Why Your Security Camera Keeps Randomly Disconnecting

I live on a rural lane with a community mailbox at the entrance, and because of frequent thefts, the community decided to set up a security camera to watch over it. Recurring incidents of the security camera disconnecting made it unreliable, unfortunately, so after about a year, the community decided to take it down. The disconnects happened because cell coverage around the mailboxes is spotty, and the camera kept losing the signal it needed to operate.

According to security expert Mike Halbouni, we could have rectified the problem by installing a hardwired camera, but that wasn’t an option in this location because there was no power outlet available. Besides, despite being the most reliable type of security systems, even hardwired ones disconnect from time to time. Here, Halbouni and other security experts discuss the causes for a security camera disconnecting and offer solutions to restore surveillance protection.

Methods to Connect Security Cameras

A security camera disconnecting usually means an interruption in the connection to the storage media. That’s problematic because a security camera is only as effective as its ability to record footage for playback. Halbouni cites four storage methods:

• Wi-Fi: The camera connects to the internet via a Wi-Fi signal and stores footage on an app.
• Cellular: “Cellular cameras rely on mobile phone networks,” explains Halbouni. “Signal strength, data limits, or carrier outages can affect reliability. They’re used mostly in remote applications where direct wiring is not available.”
• Wired Ethernet (PoE): Cameras with wired connections, otherwise known as Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), use a direct wired connection for both power and data. Also known as a closed-circuit TV (CCTV) system, each camera is wired to a central recorder and to power via coaxial cable. “This is the traditional structure of professional security camera systems,” says long-time security professional Justin Clarke, and it’s a separate category from IP (network) systems that rely on Wi-Fi or cellular signals.
• Internal storage: Some battery-and solar-powered cameras store data on an internal MicroSD card or an edge box, which is a dedicated recorder placed in the home. This is a bare-bones option that allows users to skip paying for a subscription to a cloud-based storage service.

“Home security cameras that disconnect typically are Wi-Fi based,” advises certified security expert Kevin Chen. “They suffer from a multitude of factors that interfere with the connection and cause them to disconnect.” If you’re experiencing frequent disconnections of your security camera, here are some possible reasons.

Dropped Wi-Fi Signal

In our house, this happens all the time, and because it’s an issue with the provider, there’s little we can do about it. Once the signal is restored, connectivity is re-established quickly, but if the signal were to drop during a security event, there would be no record of it.

Our suggested fix:

One way to avoid losing coverage, according to Chen, would be to use a camera that incorporates a MicroSD card, allowing the camera to “continue to record without a Wi-Fi connection.” Another option would be to install a hybrid system that uses both Wi-Fi and cellular signals. “A cellular alarm system paired with Wi-Fi is the most fail-safe option,” says IT specialist Mike Coogan. “That way, if the internet fails, cellular monitoring can take over automatically and keep your home connected and protected.”

• Pro tip: When setting up your camera, ensure it’s compatible with the Wi-Fi network. For example, if your network operates at 5 GHz, the camera won’t work if it’s set at 2.5 GHz. You have to change the camera setting to 5 GHz.

Dropped Cellular Signal

Cameras that use a cellular signal are generally more reliable than those that use Wi-Fi; however, if you have spotty cell service (as we do in our mountain community), your camera’s connectivity depends on the vagaries of the cell system.

Our suggested fix:

You’re most likely to need a cell signal if you install a camera outdoors in a remote location. If you have a weak cell signal, choosing a hybrid system that includes an internal storage method, such as a MicroSD card or a hardwired recorder, is the best way to ensure uninterrupted coverage.

Outdated Firmware

If you’ve had your camera for a long time, it may need a software update. Without this, it can experience glitches, causing periodic disconnections from the modem.

Our suggested fix:

Look up the model for your camera on the manufacturer’s website. If there’s a software update available, download it and transfer it to the camera using the app on your laptop or mobile device.

Signal Blockage or Interference

If you have a Wi-Fi-based system, the router’s position can affect connectivity. According to Chen, factors that can cause dropped signals include “interference from the materials of the house (usually in outdoor cameras that are mounted against brick, stone, or metal exteriors), and interference from neighbors’ Wi-Fi.” In a smart home setup, other appliances and devices connected to the router can interfere with the camera signal.

Our suggested fix:

To mitigate this problem, keep your router several feet away from connected appliances and in a central location in the house to improve signal distribution.

Power Loss

When the power goes down, the camera won’t send data to the recorder, and depending on how it receives power, it may not function at all. This can happen during a utility outage, but it might also happen because of loose connections or faulty wires.

Our suggested fix:

“If your system is hardwired,” says Clarke, “inspect the cables, connectors, and power source. If the camera uses Wi-Fi, you’ll need to consider Wi-Fi connectivity issues instead of wiring-related signal loss—but power remains a common cause either way.”

Failing to Change Batteries

“Battery-powered cameras often disconnect when battery levels are low,” advises Halbouni, and they experience diminished performance in cold weather. If you have a battery-powered camera, be sure to charge and maintain its battery levels to ensure optimal video streaming quality.

Our suggested fix:

If your camera doesn’t have a low-battery indicator, look up the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. It should tell you how often to change batteries.

Hacking

While not technically an instance of a security camera disconnecting, hacking has become a serious problem that has arisen in recent years, affecting systems with cloud-based storage. “Devices that connect to the internet have a constant flow of sensitive data, but often don’t get the same security protection as, say, a laptop,” according to Aimee Simpson, who manages an anti-hacking website. “Just recently, at the end of November, the BBC released a report on how over 120,000 home cameras in South Korea were hacked. All of that footage ended up on a private website, with hours of videos from inside family homes, businesses, and more instantly becoming public domain.”

Our suggested fix:

To prevent your security data from being compromised, Simpson suggests changing the default settings on your camera. “Make sure to go into your camera settings and look for the ability to place passwords on your admin accounts, change default log-in settings, and restrict who can access the cameras.”

FAQ

Can my security camera still work without a Wi-Fi connection?

It depends on the system. One that works exclusively with Wi-Fi won’t function if you lose the Wi-Fi signal, but a hybrid system that works with Wi-Fi and cellular or a wired connection will continue to operate. According to Halbouni: “Many professional security cameras (like Uniview) work without Wi-Fi. Wired PoE camera systems record locally to an NVR (network video recorder), even if the internet goes down. And if the internet goes down, because of the local storage, video footage is still stored and available to the customer for viewing and will be made available once internet connection is re-established.”

What is the most secure and consistent method to connect a security camera?

Wi-Fi and cellular systems depend on a signal that could potentially be lost, so most of the experts I interviewed agreed with David Ly, CEO of a leading cloud surveillance company, who said: “For the most secure and consistent setup, an old-school hardwired connection remains the gold standard; it eliminates wireless vulnerabilities, providing stable signals that can’t be intercepted. Combining hardwired connections with local storage delivers maximum reliability and privacy, helping maintain complete control over your data.”

About the Experts

• Mike Halbouni has over 25 years of experience in the security industry and more than a decade in telecommunications. He is the founder of PoyntGuard, a business that sells and installs security surveillance equipment.
• Justin Clarke is an entrepreneur with a focus on Pro Video Security and related fields. He works with A2Z Security Cameras.
• Kevin Chen is a Certified Protection Professional with a background in IT and Business Strategy consulting. He works with Connextivity, a physical security and IT company.
• Mike Coogan is the Vice President of IT Services and Chief Information Security Officer at Brinks Home
• Aimee Simpson is the Director of Product Marketing at Huntress, where she oversees its Managed ITDR and Managed SAT solutions.
• David Ly has over 20 years of experience in wireless data, cellular, IT, and cloud video surveillance. He is the leader and founder of Iveda and has served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors since the Company’s inception.

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