PlateAlert Troubleshooting Guide

 

1. Camera Not Sending Alerts

Symptoms:

• No SMS or push notifications received.

• No new images in the app.

Steps to Resolve:

• Check Power Status:

  • Ensure the camera's battery is charged. The indicator light will be red if the device cannot start due to low power.

• Verify Network Connection:

  • Confirm that the camera has a stable 4G connection. 

• Inspect SIM Card:

  • Ensure the SIM card is properly inserted and recognized by the device.

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2. Unable to Access Camera via Wi-Fi

Symptoms:

• Cannot connect to the camera's Wi-Fi network.

• Cannot access the camera's web interface.

Steps to Resolve:

• Enable Wi-Fi:

  • Press the Wi-Fi button on the camera to enable its Wi-Fi hotspot.

• Connect to Wi-Fi:

  • On your mobile device or laptop, connect to the camera's Wi-Fi network, named SC211_xxxxxx (where xxxxxx is the last six characters of the MAC address).

• Access Web Interface:

  • Open a web browser and navigate to http://192.168.1.1.

  • Login using the default credentials.  Contact support@farmalert.net for these credentials.

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3. Camera Not Charging via Solar Panel

Symptoms:

• Battery level remains low despite sunlight exposure.

Steps to Resolve:

• Check Solar Panel Connections:

  • Ensure that the positive terminal of the solar panel is connected to the negative terminal of the solar panel cable, and vice versa.

• Inspect Solar Panel Placement:

  • Verify that the solar panel is positioned to receive maximum sunlight without obstructions, or bird droppings.

• Alternative Charging:

  • If solar fails, use the USB Type-C port to charge the camera's battery.
     

4. Snapshot Links Show "Expired Token"

Symptoms:

• Clicking on snapshot links results in an "Expired Token" message.

Steps to Resolve:

• Understand Token Expiry:

  • Snapshot links are time-sensitive and expire after a certain period for security reasons. 
     

5. Camera Not Responding to Wake-Up Commands

Symptoms:

• Camera does not wake up when prompted via app or phone call.

Steps to Resolve:

• Check Wake-Up Methods:

  • Contact support@farmalert.net

• Verify Power Status:

  • Confirm that the camera's battery is not critically low.

• Inspect Network Settings:

  • Ensure that the camera has a stable network connection to receive wake-up commands.

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6. Image Quality Issues

Symptoms:

• Captured images are blurry or have poor lighting.

Steps to Resolve:

• Adjust Image Settings:

  • Access the camera's web interface and navigate to the Image Configuration section.

  • Adjust parameters such as brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness.

• Check Lens and Environment:

  • Ensure the camera lens is clean and free from obstructions.

  • Verify that the camera is not facing direct sunlight or reflective surfaces that may affect image quality.

 

7. Camera Not Detecting Vehicles

Symptoms:

• No snapshots are captured when vehicles pass by.

Steps to Resolve:

• Verify Detection Settings:

  • Ensure that the detection mode is set to "Region Detection" and that the detection region is properly configured.

  • Adjust the trigger sensitivity to an appropriate level (1–10).

• Check Installation Angle:

  • Confirm that the camera is installed at the recommended angle (15–25 degrees) for optimal detection.

• Check the camera has not moved.  Run the Snapshot utility and contact support@farmalert.net