Camera offline or not recording? What to check
For property managers, building operators and front desk staff. Applies to any camera brand.
The quick answer
If one camera is offline, it’s usually the camera, its cable or its network port. If every camera is down, it’s usually power, the recorder or the network. If cameras show live but there’s no recorded video, the recorder’s hard drive is often full or failed.
We’ll do it for you
We’ll diagnose it remotely where we can, or book a visit, and we can set up camera health alerts so you know as soon as a camera drops offline. Same-day service available.
Before you start
Works with: Any camera brand
Who it’s for: Property managers, building operators and front desk staff
Last updated: October 19, 2026
Quick checks
- Is it one camera or all of them?
- Is there power in the comms room? Is a UPS beeping? See UPS beeping, system down.
- Does the recorder show a hard drive (HDD) error, or is it beeping?
- Was there recent construction, a power outage, or someone working in the ceiling?
- Can you see the camera on site but not from the app? See remote access not working.
Usual causes
Live, but no recordings
A full or failed hard drive, or recording settings lost after a power outage.
One camera offline
A damaged cable, a failed network or PoE switch port, or a failed camera.
Every camera down
Power, the recorder or the network switch. Check the UPS first.
Picture blocked or blurry
The camera was knocked out of position, or snow, ice or spider webs are on the lens. See winter problems.
What our technicians do
- Diagnose the problem remotely where the system allows it.
- Replace hard drives, cameras, cables and switches.
- Set up camera health alerts, so you know as soon as a camera goes offline or stops recording.
- Check cameras, drives and recording on our maintenance visits.
- Same-day service available.
If it didn’t work
The camera comes back, then drops again
Often a failing cable, port or power supply. Call us.
Recordings stop after a few days
The drive may be failing, or the retention settings are wrong. Call us.
The time on the recordings is wrong
Camera still offline?
We’ll find the cause, fix it and set up camera health alerts so you hear about the next one first.
Stuck with a system nobody will fix?
We repair and take over cameras, access control, intercoms and alarms installed by other companies, when your current provider has fallen short.
Questions
Why does my camera work live but has no recordings?
The recorder’s hard drive is often full or failed, or its recording settings were lost after a power outage. Call us.
How long should my recordings last?
It depends on the drive size, the number of cameras, the resolution and the settings. We set it to what you need and can check it remotely.
Can you alert me when a camera goes offline?
Yes. We set up camera health alerts so you know as soon as a camera drops offline or stops recording.
Do you fix camera systems another company installed?
Yes. We take over and fix systems installed by other companies, and regain admin access to systems you own.
More answers: Security camera questionsGlossary: NVRvideo analytics
Book a camera service call
Tell us the building, which cameras are affected and what the recorder shows. We’ll follow up to sort it out.
Call and a real person answers, 24/7 for emergencies.