When your security camera cannot detect motion, it can leave you feeling vulnerable and anxious about your safety. Commonly searched queries like "motion detection not working" and "why is my security camera not picking up motion" echo the frustration of homeowners and business owners alike. To address this issue, we need to explore potential reasons and simple steps for troubleshooting.
What Is Motion Detection?
Motion detection is a required feature of a smart home security system. When an object moves in the monitored area of a security camera, motion detection will be triggered and the homeowner will be notified and know what is going on around them.
There are two main types of motion sensors in surveillance systems, one that triggers motion by measuring pixel changes and relying on motion algorithms, known as optical-based motion sensors, and another that triggers motion alerts by detecting body heat and infrared energy, known as PIR motion sensors.
Why is My Security Camera Not Picking up Motion?
In fact, many famous brands of cameras will fail to detect motion, so let's look at the reasons why they do this.
Why Blink Camera Not Detecting Motion?
A common cause of motion detection issues with Blink cameras is when they are left disarmed. By default, Blink camera devices are configured in the "Disarmed" mode, rendering them inactive and unable to record motion. Activating the camera by arming it enables its motion detection system and event recording functionality.
Blink cameras let you choose activity zones, so you can decide which areas trigger motion detection. Sometimes, things like moving trees or bushes can cause false alarms. If your Blink camera isn't spotting motion, check the app to see if the activity zones are set up right.
Updating firmware can sometimes turn off certain camera features by resetting device permissions. To fix this, ensure permissions are turned on in the Blink app.
If you find permissions turned off, manually switch them back on in the app. Locate the specific permissions or features and activate them to restore normal camera function.
Additionally, a unstable network connection may affect motion detection and live view.
To troubleshoot motion detection issues, check the motion detection setting in Camera Settings. If disabled, toggle Enable to activate it.
Why Ring Camera Not Detecting Motion?
Weak or unstable Wi-Fi signals can be a primary cause of a Ring camera's failure to detect motion. If the signal strength is poor or there are connectivity problems, motion detection may be compromised.
Incorrect motion settings can also lead to issues. Setting sensitivity levels too low may result in missed motion, while setting them too high could trigger frequent false alerts.
Proper placement of your Ring camera is crucial for effective motion detection. If it's positioned incorrectly or obstructed by objects like trees or bushes, it may struggle to capture motion effectively.
A low battery or insufficient power supply can also prevent the camera from detecting motion. Ensuring the battery is charged or connecting the camera properly to a power source is important for optimal performance.
Outdated firmware can sometimes interfere with motion detection. Keeping your Ring Camera's firmware up to date is essential for maintaining its functionality.
Why Arlo Camera Not Detecting Motion?
Incorrect Camera Positioning: Ensure your camera is positioned correctly for optimal performance.
Connectivity and Power Issues: Check that your camera is connected to the internet and that the battery is fully charged.
Placement Behind Transparent Objects: Avoid placing your Arlo camera behind glass, plastic, or mirrors as this can weaken motion sensor performance.
Notification Settings: Confirm that Arlo notifications are turned on and that the email address in the Arlo Secure App is accurate. This ensures alerts are sent correctly.
Motion Detection Feature: Verify that the motion detection feature is enabled and that the appropriate rules are applied to the camera for effective motion detection.
How To Fix Camera Not Detecting Motion?
If your security camera not detecting motion and you want to fix it yourself, here are the top four steps you can implement.
Activate & Reconfigure Motion Detection
Some users might have experienced that their security camera is not reacting to people walking into its frame, nor does the camera not detect motion.
In such case, it’s likely that user forgets to configure motion detection setting during setup stage. Some security cameras will initiate motion detection by default while some are not.
Thus, make sure you have enabled motion detection in your desktop software or mobile apps.
If you don't know how to set up motion detection on your phone or laptop, the video below can help you a lot.
Or you did all above and the problem is still there, readjust sensibility and change other motion detection settings like increasing sensibility to object size, increasing contrast to the max, resetting Geo-fencing, resetting motion detection schedule or resetting threshold level.
Update Firmware
Many security cameras will start recording when movement is detected. Behind such technology lies in the complicated algorithm which will calculate the pixies difference between different frames.
However, once the algorithm is not properly calculated, situations like cameras are not recording movements even there are people approaching or walking pass, will occur. Updating security camera firmware or firmware of NVR/DVR to the latest version could fix potential bugs that have been meddling with the motion detection or push notification.
Update Monitoring Software
Monitoring software or apps play a role in motion capture and motion alert triggers since you need them to enable motion detection and trigger in the first place, or not for some of them trigger motion by default.
Any bugs or unresolved technical problems in the monitoring software or apps could have an impact on the general performance of your security cameras or systems.
Think about the movie Ant-man or TV show Arrow, a simple glitch could jeopardize the overall functionality. Upgrading your apps or software to an updated version and gets rid of this nagging problem once for all.
Change Cameras’ Placement or Pointing Angle
Security cameras with built-in PIR motion sensor, such as Arlo cameras could see cameras do detect motion but fail to record or capture movement. Or cameras can’t detect or record motions through glass or window glass panel.
In such cases, avoid placing motion detection security cameras behind the glass window especially cameras with a PIR motion sensor; do place wireless motion sensor security cameras closer to a WiFi router or hotspot.
The object from afar is relatively easier to be miss out, so don’t expect security cameras to pick up every movement within its field of view. Focusing on strategic areas for motion detection helps achieve maximal peace of mind as well as reducing unwanted false alarms.
FAQs
1. Why am I not getting notifications from my security camera?
Check the notification settings within your camera's mobile app or software. Ensure that notifications are enabled for the camera and that you've selected the specific types of events (motion detection, sound, etc.) for which you want to receive alerts.
Sometimes, there may be a delay in receiving notifications due to server or network issues. Check if notifications arrive after a slight delay.
2. Why security cameras detection zone not working?
Double-check the configuration of your detection zones. Ensure that you have properly defined and customized the zones in the camera's settings to cover the areas where you want motion detection to occur.
Ensure that detection zones do not overlap or conflict with each other. Overlapping zones can lead to unexpected behavior.
Check the camera's physical placement and angle. Ensure that it has a clear line of sight to the areas you've defined in the detection zones. Obstructions or positioning issues can affect zone functionality.
3. Why are security cameras not recording motion?
If your security cameras aren't recording motion, start by reviewing and adjusting motion detection settings, checking detection zone configurations, and verifying camera placement. Ensure a stable power supply and network connection, and confirm sufficient storage capacity.
Conclusion
Normally, people infuriate about getting loads of false alarm alerts and getting their storage/inbox flooded with notifications, but not so much furious when not getting any notification or motion alert.
However, more often than not, no news is not always good news, especially if you are not storing footage to an on-site NVR or uploading to a cloud server, missing out such important forensic video evidence is unnerving.
Technically speaking, many cheap or cheapish security cameras, despite having built-in motion sensors, could experience problems like motion detection not working, frequent motion triggers or security cameras not picking up motion.
Buying security cameras from top CCTV camera brand like Reolink could reduce such risks and guarantee long-term stability in performance.