IPC-HFW5231EP-Z12E is responding intermittently

[biocomp]

Hello.

I've had the IPC-HFW5231EP-Z12E for several years now, and it was working well. But after it was powered off last time, I can't connect to it. It does respond time to time (UI sometimes works, BI can sometimes fetch a frame or two), but mostly it doesn't.
I've tried upgrading firmware (which works on another camera of mine of same model), and resetting the camera, but this does not help.

Here's a screenshot of ping responses (right after reset):


Not sure the unbricking procedure is needed here, as it is not really bricked.
Is there a way to save the camera? The hardware is looking so well built, it'd be a waste to throw away.

Thanks!

 

[gwminor48]

Are you able to check the cable connection or plug? I know sometimes it can be a a pain to get to the camera but it's a possibility you could check, or try a different poe port if possible.

 

[Old Timer]

I had a camera do something close to this last week. It ended up being I did not have quite enough
power to the camera to get it booted all the way. It would come up, then down and reboot.
I ended up replacing both cable ends, then swapped POE switch from a no name to a TP link I had.
This let the camera boot all the way and it's back on line.
I guess everything was running right on the edge.

 

[looney2ns]

This is typically a cable issue.
A-Cable used was Copper Clad Aluminum, not Solid Copper cable it should be.
B-Cable was not of sufficient size, IE AWG 24 or bigger.
C-Cable is longer than the spec of a max of 330ft.
D-Rj45s not properly crimped nor waterproofed.
WaterProofing Connections

 

[biocomp]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
Sorry, I forgot to mention that I took the camera down, and have tried it with two different POE switches and different (very short) wires, and also visually inspected the RJ45 connector for not having moisture/rust there. And the same switch and wires do work with another camera of the same model and firmware.

 

[biocomp]

But let me see if I can still try to cleanup the camera's RJ45 connector, as it makes sense that it could be the issue.

 

[biocomp]

Well, that did not help. I've also tried using a separate 12v power input into the camera, and not use POE, but got the same results - intermittent responses. Any other advice?

 

[The Automation Guy]

Here's a screenshot of ping responses (right after reset):
View attachment 141469

192.168.1.108 is the default Dahua ip address that it sets at the factory for ALL Dahua cameras. Either the camera was never changed from this setting or camera has reset itself back to this static address (if you "reset" the camera or perhaps during the firmware update). You will likely need to go into the camera's GUI and change it to a dynamic address so that it can get a ip address assigned to it by the network's router. If you haven't changed this and have more than one Dahua camera on your network, they have an IP address conflict because multiple devices are trying to use the same IP address.

 

[biocomp]

192.168.1.108 is the default Dahua ip address that it sets at the factory for ALL Dahua cameras. Either the camera was never changed from this setting or camera has reset itself back to this static address (if you "reset" the camera or perhaps during the firmware update). You will likely need to go into the camera's GUI and change it to a dynamic address so that it can get a ip address assigned to it by the network's router. If you haven't changed this and have more than one Dahua camera on your network, they have an IP address conflict because multiple devices are trying to use the same IP address.

Thanks, but that's not it. The only devices on this network are my computer (disconnected from the other networks, and having a different IP itself) and the camera. If I replace this camera with another reset working camera, pings work fine. And this broken camera did have another IP before resetting, and still was having the same issue.

 

[tigerwillow1]

I've had a couple of cameras go intermittent after a few years, one of them with easily reproducible temperature sensitivity. Having an annual temp swing from -20 to +110 probably doesn't help much. I hope you find a fixable cause, but sometimes stuff just dies.

 

[biocomp]

And I'm guessing there's no way to buy a replacement control board for the camera?

 

[looney2ns]

Doubt it, if your game, you might take the camera apart and unplug every single cable inside and use something like Deoxit on the connections, then reassemble. Might help, or it might not.

 

[biocomp]

Doubt it, if your game, you might take the camera apart and unplug every single cable inside and use something like Deoxit on the connections, then reassemble. Might help, or it might not.

Thanks, I've done that as well. Not all of the wires, but most of them, and without Deoxit, but the camera is really dry inside. It even has desiccant bags in it.

 

[The Automation Guy]

Given what you have told us and what you have tried to correct the issue, it certainly seems like a camera hardware issue.

 

[gwminor48]

Sounds like you have tried everything but a hammer.

 

[biocomp]

All right, I guess that's it then, will have to replace the camera. That's a pity. Thanks everyone.