Why Does My Security Camera Keep Going Offline? Reasons and Fixes

Why does my security camera keep going offline? A security camera is designed to help protect the inside and outside of your home, and its connection to the Internet allows you to monitor your home more conveniently with features like remote access or two-way audio. So, it's a problem when your security camera gets stuck and keeps going offline, making some important features inoperable. To help you out, let's find out why your security camera goes offline and how to fix it.

Why Security Camera Keeps Going Offline: 6 Common Reasons

Knowing why your security camera keeps going offline is the key to fixing the problem. In general, there are 6 common causes that may lead to the breakdown of the security camera:

Problems with the Camera’s Wireless Connection

Since most security cameras transmit signals and come online through a Wi-Fi connection or a 3G/4G cellular network, the most likely reason your security cameras are offline is a poor wireless connection. Check to see if your camera has lost its connection due to a weak signal, router problems, or network interference. If that's the case, fix the connection problem or try to connect to a wired connection. If there are obstacles between the camera and the Wi-Fi router, it may also cause the problem that the security camera may be not working.

Low Bandwidth

A security camera indeed streams live video and records data, which requires a certain amount of bandwidth to transmit to the cloud server. If the available bandwidth is low or limited, the camera may go offline frequently or experience interruptions in the video stream due to data transmission issues. Additionally, if the network is experiencing heavy traffic, such as multiple devices using the Internet simultaneously, it can lead to bandwidth congestion. This congestion can affect the camera's performance and cause it to go offline or have poor video quality.

Outdated Firmware Version

If your security camera has been working for a long time and you've never upgraded its firmware, you need to pay attention to the firmware issue. Outdated firmware can affect the performance of these cameras, leading to potential connectivity issues and frequent disconnections from the network. Regular firmware updates are crucial for maintaining the stability and functionality of internet-connected security cameras.

Problems with the Network Equipment

A common blind spot is overlooking potential hardware issues with network equipment. Internal components, such as routers, Ethernet cables, and network switches, could be faulty or damaged, leading to intermittent disconnects. Over time, hardware wear and tear can also contribute to connectivity problems. Additionally, low-quality routers may struggle to accommodate bandwidth and transmit signals effectively to the cloud.

Not Stable Power Source

The power source is a crucial factor that can lead to a security camera going offline. Ensure that the camera is receiving a stable power supply and check for any damage to the power adapter that could disrupt the connection. We suggest getting a wireless security camera with both solar and battery power, such as the eufyCam S3 Pro. Equipped with an integrated solar panel and a robust 13,000mAh battery, it provides continuous, reliable protection with long-lasting performance, ensuring your security is always on guard. Additionally, monitor for any power outages in your area, and if there is one, wait until the power is restored before expecting the camera to come back online.

Interference from Other Household Devices

Your router might be susceptible to electromagnetic interference from various household devices. Electronic appliances like telephones, computers, televisions, and refrigerators can cause wireless interference, especially when they operate simultaneously with your router. To mitigate this issue, it's advisable to keep your router placed several feet away from these appliances. Additionally, consider placing the router in a central location to improve its signal distribution throughout your home. Moreover, using a router with dual-band or tri-band capabilities can help reduce interference and enhance the stability of your surveillance camera's connection.

Bonus: What to do if Your eufy Camera Go Offline

If your eufy security camera is going offline, here are some potential reasons and solutions:

Network Issues:

• Try relocating the camera and HomeBase to an area with a better WiFi signal.
• Ensure your WiFi is set to 2.4GHz to stabilize the connection.

Power Issues:

• Replace the battery or check the solar panel settings.

If the camera still goes offline, you can try the following steps:

• Reboot the camera and HomeBase.
• Re-add the camera to your eufy app. Remember to back up your footage first.
• Contact eufy customer support via email.

How to Get My Security Camera Back Online: 5 Ways

After going over all the possible causes, you may figure out which one is the cause. Also, you can try out the 5 workable solutions in the following and get your security camera back online.

Reboot Your Security Camera and the Wi-Fi Router

Simply rebooting your security camera can troubleshoot many temporary hiccups. Now, power off your camera, and then power it back on a few minutes later. If restarting the camera doesn't help out, you may consider resetting it to the factory settings. Please follow the user manual to reset your security camera, so it'll restore the settings to default values. After that, see whether the security camera gets back online.

Also, you can restart your Wi-Fi router to fix glitches and refresh the connection. You should ensure that all cables and connectors between the camera and network devices are well connected. If using an Ethernet cable, try replacing it with a new one. Please disconnect your newly used device or put your router away to avoid interference from other household devices.

Upgrade the Bandwidth

You can start by checking your Internet bandwidth and monitoring your current internet usage patterns to identify potential factors affecting your security camera's performance. If you notice that your bandwidth is limited or your camera is struggling to transmit data, consider contacting your Internet service provider (ISP) to discuss possible plan upgrades or solutions to improve your camera's connectivity.

Update the Firmware of the Security Camera

As mentioned above, firmware updates are usually meant to troubleshoot known and potential problems. Therefore, you should check if there is any firmware update available for your security camera. Not to mention, keeping the camera's firmware up to date can fix bugs and improve performance. To perform an update, you can visit the manufacturer's website or refer to the user manual for instructions on how to update the firmware.

Change Networking Equipment

If your security camera frequently goes offline, the issue could be caused by outdated or physically damaged network equipment. Consider upgrading to newer, more capable network equipment to ensure a stable and reliable connection for your camera. Additionally, check for any physical damages to cables and connectors.

Creating a network diagram can be helpful for planning your network layout and optimizing device placement to avoid interference between household devices, but it may not directly address the immediate camera offline problem.

Unplug the Camera and Reconnect It with the Power Source

This is a simple workaround. You can simply unplug the security camera and reconnect it to the power source. Also, make sure that the cable is not physically broken. If your power is working but the security camera is still offline, try plugging it into a different outlet. Also, if it's a battery-powered camera, check to see if the battery needs to be charged or replaced.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, having a secure camera system is about taking proactive steps to protect your property and family. It can be highly inconvenient when your security cameras keep going offline, but with proper troubleshooting measures and understanding of common problems that may arise, you can stay one step ahead in keeping yourself secure.

If you find yourself struggling to sort out why your camera keeps going offline, it's important to contact an experienced tech team on-hand who can provide assistance. They will be able to review your hardware setup in detail and give advice on best practices to keep you safe.

We hope this blog post has given you some insight into why this issue may occur and how you can go about dealing with it quickly and efficiently.