Every fault below comes from real call-outs across Durban and surrounding areas. Some have a quick check you can try yourself before booking anyone — where that's true, we say so. When a visit is needed, the diagnosis is done with a signal meter, quoted before work starts, and covered by our 12-month workmanship warranty. New to this part? Start with the nvr (network video recorder) component guide.
1. NVR not detecting cameras
What you'll see: One or more IP cameras never appear in the channel list, or appear and vanish.
Why it happens: IP address conflicts or wrong subnets, camera passwords out of sync with the NVR, incompatible protocols between mixed brands, or a bad patch lead.
How we fix it: We put cameras and NVR on a clean, documented addressing plan, align credentials, use ONVIF correctly for mixed-brand systems, and prove each channel stable — not just momentarily visible.
2. PoE port not powering camera
What you'll see: A camera is dead on one NVR port but works on another; or several cameras drop when one more is added.
Why it happens: A failed PoE port, exceeded total PoE power budget, or a cable run too long or too poorly terminated to deliver power.
How we fix it: We measure per-port power and the total budget, re-terminate or shorten failing runs, and where the NVR's budget is genuinely exceeded, add a proper PoE switch rather than overloading the recorder.
3. NVR won't boot or boot-loops
What you'll see: The recorder restarts endlessly, freezes at the logo, or powers off at random.
Why it happens: Corrupted firmware after a power cut, a failing PSU, an overheating unit in a closed cabinet, or a shorted drive.
How we fix it: We isolate the failed element, re-flash or replace, and fix the environment — ventilation and a small UPS — so the next load-shedding cycle does not repeat the damage.
4. Lost administrator password
What you'll see: The NVR runs, but admin access is locked and nobody holds the credentials.
Why it happens: Unrecorded installer passwords, staff changes, or defaults changed and forgotten.
How we fix it: Official manufacturer reset with proof of ownership, then a proper credential handover — including the camera passwords, which are frequently different from the recorder's.
5. Recording has stopped
What you'll see: Cameras stream live but playback has gaps or ends weeks ago.
Why it happens: Drive failure, misconfigured schedules or motion detection, or an overwrite/retention policy nobody chose deliberately.
How we fix it: Drive health test, schedule and detection audit, then retention configured to a number of days you sign off on — with recording alarms enabled for the future.
Symptom doesn't match any of these?
Faults overlap — a "nvr (network video recorder) problem" is sometimes another link in the chain wearing a disguise. Describe what your system is doing on 069 423 8290 (or WhatsApp a photo of the error screen) and we'll tell you which component it actually sounds like, free, before anything is booked.