PoE Switch Has Power but IP Camera Still Offline – How to Troubleshoot with FNIRSI LPM-10A Malaysia
PoE Switch Has Power but IP Camera Still Offline – How to Troubleshoot with FNIRSI LPM-10A Malaysia
The PoE switch is powered on.
Other cameras are working.
But one IP camera is still offline.
Does this mean the camera is faulty?
Not necessarily.
A powered PoE switch does not automatically mean that every port, cable and camera connection is working correctly.
For CCTV installers and network technicians in Malaysia, the FNIRSI LPM-10A Network Cable Tester can help investigate the physical network connection before replacing equipment.
PoE Switch On Does Not Mean Every Camera Has PoE
This is an important distinction.
You may see the PoE switch operating normally.
Its power indicator is on.
Several cameras may also be online.
But the affected camera may still have a problem with:
Individual switch port
RJ45 connector
Ethernet cable
Patch-panel connection
PoE delivery
Camera connection
Network configuration
Camera itself
Therefore, troubleshoot the affected connection individually.
Step 1: Check How Many Cameras Are Offline
Before using any tester, look at the pattern of the fault.
Suppose a 16-camera system has:
15 cameras online
1 camera offline
This points you toward the individual camera connection.
Now suppose:
All 16 cameras are offline.
That suggests investigating shared equipment first, such as the PoE switch, power supply, uplink or network infrastructure.
The number of affected devices can tell you where to start.
Step 2: Inspect the Offline Camera Connection
Go to the affected camera if accessible.
Check the Ethernet connection.
Look for:
Loose RJ45 connector
Damaged connector
Corrosion
Water ingress
Damaged cable
Poor outdoor waterproofing
Crushed or sharply bent cable
For outdoor CCTV installations in Malaysia, moisture should receive particular attention.
Rain and humidity can cause problems around poorly protected connectors and junction boxes.
Step 3: Check PoE at the Connection
If the camera requires PoE, verify the PoE condition as part of the troubleshooting process.
The FNIRSI LPM-10A includes PoE detection capability, allowing technicians to inspect PoE information on the network connection.
This helps answer:
“Is the expected PoE supply reaching this connection?”
If the expected PoE is not present, do not immediately replace the camera.
Continue investigating upstream.
Step 4: Test the Ethernet Cable
The next question is:
Is the cable itself correctly connected?
Use the network cable testing functions to inspect the Ethernet cable and termination.
A cable problem can be caused by:
Poor RJ45 termination
Open conductor
Incorrect wiring
Damaged cable
Connector failure
Intermediate connection problem
The cable may look completely normal from outside.
That does not prove that its internal connections are good.
Step 5: Trace the Camera Cable
In the CCTV cabinet, you may find dozens of Ethernet cables.
If the installation is poorly labelled, identifying the correct camera cable can become difficult.
The cable tracing function of the FNIRSI LPM-10A can help locate the corresponding cable.
This is particularly useful when servicing an installation completed by another contractor.
Do not assume that an old cable label is correct.
Trace and verify.
Step 6: Identify the PoE Switch Port
After identifying the cable, locate its corresponding switch port.
The port flashing function can assist technicians in finding the associated network switch port.
Now inspect that specific port.
Compare it with working ports.
Look at:
Link indication
Connection status
PoE condition
Physical connector
Switch configuration where applicable
This narrows the troubleshooting area considerably.
Step 7: Try a Known-Good Cable
A simple comparison test can be extremely useful.
If practical, take the suspected camera and connect it near the PoE switch using a short known-good Ethernet cable.
Then observe the result.
Camera Works
If the camera works normally using the short known-good cable, investigate the original installed cable and its connections.
Camera Still Does Not Work
If the same camera remains offline under a known-good test arrangement, the investigation should move toward the camera, configuration or other system factors.
This comparison can prevent unnecessary cable replacement or camera replacement.
Camera Works Beside Switch but Not at Original Location
This is an important troubleshooting clue.
Suppose:
Camera + short cable + PoE switch = Working
But:
Camera + original installed cable + same PoE switch = Offline
Now the permanent cable path deserves much more attention.
Investigate:
RJ45 connectors
Cable termination
Cable condition
Intermediate joints
Patch-panel connections
Cable length
Installation environment
The problem is no longer simply:
“Is the camera faulty?”
You have isolated the fault much more effectively.
Check the Cable Length
The FNIRSI LPM-10A also provides cable length measurement.
This can be useful when the IP camera is installed far from the PoE switch.
Examples include cameras at:
Guard houses
Car parks
Factory entrances
Warehouse corners
Loading bays
Building perimeters
Remote corridors
Knowing the approximate installed cable length gives technicians another useful piece of troubleshooting information.
What If PoE Is Detected but the Camera Is Still Offline?
This is where technicians should avoid jumping to conclusions.
Detecting PoE does not automatically prove:
The camera is good
or
The complete network connection is good
You may still need to investigate:
Ethernet cable condition
RJ45 termination
Switch port
Network communication
IP address
VLAN
NVR configuration
Camera configuration
Camera hardware
The PoE test answers one part of the problem.
It does not answer every question.
What If the Camera Powers Up but There Is No Video?
This is another common situation.
The camera may show signs of receiving power.
For example, IR LEDs may operate at night.
But the NVR still shows the camera offline.
Now the problem may be related more to network communication or configuration than basic power delivery.
Check the physical network connection first.
Then investigate:
IP address
Network range
Camera login
NVR configuration
Switch configuration
Network conflicts
Camera communication
A network cable tester helps investigate the physical layer, but configuration issues may require additional network tools or software.
Don't Confuse Power with Data
This is one of the most useful principles in PoE troubleshooting.
PoE Ethernet cabling is carrying two important functions:
Power
and
Data
A camera receiving power does not necessarily mean that data communication is functioning normally.
Likewise, troubleshooting should not stop simply because the camera's power indicator or IR LEDs are operating.
Check the network connection as well.
Example: Warehouse Camera Offline
Consider a warehouse with 24 IP cameras.
Camera 21, located near the loading bay, suddenly goes offline.
All other cameras remain normal.
A systematic approach could be:
1. Inspect Camera 21 and its connector
↓
2. Check the Ethernet cable
↓
3. Check PoE
↓
4. Trace the cable back to the cabinet
↓
5. Identify the switch port
↓
6. Compare with a known-good connection
↓
7. Investigate network configuration or the camera if necessary
This is much more efficient than replacing components randomly.
FNIRSI LPM-10A for PoE Troubleshooting
The advantage of the FNIRSI LPM-10A is that several stages of network troubleshooting can be handled with one instrument.
Depending on the problem, technicians can use it for:
Cable testing
Cable tracing
Cable length measurement
PoE detection
Switch-port identification
Network-related checking
For CCTV installers, this makes it useful when troubleshooting IP camera connections.
Is FNIRSI LPM-10A Enough for Every CCTV Problem?
No.
This is important when selecting a tester.
The LPM-10A is primarily useful for network cabling and related troubleshooting.
Some CCTV jobs may require a more specialized CCTV tester for functions beyond network cable diagnosis.
Likewise, network configuration problems may require a computer, software or other network diagnostic equipment.
The right tool depends on the problem you are trying to solve.
FNIRSI LPM-10A Network Cable Tester Malaysia
If your PoE switch is working but one IP camera remains offline, do not immediately replace the camera.
Start by isolating the problem systematically:
PoE → Cable → Connector → Switch Port → Network → Camera
The FNIRSI LPM-10A provides several useful functions for this type of field troubleshooting.
For FNIRSI LPM-10A availability, technical enquiries or help selecting a suitable network testing instrument, contact MTM Precision Sdn Bhd.
MTM Precision Sdn Bhd
Showroom & Service Centre:
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: 03-8080 7172
WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
If you are troubleshooting an IP CCTV system, you may WhatsApp us a photo of the PoE switch, network cabinet, camera connection or RJ45 cable and explain the problem.
Supply and enquiries throughout Malaysia, including Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Sabah and Sarawak.
06 Oct 2026
