Back to TopUniFi Video - Recovering an Inaccessible Camera
Overview
In the event you need to perform a reset or a recovery, the camera can be restored by following this guide.
Table of Contents
Introduction
TFTP Recovery is useful for cameras that become unmanageable: they might turn on but have no WebUI access or simply unresponsive. TFTP Recovery is a last resort type of troubleshooting: attempt this when the usual troubleshooting didn't fix the issue. The device must be able to turn on for this method to work. Some basic configuration on the computer will be needed and inputting commands via CLI.
For UVC-G2 Cameras - TFTP Recovery
1. Locate the correct firmware file on disk.
2. Copy that firmware file to your current users home directory, using the path found in step 1:
cp /path/to/firmware.bin ~/
3. Unplug the PoE cable from the camera.
4. Configure the computer to use a static IP/netmask on 192.168.1.254/255.255.255.0 subnet.
5. Start a ping to 192.168.1.20.
6. Press and hold the Reset button, then power on the camera.
7. Wait at least 10 seconds (until both LEDs flash once) or until a ping response from 192.168.1.20 resumes.
8. Release the Reset button to keep this unit in TFTP mode.
9. Upload the firmware file using the tftp command.
tftp 192.168.1.20; bin; put ~/firmware.bin
This command may need to change depending on your Operating system. This will work in macOS and most Linux OS's but your operating system may make use of other methods.
9. After the new firmware bin file is uploaded to the camera, the device will automatically reboot, update the firmware, and reset the unit to factory defaults.
For UVC-G3 Cameras and G4 - POR Recovery
For UVC-Gen3 cameras, the recovery process does not make use of TFTP, and is therefore much simpler. If this process is not successful on your G3/G4 cameras, please try the steps above for G2 models.
1. Unplug the PoE cable from the camera.
2. Press and hold the Reset button, then power on the camera.
3. Wait at least 10 seconds, or until you see the LED's flash rapidly, 3 times.
4. Release the Reset button.
5. The device will now automatically reboot to an older firmware.
6. To update to more recent firmware. Go to our Downloads page, find your specific camera model using the left hand menu, and copy the .bin file link of the firmware. Use that link to upload it via the webUI of the camera, in System Settings. Alternatively, you may adopt the camera to your NVR to perform upgrade via the NVR-hosted UniFi Video user interface.
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