that should not be underestimated. Rebooting the camera can resolve many temporary software glitches or connectivity issues. You can do this through the Verkada Command platform without needing physical access to the camera.
By systematically working through these steps, you can identify and fix the vast majority of issues causing your Verkada motion detection to fail. If you continue to experience problems after following this guide, it may be time to contact Verkada support for more advanced assistance.