Amcrest Camera System Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble with an Amcrest camera system, here are a few troubleshooting tips for getting the system back up:
If your camera system isn't coming on at all, check to make sure that the Amcrest NVR is plugged in and powered on, and that the HDMI port is connected to both the back of the NVR and the back of the monitor. If everything is plugged in, try resetting the NVR by unplugging it for 15 seconds from the power outlet, and then plug it back in. You may also try another item into the outlet (like a lamp) to see if the outlet is getting power, if you think lack of power may be causing the issue.
If the NVR has been intermittent, it may help to factory reset the NVR. To factory reset it, you'll have to access the NVR's main menu. To pull up the main menu, right-click anywhere on the screen, and scroll down to "Main Menu" and left-click on it. You'll have to input your password in order to access the main menu (your password is likely 0000, unless it has been changed). Next, once the main menu has been pulled up, select the "System" icon. Under "System", scroll down to the "Default" tab. After the "Default" tab has been selected, there will be a "Factory Reset" button at the bottom of the page. Select that button, and accept that you want to factory reset the NVR. Once you factory reset the NVR, the automatic password will be "admin". Next, you will have to set a new password (0000) and then confirm the new password. After that, you can breeze through the startup wizard (we don't need to set anything up there). The cameras should automatically repopulate on the screen.
Sometimes, the NVR may need a firmware update to help it work. If you go to the Amcrest firmware site (https://amcrest.com/firmware/), you can find if your model has an update. The model number is located on a sticker on the bottom of the NVR. If your model does need an update, you will have to connect it to your network switch (the Ubiquiti switch) with an ethernet cable, and you will need to connect the NVR to a screen again by the switch. Once the NVR connects to the switch, the firmware update should pop up on the screen. It will likely restart once the update has been applied. Once it is finished, you can take the NVR back to the game master station.
If one or more of the cameras are blank, or are showing the Amcrest Symbol, or are intermittent, please try the following:
Disconnect the camera from the the ethernet cable that runs to the camera in the game room itself. There is a small black plastic port at the end of the black cable leading away from the camera that the ethernet cable plugs into. Disconnect the ethernet cable from the port on the camera cable, wait 15 seconds, and then plug the cable back in. Keep in mind that it can take around 3-5 mins for the camera to reappear.
It may also be handy to check the connections on the 8-Port ethernet wall plate mounted to the wall of the game master room (if you have one). This plate will be mounted flat to the wall and have short ethernet cables running from the plate to the NVR. Sometimes, if a desk is moved too far these cables can become unplugged. Check the connections on the wall plate and the back of the NVR to make sure that the short ethernet cables are firmly and securely plugged in.
If the screen is displaying a message about the IP address, or that the NVR can't find the network host, you'll need to access the NVR's main menu. To pull up the main menu, right-click anywhere on the screen, and scroll down to "Main Menu" and left-click on it. You'll have to input your password in order to access the main menu (your password is likely 0000, unless it has been changed). Next, once the main menu has been pulled up, select the "Camera" icon. This will allow you to access the camera menu and see the status of the camera. A functional camera will have a green dot under the "Status" bar; a non-functional camera will have an orange dot under the "Status" bar. If you click the trash can icon under the "Delete" bar, this will delete the camera from the NVR and it will try and readopt the camera's IP. Once you click on the trash can icon, feel free to unplug the camera from the ethernet cable in the game room, wait 15 seconds, and plug it back in again.
If you have attempted to readopt the camera's IP back to the NVR and it still isn't functional, try and use a spare camera that you have on hand, or a camera from a different room that you know works and plug it into the ethernet cable running to the game room. If the new camera turns on, it is possible that the original camera has gone bad (it will display the Amcrest symbol only if it has gone bad). Try the original camera that wasn't working in place of the camera that was just swapped in to make sure that the camera isn't working before tossing it out.
If you are still having issues, please send an email to inventory@breakoutgames.zendesk.com using the following format:
Subject: City/Location (if a city has two stores, use clear distinction)
Body: Please list what is happening with your current system and any steps you've already taken to try and resolve the issue
