Why Doesn’t My Camera Take Photos at Night?

Nighttime Photo Troubleshooting

Low battery voltage, incorrect settings, or an unsuitable installation position may prevent the camera from taking nighttime photos. Please follow the steps below.

Check the Battery Voltage

• Press and hold the UP button.
• Move the power switch from OFF to ON.
• When the screen lights up, release the UP button.
• Check the voltage displayed in the upper-left corner. For example, 10112mV = 10.1V.
• Move the power switch back to OFF to exit test mode.

If the voltage is below 9V, the camera may not work properly at night.

• Replace all batteries with eight new 1.5V AA lithium or alkaline batteries.
• Energizer lithium or Duracell alkaline batteries are recommended.
• Avoid mixing old and new batteries or different battery types.
• Rechargeable 1.2V NiMH batteries are not recommended, as their lower voltage may affect nighttime performance.

Identify the Affected Capture Mode

Scheduled Capture

• Completely cover the camera's light sensor to simulate darkness.
• Wait until the scheduled capture time.
• Check whether the camera takes a photo.

Motion-Triggered Capture

• Select Motion Test from the camera menu.
• Perform the test in a dark room.
• Press OK and wait about one minute.
• Walk or wave your hand in front of the camera.
• If the motion indicator flashes red, the PIR sensor has detected movement correctly.

Reset the Camera and SD Card

If the camera detects movement but still does not take nighttime photos:

• Select Factory Reset from the camera menu.
• Back up any important files on the SD card.
• Select Format SD Card and format the card in the camera.

Check the Camera Settings

For more reliable motion-triggered capture, use the following settings:

Check the Installation Position

The camera's detection performance may be affected by its height and angle.

• Small or nearby targets: Install the camera 0.3–1 meter (1–3.3 ft) above the ground.
• Large or distant targets: Install the camera 1–1.8 meters (3.3–5.9 ft) above the ground.
• Position the camera so the target moves across the detection area rather than directly toward the camera.

Still Need Help?

If the camera still cannot take nighttime photos, please send us:

• A photo of the battery-voltage reading.
• The results of the scheduled or motion-triggered test.
• The camera model and current settings.
• An original nighttime photo or video recently captured by the camera.

Our support team will review the information and assist you further.

If your problem still cannot be solved, please contact us.