USW Pro Max 16 PoE Update: Camera Issues?

Hey everyone, let's dive into a frustrating situation many of us have likely faced: a firmware update gone wrong. Specifically, we're looking at the USW Pro Max 16 PoE switch from Ubiquiti and how its update to version 7.2.120 might be causing some headaches, especially if you have wired Ubiquiti cameras connected. If you're experiencing issues with your cameras after this update, then you're in the right place. We'll explore potential causes, solutions, and how to troubleshoot this annoying problem. This issue often manifests as cameras acting up, with intermittent connectivity, poor image quality, or complete failure to connect to the network.

Initial Symptoms and Troubleshooting Steps

So, you've updated your USW Pro Max 16 PoE to firmware 7.2.120, and now your Ubiquiti wired cameras are giving you trouble. What do you do? Don't panic! The first step is to systematically investigate the issue. Begin by verifying the symptoms. Are all your cameras affected, or just some? Are they completely offline, or are you experiencing intermittent issues like dropped frames or delayed video feeds? This detailed observation will help narrow down the cause and guide your troubleshooting efforts. Next, check the basics. Are all the camera connections secure? Ensure that the Ethernet cables are firmly plugged into both the cameras and the switch. Sometimes, a loose connection is all it takes to cause a problem. Try rebooting both the switch and the affected cameras. Often, a simple reboot can resolve temporary software glitches. Power cycling the devices can clear out any cached data or temporary configurations that might be causing the issues.

When troubleshooting, it's a good practice to document everything you do. Write down each step, including the results. This documentation can be invaluable if you need to revert to a previous configuration or seek assistance from Ubiquiti support. If the reboot doesn't work, check the Ubiquiti Network application for any error messages or unusual events related to your cameras. The logs may provide clues about the source of the problem, such as PoE power issues, network connectivity problems, or configuration errors. Go through the switch's settings. Are there any PoE power limitations or port profiles that might be affecting the cameras? Make sure the PoE settings are correctly configured for each camera, providing enough power and allowing the necessary network traffic. Check the port profiles assigned to the ports connected to your cameras. Make sure they are set to the correct VLANs and have appropriate settings for network access. Consider if you have made any recent changes to your network configuration before the update. Did you add any new devices, change the network's IP addressing scheme, or adjust VLAN settings? Any of these changes can sometimes lead to unexpected issues with the cameras, especially after a firmware update. If the problem started after the update, it's highly probable that the firmware update is the root cause, but ruling out other potential causes is always recommended before reverting the firmware.

Delving Deeper: Potential Causes and Solutions

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of why this might be happening. The firmware update, while intended to improve performance and add features, can sometimes introduce compatibility issues with specific hardware or configurations. Firmware 7.2.120 could have changed some of the underlying network protocols or power management functions in a way that isn't compatible with your existing camera setup. PoE power delivery is a primary suspect, because Ubiquiti cameras are powered by the PoE ports on your switch. It’s possible that the new firmware has altered the PoE power settings, leading to insufficient power to the cameras. This can cause them to malfunction or disconnect. Confirm that the PoE power budget of the switch is sufficient for all the cameras connected. You can find this information in the switch's configuration interface. Ensure that the power mode for each port is set correctly, and that the cameras aren't drawing more power than the switch can provide.

Network configuration changes could also be a factor. The new firmware could have modified how the switch handles network traffic, potentially impacting the camera's ability to communicate with the network. Check your VLAN settings, ensuring that the cameras are on the correct VLAN and can communicate with other devices on the network, such as the Unifi Protect NVR or your viewing devices. Make sure that there are no firewall rules blocking traffic to or from the cameras. The update could have unintentionally changed the switch's firewall rules, preventing the cameras from accessing the necessary network resources.

Another possible cause is compatibility issues with the camera models. Although Ubiquiti strives to ensure compatibility across its product line, sometimes updates introduce issues that only affect certain models. Check the Ubiquiti community forums and support pages to see if other users with the same camera models are experiencing similar problems after the update. If there's a known compatibility issue, the Ubiquiti support team might be aware of it and have provided a solution, such as a workaround or a future firmware update.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Solutions

If the initial steps don't fix the problem, it's time to move to more advanced troubleshooting techniques. Analyzing the switch logs is one of the most important. These logs can provide more detailed information about the errors the switch is experiencing, including PoE power problems, network connection issues, or other configuration problems. Examine the logs for any error messages related to the cameras or the ports they're connected to. If the logs show recurring problems, it could indicate a hardware issue, or a configuration problem.

If the logs don't provide clear answers, consider resetting the cameras to their factory default settings. Then, reconfigure them one by one, making sure that they are working correctly after each configuration step. This method can help identify if the issue is with one specific camera's configuration. Be sure to backup your camera configuration before resetting them. You can also experiment with different PoE power settings for each camera. You might need to manually adjust the power mode of the PoE ports to ensure that the cameras are getting enough power. If the switch supports it, try using a fixed PoE power level. This could ensure that the cameras receive constant power.

Network sniffing and packet analysis tools can be used to monitor the network traffic of the cameras. This process helps you identify if there are any network connectivity problems, like dropped packets, or communication errors between the cameras and other devices on your network. You might see that the cameras are sending traffic but not receiving acknowledgments, which would show a network problem. Software like Wireshark can capture and analyze network traffic. Using it to capture traffic on the camera ports can reveal a lot. Ensure that you have a network connection configured and configured for remote access.

If you find that the firmware is the root cause, and none of the troubleshooting steps have helped, the best course of action may be to revert to a previous firmware version. Ubiquiti usually provides a way to downgrade the firmware in the switch's settings. Reverting to an older, known-working version can quickly restore your camera's functionality while you wait for Ubiquiti to release a fix. Remember to download the older firmware from the Ubiquiti website and follow their instructions for downgrading the firmware. Be sure to back up your switch's configuration before downgrading. This can save a lot of time if you need to revert to your previous settings. In such scenarios, consider posting on the Ubiquiti Community forums. The community often has a lot of experience with these issues, and you may be able to get valuable help from other users.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with camera issues after a firmware update can be a frustrating experience. However, by following a systematic troubleshooting approach and by carefully examining your network configuration, PoE settings, and switch logs, you can pinpoint the cause of the problem. Remember to document every step and consider the possibility of compatibility issues. While the latest firmware update might have caused the issue, there is no need to panic! Often, a simple fix can solve the problem. Hopefully, these tips will help you get your Ubiquiti cameras back up and running smoothly. Good luck!"