Is Your Verkada Camera System Not Working?
A non-functional Verkada camera can be a significant concern, leaving a gap in your security coverage. Whether you're seeing no video feed, an error message in the Command dashboard, or the camera is completely unresponsive, many issues can be resolved with some straightforward troubleshooting. This guide will walk you through the steps to diagnose and fix the problem, getting your system back to full operational status.
## Initial Diagnosis: Check the LED Indicator and Power Source
Before diving into complex settings, start with a physical inspection of the camera. The LED status light is your first clue.
- No Light: This almost always indicates a power issue. Check that the Ethernet cable is firmly plugged into the camera. Verify that the network switch or PoE injector it's connected to is powered on and functioning correctly. Try plugging the camera into a different PoE port that you know is working.
- Solid Amber Light: The camera is booting up or has no network connection. If it remains solid amber for an extended period, it's likely struggling to connect to the network.
- Flashing Amber Light: This typically signals a network connectivity problem, such as being unable to obtain an IP address or reach Verkada's servers.
- Solid Blue Light: The camera is powered on, connected, and operating normally.
Key Action: Confirm the camera is receiving power via Power over Ethernet (PoE). Test the network cable and port with another device to ensure they are not the source of the fault.
## Network Connectivity Troubleshooting
If the power supply seems fine, the next step is to investigate the network connection. Connectivity problems are the most common cause for a Verkada camera to stop working.
- Check Physical Connections: Ensure the Ethernet cable is secure at both ends. Look for any visible damage to the cable itself.
- Verify Network Port: Confirm the port on your network switch is active and configured correctly. There should be link lights indicating a connection.
- Firewall and DNS: Verkada cameras need to communicate with specific cloud servers. Ensure that your network's firewall is not blocking outbound traffic on port 443. The camera also needs to resolve DNS addresses, so verify your network's DNS settings are correct. You may need to consult your IT administrator to confirm these settings.
## Using Verkada Command for Diagnostics
Your Verkada Command dashboard is a powerful tool for troubleshooting. Don't neglect to use it.
- Check Camera Status: Log in to your Command account and navigate to the camera in question. The dashboard will explicitly state if the camera is 'Offline' or report other errors.
- Review Event History: Look at the camera's event history. It might show events like 'Camera came online' or 'Camera went offline', which can help you pinpoint when the problem started.
- Analyse Network Stats: For connected cameras, Command provides detailed network statistics. You can check for high latency or packet loss, which could indicate a poor network connection that's causing intermittent issues.
## When to Contact Support
If you have followed all the steps above and your camera is still not working, it may be time to seek further assistance.
- Gather Information: Before contacting support, note down the camera's serial number, the status of the LED light, any error messages from Command, and the troubleshooting steps you've already taken.
- Contact Verkada Support: With this information in hand, reach out to Verkada's technical support team. They can perform more in-depth remote diagnostics and determine if the issue is with the camera's hardware, requiring a replacement.
By systematically checking the power, network, and software settings, you can often resolve issues with a Verkada camera not working without needing external help. Always start with the simplest solutions before moving on to more complex troubleshooting.