Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is common in the UAE in homes, offices, warehouses, and on the street to create more security and peace of mind. However, as a CCTV technician who works in all locations of Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, there are several issues that the majority of users face, and most of them can easily be prevented or solved.
This article will take you through some of the issues encountered by individuals with their CCTV cameras services Dubai, their probable causes, and how you can either solve or prevent them.
1. No Video Signal/Blank Screen
Another of the most popular is the situation in which the camera does not have any video or has a blank screen. This usually happens due to:
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Loose or disconnected cables
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Faulty power supply
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Damaged ports or connectors
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Malfunctioning DVR/NVR
How to fix it: The first thing is to look at the power adapter and connection cables. Ensure that everything is well plugged. When a DVR is present, make sure that it is powered and the video has the right input settings. At times, changing the camera port assists in ascertaining whether the camera or the port is faulty.
2. Poor Image Quality (Blurry or Grainy Footage)
Low-quality video, in particular at night, is another common complaint. CCTV cameras take clear images, and in some instances, the images are fuzzy, distorted, or filled with pixels.
Common causes:
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Dirty camera lens
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Poor lighting conditions
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Low-resolution settings
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Outdated camera model
Troubleshooting hint: Just clean-up the lens using a microfiber cloth. Have a look at the camera configuration in the DVR/NVR you may have a low resolution without even knowing. Also, consider installing proper lighting or upgrading to an infrared (IR) or night vision camera if night footage is consistently poor.
3. CCTV Camera Not Recording
There are times when everything is connected yet the camera is not capturing a single shot of footage. This can be an aggravating experience and so when you want to have the previous records.
Possible causes:
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Full storage (hard disk full)
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Recording mode not enabled
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Hard drive failure
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Incorrect date/time settings
Actions: Enter into the DVR/NVR menu, and make sure that there are records. Make sure that it detects motion or records all the time. In the case of a full hard disk, set it to erase old footage or to upgrade the storage. Hard drives break down now and then and have to be changed.
4. Infrared (IR) Not Working at Night
IR night vision is necessary to conduct surveillance at night but at times it simply quits functioning. When the image is totally black at night or does not indicate any IR lighting then the IR LEDs may be nonfunctional.
Why this happens:
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Damaged IR LEDs
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Obstructions in front of the lens
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Camera not switching to night mode
Quick fix: Check whether the IR LEDs glow faintly red in the dark (this indicates they’re working). Confirm that the camera lens is not blocked by some objects. Another thing you can do is change the camera night setting to manual and activate it.
5. Lines or Flickering in the Video
Lines and flickering in your video are usually indications that there is something wrong with your footage either there is electrical impairment of your video or there is low level of the signals used.
Reasons may include:
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Poor quality BNC cables
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Power fluctuations
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Interference from nearby electronic devices
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Grounding issues
What helps: Use good quality shielded coaxial cables. Do not co-run video Cables and power line together. Since it has been given that the problem may not be solved, a solution will be adding a power conditioner or surge protector to stabilize the supply.
6. DVR/NVR Not Detecting the Camera
Sometimes, the recording system doesn’t recognize the camera at all. This is very typical of IP cameras.
Reasons for this:
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IP address conflict
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Camera is not compatible with NVR
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Firmware mismatch
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Defective PoE switch or port
Fix it like this: Make sure the IP address is correctly set and doesn’t conflict with another device on the network. For IP cameras, check whether the PoE switch is powering the device properly. You may also need to update firmware on both the camera and the NVR.
7. Mobile App Not Showing Live Feed
In the UAE, many users access their CCTV installation near me system remotely through mobile apps. When these apps stop working, it becomes a major problem.
Main causes:
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Internet issues (Wi-Fi down or slow)
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Incorrect port forwarding
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Outdated app or firmware
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Device not added properly
To resolve this: First, check the internet connection at the camera location. Make sure your DVR/NVR has remote access configured correctly (with port forwarding, if required). Make sure to be always updated on the app provided by the manufacturer, and add the device again when you need to.
8. Motion Detection Not Working
Motion detection is a useful feature that saves storage and alerts users about any movement, but sometimes it simply doesn’t trigger.
Likely reasons:
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Sensitivity set too low
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Wrong detection zone configured
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Camera firmware issues
What to do: Go into your system settings and increase the sensitivity level. In addition, set or sketch the motion detection field appropriately (a few systems do not alarm unless the movement is inside a configured area). Reboot of the DVR/NVR will usually do the trick when there is a provisorily malfunction.
9. Water or Dust Inside the Camera
When it is scorching in UAE, in particular in summer or in the times of sandstorms, outdoor cameras are susceptible to vagaries of weather.
Common consequences:
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Foggy lens
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Water droplets affecting visibility
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Corrosion on internal circuits
Preventive measures: IP66 or higher weatherproof cameras must be used in outdoor areas all the time. Check regularly cameras whose seals may be broken or do have cracks. Exposure to dust and moisture can also be reduced by installing sunshades, and installing cameras in eaves or shelters.
10. Power Supply Problems
The CCTV systems are based on a steady and steady power. Fluctuations in the voltage or outage of power can cause the cameras to shut down, freeze or reboot.
Solutions include:
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Using a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
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Replacing old power adapters
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Ensuring proper power rating for each camera
Final Thoughts
The majority of CCTV camera problems can be conditionally avoided by installing them properly, selecting with quality gear and maintaining them. Problems that are occurring on a regular basis are sufficient reasons to seek professional system health check. I can solve many of the problems people are making, either the wrong installation or cheap components both of which are relatively easy to fix.
It is important to remember that a CCTV system can be as good as the footage it takes. Thus, frequent monitoring, adherence to keeping your system up-to-date, and the ability to promptly solve the problem might all be the difference to your security system. For more in your CCTV installation in Dubai call now at our free helpline number +971-4549-0505.
