Why do My Security Cameras Freeze

Even though they sometimes become a topic of controversy, there is no doubt that security cameras are great assets to a business or a household. They are essential deterrents of crime. The benefits of security camera systems cannot be understated in the modern climate, considering the rise in criminal activities. It is very reasonable to worry about the safety of your business possessions and the safety of your employees. Therefore, having a comprehensive surveillance system for your business is very justifiable. 

Security cameras help you care better for your business. But they can only be as helpful as the quality of footage they provide you with. It is not uncommon to face issues with CCTV camera footage, but these issues need to be handled with care. Not only to trace and remove the problems but also to keep the system working at the peak of its efficiency. Even the slightest flickering or blurring in-camera footage can obscure essential elements of the footage that may be vital in tracing a criminal. 

Even though modern cameras are much more advanced, both in durability and features than the obsolete technology just a few years ago, they still need maintenance. Problems with camera hardware or incorrect fitting can result in footage defects such as video flickering, blurred footage, and security camera freeze.  

Noise in Camera Footage

Having noise in-camera footage is normal, unlike a security camera freeze. No matter how good of a camera you might have, you will always have some noise in the footage. Even though modern cameras feature noise reduction to keep it to a minimum, the noise can increase with time as the camera hardware weakens. There are several different types of camera noise that you might face. 

The first one is very straightforward; you might see black and white dots in the camera footage, giving a grainy appearance. This can occur due to inadequate or dim lighting that does not allow a camera to distinguish colors and contrast. The pixels in the image blend together and reduce the detail of the picture. The only solution to this kind of noise is getting a camera with better noise reduction. This might also develop with time as the camera lens becomes lesser efficient.

The second most common type is horizontal or vertical lines in the camera footage. This can occur due to two main reasons. The first one is ambient light. And the second one is electrical interference in the camera footage. It is tough to determine what the root cause of this trouble is. If the issue stems from ambient light, you can start by removing any light that directly falls on the camera, especially bright ones. And if you think that the noise in the camera footage is generated by electrical interference, you can do two things. The first is to check the power supply cable for damage. The second is to ensure that all signal cables are routed correctly and do not have damaged shielding. 

Offline Cameras

Seeing a security camera freeze, or go offline permanently or frequently can be the most frustrating issue with surveillance systems. While noise is an issue that does not render your cameras completely useless, that is not the case with offline cameras. There are several reasons why this might happen to you:

• This seems like a pronounced issue, but if you are under the impression that your camera systems are adequately powered, this can go completely undetected. Having no power in a camera system will immediately cut the video output. And a faulty power supply might even let the cameras run for a while before footage goes off, giving you a false impression of a functional power supply.
• The second reason for this can be the data connection between the camera and the screen where the display goes. Your camera transmits data to the screen using a cable or a wireless connection. If the connection is compromised due to a weak or non-existent link, you may not get any footage at all.
• Modern security camera systems come with specialized software that can control which camera gives you footage at which time. A camera might be disabled in the software without your knowledge. Make sure you check that. 
• Finally, if you see a security camera freeze, check your camera for damage if all the above comes out negative. If you cannot trace any problem in the power supply, software, or connection of the camera, try switching it with another camera. You might just have a faulty camera that needs to be replaced.

How to Avoid Surveillance System Issues

Like any other piece of technology, certain practices would allow you to extend the life and functionality of your security camera system. The first step to having an effective camera system is to get it installed by a professional. While installing cameras yourself might seem like an effortless task, as most camera connections are self-explanatory, a professional knows details that you might miss out on. Professional camera installation would keep in consideration where to place the camera for optimum video footage. You might install it in a location where it is prone to extreme environmental effects, causing a security camera freeze. If your camera is not durable enough to bear it, a professional will make an enclosure to protect it. 

The second way to extend the life of a camera system is regular maintenance. While flickering and grains in-camera footage are commonly faced issues, they have a tendency to be shrugged off as trivial problems. While in reality, they might be indicators of more significant issues in the camera system. This may cause the surveillance system to give up on you when you might need it the most. How frequently your camera system needs maintenance depends on the conditions in which it is being used. But getting monthly checks on the health of the camera system is an excellent way to ensure all the system’s features are working efficiently.

While getting a completely new camera system after the previous one is entirely useless might cost you a lot. Upgrading your surveillance system on an annual basis can be a cheap way to keep camera footage quality to a maximum and avoiding security camera freeze. If you frequently update the hardware of your surveillance system, it is doubtful that it would face significant issues.