How to fix IP security camera's damaged RJ45 connector

Damaged RJ45 connectors in security cameras are a common occurrence. There are many reasons why the RJ45 plug of the camera can get damaged such as water going inside the connection and corroding the pins, burned connector because of an electrical issue or thunderstorm, bad quality camera, etc.

This issue can be frustrating, your camera doesn’t work and your security is compromised. Moreover, a damaged RJ45 connector voids the warranty since it’s considered an improper installation.

Well, there’s a quick fix that can bring your camera online again. In this guide, we will show how to fix a damaged (burned) RJ45 connector of a security camera. Follow the instructions step by step and you’ll fix your burned camera RJ45 connector.

How to fix a damaged RJ45 connection on an IP security camera?

There are two basic methods to replace a damaged RJ45 connector on a camera’s pigtail. Both consist of cutting the damaged connector and reestablishing the connection by using an Ethernet coupler or a Keystone Jack.

Keep in mind, you need the pinout diagram of the camera’s pigtail and, unfortunately, this is not standardized yet. It’s better to check the spec sheet of the security camera or contact the manufacturer.

Usually, the manufacturers use their own color-coded pinouts, for example, the orange wire may be power on some manufacturers or data in others.

Important note: Depending on the amount of damage caused to your RJ45 connector, these tricks may not work. Sometimes the rainwater that enters the connector may cause the camera to short circuit which will obviously burn the camera’s motherboard.

In this case, no matter if you redo the connector, the camera is fried and it’s beyond repair. However, in other instances, redoing the connector may bring the camera back online. Either way, it’s worth a shot. There’s nothing to lose, in the worst-case scenario the camera won’t work which was already the case.

Our recommended method is to use a Keystone Jack, it’s easier, faster, and less room for error. Additionally, you may need to use a few tools to perform the fix. All the tools can be easily purchased on Amazon or any local store.

Damaged RJ45 camera connector: Fix it by using an Ethernet coupler

This method involves using an Ethernet coupler to create a substitute pigtail for your security camera. Basically, we will cut the damaged connector and re-establish the connector using a coupler. The procedure is as follow:

Cut off the damaged RJ45 connector
Crimp a new RJ45 connector into the camera’s pigtail
Use an Ethernet Coupler and cable to connect the camera to the network (or NVR)
Test out the connection to see if the camera is working.

Tools you need for fixing the RJ45 connector using the Ethernet coupler method:

An RJ45 crimp tool (Amazon link)
An RJ45 connector, pass-through type (Amazon link)
An Ethernet coupler (Amazon link)

You can buy these tools on Amazon (check the links above). The connector comes in a pack, we still recommend getting a full pack since you may not get it right the first time.

Moreover, you can use them in the future again if you need to terminate any cameras or network cables. It’s always good to have spare parts.

Step 1. Cut Off the damaged RJ45 connector

Once you get all your supplies, you can start to fix your camera with a damaged RJ45 connector. First of all, let’s start by cutting the damaged connector.

Cut off the pigtail right where the regular cabling starts. If the pigtail has connectors that you don’t use, such as audio in, audio out, etc, you can cut them off as well to make more room for the new connection.

The next step is to use your crimp tool to strip the camera’s cable. Pull back any insulation and expose the 8 colored wires inside the cable. You can cut off the excess insulation to make room for the termination process.
Important note: When you strip the cable, you may find additional cables inside. Some camera models come with audio connections (audio IN, audio OUT), alarm connections, BNC connections, etc.

Usually, you don’t need to worry about the additional cables, to bring the IP camera online you need to deal with Ethernet wires only and redo the connection.

Step 2: Terminate the cable

Now you need to terminate the camera’s cable, meaning you should crimp the (new) RJ45 connector. This is a bit tricky because wires are color-coded differently depending on the manufacturer.

As we mentioned earlier, you need to get the color-coded wire diagram from the spec sheet of the camera by contacting the manufacturer/seller. Below we’ve listed the RJ45 pinout diagram for these brand name and resellers:

RJ45 pinout diagram for Hikvision logo and OEMs sold under these brands: 3xLogic, ABUS, Acegear, Activecam, ADJ, Advidia, Alarm.com, Alibi, Allnet, Alula, Anaveo, Annke, Arcdyn, Armix, Aukoo Technology, Aventura Technologies, Avue, Cantek, CCTVStar, ClearWay, Covert Security, Dax Networks, DMP, Dodwell BMS, DSS, Dunlop, DVR Unlimited, Ellipse Security, Epcom, Esypop, Ezviz, Gess Technologies, Global Network Security, GovComm, Grundig, GVS Security, Hinovision, Hitachi, Hitosino, Honeywell, Hunt CCTV, Hyundai Security, Infinite Pixels, Inkovideo, Innekt, Interlogix, Invidtech, JFL, Jlinks, LaView, LTS, Mercury Security, MicroView, Nelly’s Security, Norelco SafeCam, Northern Cameras, Novicam, NTT, Oculur, Onix. Power Technology, Protect Group, Raster, Remark Thermal, RVi, Safety Vision, Safire, Scati, SecurityTronix, Sentry CCTV, Sharp, Siqura, Smart CT Solutions, SnapAV / Luma, Space Technology, Syscom, Technomate, Toshiba, Trendnet, Vantage Security, Vezco CCTV, Videoteknika, Winic CCTV, Zicom.
RJ45 pinout diagram for Dahua logo and OEMs sold under these brands: Activecam, Advidia, Amcrest, Ameta, Ascendent, Backstreet Surveillance, BV Security, CCTV Security Pros, CCTV Star, CP Plus (Orange Line), Dax Networks, eLine, ENS (formerly Eastern CCTV and SavvyTech), Expose, Lorex, GSS, Honeywell, IC Realtime, Ikegami, Impath Networks, Inaxsys, IndigoVision, Infinity CCTV, Innekt, Intelbras, KBVision, Lumixen, Maxron, Montavue, Oco, Optiview, Rhodium, RVI, Saxco, Security Camera King (Elite), Space Technology, Speco, ToughDog, Tyco Holis, Tyco Illustra Essentials, Unisight, VIP Vision, Watchnet, Winic, Zuum.
RJ45 pinout diagram for Uniview logo and OEMs sold under these brands: 2M Technology, Cantronic, CCTV Security Pros, CNB, CP Plus, Dax Networks, Dorani, Eclipse, Envirocams, Fermax Australia, Galaxy, Geovision, Gess, Global, Grupo PV (Voxel), Invid Tech, LTS, Norden (Eyenor), Openeye, Oviss, People Fu, Q-See Presidio line, Raster, Revo, Security Camera Warehouse, Uniview Tec, Western Digital.

In this example, we will use a Hikvision logo camera. When you cut open and strip the cable from a Hikvision camera you should be able to see a total of eight wires: brown, white, blue, gray, purple, green, orange, and yellow.

Note some Hikvison cameras may contain 10 color-coded wires inside the cable, including solid red and black which are used to power the camera (from the 12V DC). You can cut them off, we don’t need them since the camera will use Power over Ethernet (PoE).

Once the power wires (red and black) are eliminated, you’ll be left with eight color-coded wires. Take a look at the RJ45 pass-through connector, you’ll notice eight little rivets/”holes” that are used to guide the color wired into the eight pins.

All we have to do now is line up the wires from the camera’s pigtail, guide them on the pass-through connector and terminate the connection. Simple as that.

In a standard Ethernet cable, the two orange wires and the two green wires are used for data transmission, while the blue and brown wires are used for power (PoE). Below we’ve shown the pinout of the Hikvision camera.
Guide the lined-up wires on the pass-through connector, push them all the way and then crimp them down. Check the pin’s side to make sure all the wires are terminated. Once done, move to the next step.

Step 4. Test out the connection

At this point, the connection is redone. Connect your Ethernet coupler to the camera and then connect the camera to the network (PoE switch or straight to the back of the NVR).
Wait and see if your camera turns on, if the IR lights blink on it means the camera is getting powered. Test out if you see any picture on the screen, or use your laptop to scan the network and locate the IP address of the camera. If you see it there, congratulations, you fixed your camera with a damaged RJ45 connector.

If your camera is back online, you need to weatherproof the connection if you intend to install the camera outdoors. Use waterproof tape to insulate the connection. Make it as tight as possible. It doesn’t have to look pretty, all we care about is for the camera to work again.

Damaged RJ45 camera connector: Fix it by using a Keystone Jack

We consider this method to be easier. All you need is a keystone jack, the pinout diagram of the camera, and a punch-down tool. The procedure is as follow:

Cut off the damaged RJ45 connector
Inspect the keystone jack and line up the wires
Punch down the wires on the keystone jack
Test out the connection to see if the camera is working.

Tools you need for fixing the RJ45 connector using the keystone jack method:

Cable stripper (Amazon Link)
A keystone jack (Amazon Link)
A punch-down tool (Amazon Link)

You can get these tools on Amazon (click the link beside each tool) or in any local store. These tools are handy and you can use them again if you have problems with your security cameras.

Step 1. Cut Off the damaged RJ45 connector

Same way as we discussed previously, cut off the damaged connector from the camera’s pigtail. Remove the other cables on the pigtail if you don’t intend to use them (such as alarm, audio, BNC, etc.)

Use the stripper tool (or a sharp knife) to strip down the cable and you should be able to see 8 color-coded wires. In some cameras you may see 10 wires, two of them (black and red) are for the 12V DC power.

Cut them off as well since we will be using PoE. In total, you should have eight wires to punch down on the keystone jack.

Step 2. Inspect the keystone jack and line up the wires

There’s no need to crimp an RJ45 connection into the Ethernet cable of your camera. Instead, we’ll punch down the eight color wires into the keystone jack. There are a few types of keystone jacks, the one that doesn’t need a punch-down tool and the one where the tool is required.

Either way, the most important thing is to line up the wires correctly based on the diagram printed on the keystone jack. All the jacks have a color code alongside a number and are usually compliant with two standards: T-568A and T-568B.

Usually, the order on the keystone jack is:

Left side, top to bottom: 2, 1, 6, 3
Right side, top to bottom: 4, 5, 7, 8 .

Make sure to consult the labeled number on the keystone jack. In some cases, especially if the keystone jack is designed to work without the punchdown tool, the wires may be inversed into the jack from upside-down.

So, left side, top to bottom: 4, 5, 7, 8; and right side, top to bottom: 2, 1, 6, 3 (the opposite of the bullet points above).

Below is the diagram for a standard RJ45 Keystone Jack (for an Hikvision camera).

If the keystone is toolless, the line up is upside-down the diagram (check the paragraph above).

Step 3. Punch down the wires on the keystone jack

Use the punch down tool to push down each wire on the keystone jack’s terminal. The tool’s blade should be positioned on the outer side of the jack and will cut the excess wire when you push it down. On each punch down you should hear a clicking noise from the tool.
If you got the keystone that doesn’t require a tool, simply line up each wire on the terminals and snap the jack closed. Make sure the lid is tight and well closed. Use the clamp, if your keystone jack comes with one.

If your keystone jack does not require a tool, you’ll need to line up each wire at the same time. Then you’ll snap your jack closed. Sometimes your jack will include a small lever, which you can use to clamp the jack even tighter to aid in cutting off any excess wire.

Step 4. Test out the connection

Once done, plug the camera back into the network or NVR and wait to see if it comes online. Usually, if the connection was done correctly, the camera will be back online after 3-5 minutes.

If you don’t see any light coming from the camera, it means the camera is not getting powered on. Try to re-do the connection one more time.

Make sure to follow the right color lineup diagram. Sometimes the camera itself is fried up (burned) and the problem is not at the connector.

If the camera is working, ensure the connection is weatherproof. Use waterproof tape to insulate the jack (if you intend to install the camera outdoors).

Conclusion

If your security camera has a damaged RJ45 connection, it’s not still a lost cause. You can try to re-do the connector by using one of the methods shown above (Ethernet coupler or keystone jack).
An important part of these procedures is to have the right color wire pinout of your security camera. You can check the camera’s spec sheet or contact the manufacturer/seller and ask them to provide the diagram.