Security cameras play a key role in protecting your home and property. If your camera isn’t recording or detecting motion as expected, don’t worry—this guide will walk you through the most common causes and how to fix them.
Common Reasons and Solutions
1. Incorrect Installation
Improper camera placement or installation can significantly impact motion detection accuracy.
Solution:
- Avoid glass or windows: Motion sensors (especially PIR) do not work through glass. Do not install the camera behind a window.
- Position the camera properly: Make sure the camera has a clear, unobstructed view of the area you want to monitor.
- Adjust height and angle:
- Recommended height: around 7 feet (2.1 meters).
- Angle it downward at 10°–15° to cover the ideal detection zone.
- Avoid pointing too high or too low to reduce missed detections or false triggers.
2. App Settings
Settings in the Vicohome App directly control motion detection and recording behavior.
Solution:
- Enable Motion Detection: Go to Camera Settings > Motion Detection, and toggle it ON.
- Adjust Sensitivity:
- If sensitivity is too low, minor movements may not trigger recording.
- Try setting it to Medium (default) or High for wider detection range.
- Wake from Sleep Mode: Cameras in sleep mode won’t record or detect motion. Ensure the camera is active.
- Exit Live View Mode: When watching the live stream, motion detection is temporarily paused. Exit live view to re-enable motion capture.
3. Camera-related factors
Sometimes the issue lies with the physical condition or internal state of the camera.
What to check:
- Remove protective film from the lens, if present.
- Clean the lens with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust or smudges.
- Check the network: A poor Wi-Fi connection can prevent recordings from uploading or syncing.
- Restart the camera: Reboot the device and observe if the PIR sensor responds (look for the indicator light or test the motion trigger).
4. Environmental Factors
- Avoid glare and reflections: Position the camera away from direct sunlight or reflective surfaces (e.g., glass, metal).
- Weather impact: Protect the camera with appropriate enclosures. Extreme weather may obstruct the camera's view, impair motion detection, or damage the equipment.
- Try a different location: Temporarily install the camera in a new environment to test whether the issue is location-specific.
What should I do if my device is still not detecting any movements?
If you've verified installation, settings, and environment, try this simple test:
- Stand in front of the camera and wave your hand or walk across the field of view.
- Watch for the camera’s indicator light (usually blue) to turn on, signaling PIR detection.
- Check the app to see if a video clip was recorded.