My camera keeps dropping out (going red) during a meet. Why?
The camera lost its connection to FinishLynx. First make sure only one FinishLynx is looking for cameras and apply the Windows 11 print fix on every Windows 11 computer, then read the BOOT light.
A camera that goes red in FinishLynx has lost its connection to the software.
- Check the other computers. Only one FinishLynx should be looking for cameras: on every other computer on the network running FinishLynx, set Hardware Type to None (File | Options | General) and restart it. Make sure only one copy of FinishLynx is running on the timing computer. If any computer on the network runs Windows 11, apply the fix in Slow start or printer warning to every Windows 11 computer, even ones that aren't used for printing.
- Check the BOOT light. Still solid green: the camera stayed powered, which is good. Back to flashing amber: the camera turned off and on and needs to reload, so check its power (an injector or switch port at its limit, or a long or damaged cable). On a Vision-series camera, a red ON light after a drop means the camera switched itself off; if its power source didn't cut out, it needs a repair.
- Test the link speed. Connect the camera straight to the computer with a known-good cable and check the Ethernet adapter's speed in Windows. 10 Mbps on a Vision, Pro, Fusion or 2000+ camera points to a hardware fault.
An IdentiLynx that drops has its own checks, including the switch's PoE budget and the network load at high frame rates: Camera dropping randomly.
Send it in for repair
Start an RMA. The portal walks you through what to include and where to ship it.
Goes deeper
- Camera dropping randomly — Troubleshoot · Camera · EtherLynx Camera · Boot & Connection
Related questions
- Is my older PoE switch enough for a newer camera? — Check the per-port rating: Vision-series cameras take 802.3at PoE+ (up to 30 W per port). A 15.4 W port can't power a Vision PRO X, so it boots on its injector but not on that switch.
- Which Ethernet cable should the camera run use, and how long can it be? — Buy Cat6 (shielded if it runs next to power), never copper-clad aluminum for PoE. About 100 m over copper; use fiber with converters for a long permanent run.
- Can two FinishLynx computers share one camera? — No. A camera loads into one FinishLynx at a time. Use a white list to choose which computer loads each camera, and set the evaluate computer's Hardware Type to None.
- Why does FinishLynx say "Waiting for printer connection" when it starts? — A known Windows 11 printing issue that makes FinishLynx slow to open. Apply the Windows 11 print fix first, then remove printers you no longer use.