Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro Not Connecting or Recording

Common Causes

• The PoE switch or injector is not providing power to the camera
• The Ethernet cable is damaged, too long, or has a loose connection
• The camera has lost its network configuration after a firmware update or power outage
• The MicroSD card is full or corrupted, preventing recording
• Night vision or motion detection settings are misconfigured
• HomeKit Secure Video or cloud recording is not properly configured
• The camera's Zigbee hub function has disconnected from child devices

Fix 1: Verify PoE Power Delivery

1. Check the PoE switch or PoE injector to confirm it is powered on and the port connected to the camera shows an active link (usually indicated by a green or amber LED on the switch port).
2. If using a PoE injector, confirm the "Data In" port connects to your router/switch and the "PoE" port connects to the camera.
3. Try connecting the camera to a different PoE port on the switch to rule out a dead port.
4. Verify the PoE switch supports IEEE 802.3af (15.4W). Some older or budget switches may not deliver enough power.
5. If the camera's indicator light does not turn on at all, the camera is not receiving power. Check the Ethernet cable next.

Fix 2: Inspect the Ethernet Cable

1. Check both ends of the Ethernet cable for loose connections. Reseat the cable firmly at both the camera and the switch.
2. Inspect the cable for physical damage — cuts, kinks, or crushed sections. Damaged cables can cause intermittent connections or complete failure.
3. If the cable run is longer than 100 meters (328 feet), it exceeds the Ethernet specification and will not work reliably. Shorten the run or add a PoE-compatible Ethernet switch as a midpoint.
4. Try a different Ethernet cable. Use Cat5e or Cat6 for reliable PoE delivery.
5. For outdoor cable runs, ensure you are using outdoor-rated or UV-resistant cable, and that connections are protected with weatherproof enclosures.

Fix 3: Restart the Camera

1. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the camera for 15 seconds, then reconnect it.
2. Wait 1 to 2 minutes for the camera to boot up fully. The indicator light will cycle through startup colors before settling on a steady state.
3. Open the Aqara Home app and check if the camera appears online.
4. Try viewing the live feed. If the feed loads, the issue was a temporary software glitch resolved by the restart.

Fix 4: Fix Recording Issues

If the camera is online and streaming live video but not recording events:

1. Check the MicroSD card — open the camera settings in the app and verify the card is detected and has available space.
2. If the card is full, enable loop recording so the camera automatically overwrites the oldest footage, or format the card through the app.
3. If the card is not detected, remove it from the camera, inspect it for physical damage, and reinsert it. If the problem persists, try a different MicroSD card (up to 512 GB supported).
4. For HomeKit Secure Video users, verify your iCloud+ plan has enough storage. HomeKit Secure Video requires at least a 50 GB iCloud+ plan and a home hub (HomePod or Apple TV).
5. Check the recording mode in the camera settings — make sure it is set to the option you want (continuous, event-only, or scheduled).

Fix 5: Fix Motion Detection

If the camera is not sending motion alerts:

1. Open the camera settings and verify motion detection is enabled.
2. Check the detection sensitivity. If it is set too low, the camera may not trigger on distant or subtle motion. Increase the sensitivity.
3. Review the activity zones. If zones are drawn too small or in the wrong areas, motion outside those zones will be ignored.
4. Verify that notifications are enabled both in the Aqara Home app and in your phone's notification settings.
5. Enable AI detection features (people, pets, vehicles, packages) for smarter filtering and fewer false alarms.

Fix 6: Reconnect Zigbee Child Devices

The Camera Hub G5 Pro serves as a Zigbee 3.0 hub. If sensors paired to the camera hub have gone offline:

1. Restart the camera (disconnect and reconnect the Ethernet cable). Zigbee child devices should reconnect automatically within a few minutes.
2. If specific devices remain offline, re-pair them by removing them from the app and adding them again through the camera hub's child device settings.
3. Ensure the child devices are within Zigbee range of the camera. Powered Zigbee devices can act as repeaters in the mesh.

Fix 7: Re-Add the Camera

If the camera remains offline after all other troubleshooting:

1. Remove the camera from the Aqara Home app (Settings > Remove Device).
2. Factory reset the camera by pressing and holding the reset button (usually a small pinhole on the camera body) for 10 seconds with a paperclip.
3. Add it again through the app. The camera should be detected on the local network via the Ethernet connection.
4. Reconfigure all settings including recording, motion detection, activity zones, and Zigbee child devices.

When to Contact Support

If the camera does not power on at all with a confirmed working PoE source and cable, or if the camera produces no video (black screen) despite being connected and online, the hardware may be defective. Contact Aqara Support for warranty service.