How to Troubleshoot a Trail Camera
Mar 16, 2025
KJK
Do you have trail camera problems? Let's see if we can help with this quick guide!
There are more, but these are the most common problems we run into when troubleshooting trail cameras:
- Batteries
- SD Cards
- LCD display going out
- Black night photos
- Sd card error messages
- Cameras taking photos continuously with nothing in the camera (aka "runaway cameras")
So what is the solution? There may not be one, but here are the three things you should immediately do for any problem.
- Formatthe SD Card in your computer. Many times, SD cards can lock up causing problems with the camera. Deep Formatting the card erases all data from the card. To format a card: place the card in your PC computer, go to "My Computer," right click on the folder the sd card is under, select "Format," uncheck the quick format box and then hit "start."
- Check to make sure the batteries are in the camera properly.
- If they are, replace the batteries (or test them with a ZTS Battery Tester if you have one) with new batteries.
If you have attempted these steps and the camera still does not work, then the camera maybe defective. There are two ways to deal with a defective camera that is still under warranty.
If you purchased from us...
We hope that you have purchased the camera from us and if so, you may still be under our 90 Day Return Policy or 2 Year Exclusive Warranty. If you are, click the link and fill out the return form and we will quickly get you taken care of.
If you purchased your camera elsewhere...
You should immediately contact the company/store you purchased from and see if they have a return policy you can use. If having a free 2-year warranty in the future seems beneficial to you, bookmark our trail cameras for sale page for the next time you are ready to purchase a game camera. We guarantee your satisfaction and you will have complete access to a team of trail camera experts.
If you purchased from us...
We hope that you have purchased the camera from us and if so, you may still be under our 90 Day Return Policy or 2 Year Exclusive Warranty. If you are, click the link and fill out the return form and we will quickly get you taken care of.
If you purchased your camera elsewhere...
You should immediately contact the company/store you purchased from and see if they have a return policy you can use. If having a free 2-year warranty in the future seems beneficial to you, bookmark our trail cameras for sale page for the next time you are ready to purchase a game camera. We guarantee your satisfaction and you will have complete access to a team of trail camera experts.
Trail Camera Warranties
Manufacturer warranties are pretty standard, most companies have a one year warranty against defect, HCO has a 2 year and Reconyx offers a 5 Year Warranty.What happens to your camera when sent back?
Overseas made cameras
The majority of trail cameras are made overseas. Of these cameras, the manufacturers are unable to repair or modify the cameras. If it is under warranty, they simply replace the camera with a new one. Once the warranty on the camera is over, there is nothing that can be done to fix it. Usually, it ends up in a landfill.