Verkada Snapshot Not Working? Troubleshooting Guide
The ability to quickly take a high-quality snapshot from your Verkada camera feed is a fundamental feature of the Verkada Command platform. It allows you to capture and share critical moments with ease. If you find that this feature isn't working, it can hinder your ability to respond to incidents effectively. This guide will help you troubleshoot the most common reasons why the snapshot function might be failing.
The snapshot tool relies on a few key components working in harmony: your user permissions, the camera's connectivity, and the browser you're using. A problem in any one of these areas can cause the feature to fail.
## Step 1: Verify Your User Permissions
The most common reason for being unable to take a snapshot is insufficient permissions within the Verkada Command platform. Verkada uses a role-based access control system, and your assigned role might not allow for exporting footage.
- Log in to Verkada Command.
- Identify Your Role: Your access level (e.g., Site Viewer, Site Admin) determines what you can do.
- Check Role Permissions: To take a snapshot, your role needs permission to View and, crucially, Export video from the specific camera you are viewing. The snapshot function is considered a form of media export.
- Contact Your Administrator: If you suspect a permissions issue, you will need to contact your organisation's Verkada administrator. They can review your assigned role under Admin > Users and adjust your permissions or move you to a role that has the necessary access rights.
## Step 2: Check Camera Status and Connectivity
A healthy camera with a stable network connection is essential for all functions, including snapshots.
- Is the Camera Online? In the Command interface, check the status of the camera. If it is showing as "Offline" or has a red dot, you will not be able to interact with its feed. You will need to troubleshoot why the camera is offline first (check power, ethernet connection, etc.).
- Network Quality: The snapshot tool needs to pull a high-resolution frame from the camera's stream. If the camera has a poor or unstable network connection, this process can fail or time out. In Command, you can view the camera's connection details and bitrate. If the connection appears weak, investigate the local network infrastructure (cabling, switch ports) connected to the camera.
- Live Feed Loading: Can you see a clear, live video stream from the camera? If the live feed itself is struggling to load, is pixelated, or shows a spinning wheel, then the snapshot function will also fail. Resolving the streaming issue will likely resolve the snapshot issue as well.
## Step 3: Troubleshoot Your Web Browser
Occasionally, the issue may lie with the web browser you are using to access Verkada Command.
- Try a Different Browser: If you are using Chrome, try Firefox or Safari, and vice-versa. This can help rule out issues caused by browser extensions or specific settings.
- Clear Browser Cache: Your browser's cache can sometimes hold onto old data that causes conflicts. Try clearing your cache and cookies, then log back into Verkada Command.
- Disable Browser Extensions: Some browser extensions, particularly ad-blockers or privacy-focused add-ons, can interfere with how web applications like Command function. Try disabling your extensions one by one to see if one of them is causing the problem.
- Ensure Browser is Updated: Make sure you are using the latest version of your web browser for the best compatibility and security.
## Step 4: Check for Archiving and Storage Issues
While less common, issues with the camera's storage can also play a role.
- Onboard Storage: Check the camera's status in Command to ensure its onboard solid-state storage is healthy and not reporting any errors.
- Cloud Archiving: If you are trying to take a snapshot from archived footage, ensure that the footage has been successfully uploaded to the cloud and is accessible.
By systematically checking your permissions, the camera's health, and your browser environment, you can quickly diagnose and resolve problems with the Verkada snapshot feature.