Symptoms
- People walk past the camera but no alert or recording happens
- Motion detection worked before but stopped
- Alerts only trigger for close, direct movement
- Recording history shows big gaps during known activity
Likely causes
- CommonMotion detection zone drawn too narrowCustom zones can accidentally exclude the area where activity actually happens.
- CommonMotion sensitivity set too lowA low sensitivity setting ignores smaller or more distant movement.
- PossibleScheduled quiet hours or disarmed mode activeMany apps let you schedule motion detection off during certain hours, which is easy to forget.
- PossibleCamera obstructed or angle shiftedWind, an accidental bump, or growing foliage can shift the field of view away from the activity area.
- Less commonFirmware bug or app sync issueOccasionally an update can reset or corrupt motion zone settings.
What to do
- Open the app and review the motion zone map to make sure it covers where activity happens.
- Increase motion sensitivity and test by walking through the field of view.
- Check for and disable any scheduled quiet hours, disarmed mode, or geofencing that turns detection off when you're home.
- Physically check the camera's angle and clean the lens; a shifted or blocked view will miss motion.
- Trim any bushes, branches, or decorations that may be blowing into the frame and confusing detection.
- Restart the camera and re-verify motion zone settings after the reboot.
- Reset motion zones to default and redraw them if settings appear corrupted.
When to call a pro
If motion detection still fails after resetting zones and sensitivity, contact the manufacturer to check for a hardware sensor issue.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.