There are many reasons why your security camera may show a black screen. It’s a very common issue with security cameras and it needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
If you see a black screen, it means that the camera is not sending any video feed. Obviously, the camera is not recording anything (apart from a black screen) and your security has been compromised.
To cut the chase, most of the time a black screen on the security cameras is caused by these factors:
- A cable problem such as cut wires, loose connectors, bent cables, etc
- A power issue with the camera (or the system)
- TV display output issue
- The camera’s lens is blocked by an object
- Faulty camera or recorder
In this guide, we will discuss and show you how to narrow down the issue and then solve the black screen problem with your security camera. Additionally, you may check this article as well: How to fix Video Loss in security camera systems.
How To Fix Security Camera Shows a Black Screen Issue
The first thing you should do is check the physical connections. In many cases, the camera shows a black screen because it is experiencing power or data loss. Once that is ruled out, you can move into other technical approaches.
Additionally, you may need to check if something is blocking the camera’s lens. Maybe someone placed a tape over it or block the view or unlawfully repositioned the camera. Simply go up to the camera and see if everything looks okay.
Inspect the wiring
Check out the cables at the back of the NVR, DVR, central unit, or the camera itself. Trace the whole runEnsure the cable is not cut, damaged, broken, or bent.
Then you need to check the connectors and ensure nothing is loose. As a matter of fact, it’s quite often to get the black screen on the camera because the connectors are loose or not fully plugged in.
If you’re using an NVR, check the RJ45 plugs and ensure those are not just well terminated but are plugged all the way on the socket (you should hear a click when so). If you’re using a coaxial system, ensure the BNC connectors are done properly and twisted at the back of the DVR.
Another thing to consider, checking the cable connecting the recorder to the TV. Most of the time this cable is HDMI (or VGA in older models) and it will show a black screen if it’s faulty or the pins on the connector are broken. Just inspect it to ensure that it works correctly.
In all scenarios, if you’re not sure about the cable’s conditions then you can test the camera out using another (temporary) cable.
Check the PoE switch
This is valid for security cameras that are powered via an external PoE switch. The IP camera gets plugged into the PoE switch using an Ethernet cable and the data and the power is transferred via the same run.
Each IP camera requires a specific amount of power to operate and function efficiently which is called the Maximum Power Consumption (wattage). A good and reliable PoE switch should be able to handle all the cameras plugged into it.
However, that’s not always the case, especially if you’re using an off-brand and cheap PoE switch. Sometimes these PoE switches don’t output the power listed on the spec sheet.
Usually, they transmit less power to the cameras which may cause them to disconnect and show a black screen.
If you’re using an inferior PoE switch and there are many IP cameras in it, then it’s possible that the switch is not able to power up all the cameras at the same time.
Some common symptoms include cameras showing black screen at night time (the cameras draw more power when the IR lights are on); cameras showing black screen randomly and then coming back online; cameras showing black screen every few minutes.
In this scenario, you need to make sure the PoE switch is able to support all the cameras. Unplug all the cameras and plug them in one by one and see if the switch fails at some point. If so, it means you need a better switch. As a rule, buy PoE switches from reputable and well-known brands.
Power Issues
A black screen because of the loss of power is a common reason why security cameras go black. For example, the power adapter is disconnected and the cable that connects the camera to the recorder and monitor becomes loose (or faulty).
First, check the power cables and ensure there’s no damage or any disconnection. In some cases, users forget to plug the camera into any power source. If you’re using battery-powered WiFi cameras, ensure the batteries are not expired (if so, just replace them).
TV does not support the display output
Sometimes the TV and the recorder’s display resolution are not compatible with each other. For example, you got a 1080P, but the recorder outputs 4K, hence no picture can be displayed. Some TV
Make sure that your monitor can support the higher resolution output of your recorder. If your monitor cannot support the higher resolution of your recorder, it will lose the video signal and will turn black.
You can change the resolution of the recorder to match that of the TV, or vice versa. Some TV models (newer ones) are able to auto-detect the resolution and match it automatically.
Faulty camera or firmware issues
It is always recommended to update the firmware of your equipment to ensure that any vulnerabilities and compatibility are fixed. So, make sure the IP cameras, the NVR, or the DVR are up-to-date. If you’re using a smart TV, ensure it’s updated as well.
If you have ruled out all possible causes but still experience the black screen, then maybe the hardware is faulty. It could happen that the camera is burned or broken and can’t get powered up anymore. Sometimes the NVR goes bad as well.
If you think your unit is faulty, then you have to replace it or contact the seller/manufacturer to get a new one (if it’s still under the warranty).
Conclusion
A black screen on the camera’s video feed indicates that the camera is not sending any signal and nothing is getting recorded. It’s an issue that needs to get fixed as soon as possible.
Most of the time, the problem is caused by damaged or loose wires, power issues, incompatibility between the TV and the record, or it’s simply a faulty camera that needs to be replaced. Follow the suggestions listed here and we hope you’ll solve the issue.
If you can’t fix it, contact the seller or the installer. If you’re looking to purchase a new camera system, check out our recommendations.
