Just recently, my Stealth Cam stopped capturing images at night. Initially, I thought there was no activity to trigger a response. But after a period of time, I understood that it was not due to a lack of activity.
So I went online to look up fixes for this issue but could not find a comprehensive list of troubleshooting methods.
I made this troubleshooting guide as a result of my research so that you can fix your Stealth Cam if it fails to take pictures at night.
If your Stealth Cam is not taking pictures at night, check the batteries and SD card. Check if all media taken on the camera is synced with the app. Make sure you inspect the surroundings to check if any obstacles are blocking the frame. Additionally, ensure that the parameters like range and temperature are optimal.
In this article, we will explore all the troubleshooting methods mentioned above in detail.
Check Batteries

As a first step, check your Stealth Cam hardware. If your batteries are low, Stealth Cam might malfunction and stop taking pictures.
To a large extent, image capturing at night is more taxing on the battery due to the requirement of charging the flash for each capture.
Coupled with the necessity of recharging the flash, the cold temperatures at night could also negatively impact your battery, especially if it is alkaline-based or rechargeable.
You can check the overall status of your Stealth Cam using the 'Sync' button below the battery tray. There are 3 LED indicators corresponding to Battery, Network, and Account, and each indicator is capable of producing green and red lights.
Pressing the sync button will take a test photo and your Stealth Cam will attempt to upload it. If this process is successful, you will see the image on your Command app.
Successful Connection Sequences
Below are the successful connection sequences.
A flashing green battery indicator means that a check of the hardware status is underway.
A solid green battery and flashing green network indicator mean that the hardware check yielded in a positive result and a network status check is underway.
A solid green battery, network, and a flashing green account indicator mean that the battery and network status are sound and an account check is underway.
If all three indicators are green, it means that your account has been successfully registered.
Once these checks are complete, the photo upload will begin. Once the upload process has begun, all three indicators will flash green.
When the upload is complete, the LEDs will turn off indicating that the Cam is asleep and ready for deployment.
Unsuccessful Connection Sequences
If there are any errors in your sync process, one of the following indicators will be shown.
A solid red battery indicator means that the battery is low or that the SD card is not being read.
A solid green battery and red network indicator mean that there is no SIM card, low signal, or no data plan to transmit the images or videos.
A solid green battery, network, and a red account indicator mean that an account was not found by the Stealth Cam.
If the issue is with the battery, switching to lithium-based batteries or using solar recharging packs could help solve this issue.
If your battery indicator returned green and the sync process was successful, then the problem lies elsewhere.
Check SD Card

The Stealth Cam might be successfully taking pictures but not storing the images or videos on the SD card.
Ensure that there is adequate space on the SD card to store the content that your Stealth Cam captures.
The SD card that you choose for your Stealth Cam can affect its functionality.
Keep reading if you have doubts regarding which class of SD cards to use for your Stealth Cam.
It is recommended that you use an SD card carrying at least a class 10 mark.
A class 10 means that the SD card has the capability of transferring 10 MB worth of data per second. This translates to faster performance when your Cam is transferring the image captured onto the SD card.
A note to remember is that using SD card adapters in order to use micro SD cards in slots of full-size SD cards is not a good idea. It could result in performance issues or worse, data loss.
It is recommended that you use appropriately sized SD cards that your Camera is designed for.
It is always best to periodically format your SD card from the device you intend to use the SD card on. This allows the camera to format your SD card in the proper manner.
This keeps your SD card in check from retaining older data including previous firmware data and pictures.
To format your SD card on your Stealth Cam, follow these steps:
- Insert the SD card into the Camera
- Slide the switch to Custom Setting
- Press Menu and the Up arrow once
- You will see 'Format Card - No' in the display. Press Enter. This will cause the 'No' beside the Format Card to blink.
- Press the Down arrow to change the 'No' into a 'Yes' which will also blink.
- Press Enter to delete and format the card. The display will read 'Format Card - Deleting...'.
- Once the card has been formatted, the display will go back to read 'Format Card - No'. Press the Menu button to go back to ready mode.
Check Whether the Camera and App Are Synced

Another potential reason why you are not receiving the images or videos that your Stealth Cam captures could be low signal strength.
So check whether the content is stored on your SD card of the Stealth Cam.
To check the signal strength at the place you have positioned your trail cam, you can use the Signal Strength feature of Stealth Cams.
Once you have added your Stealth Cam to the Command app, you can see the signal strength on the Command app.
To reliably send images and videos across, Stealth Cam should have at least 20% signal strength.
Inspect Surroundings

The position of your Stealth Cam is a critical factor that has an impact on the functionality of your Stealth Cam.
Make sure there are no obstacles in sight. Place your Stealth Cam according to specifications like detection range and temperature sensor range.
Your Stealth Cam uses single or multiple infrared sensors to detect objects at night called Passive InfraRed sensor (PIR).
It is common for trail cams to have dirt or other debris cover the PIR sensor due to outdoor usage under rough conditions.
This could result in failure to register triggers that should prompt the Stealth Cam to take pictures or videos.
So make sure that your sensors, which are usually located around the main camera, are clean and facing the direction you hope will trigger your Stealth Cam.
The flash feature of Stealth Cams has a range. Make sure you position your camera in a way that the object you want to capture will be within the flash range.
Final Thoughts

Stealth Cam is one of the leading products in the Trail Cam segment and one of the most rugged and durable outdoor cams available on the market.
Stealth Cam also has features like the SOL-PAK solar battery pack capable of functioning even in low-light conditions.
If you are finding repeated battery changes frustrating, you can buy the solar battery pack which comes with a 10ft insulated cable and battery pack compatible with any Stealth Cam.
They will also require battery changes eventually for efficient functioning at night when parameters like flash recharging and temperature come into play.
These battery packs will last longer the solar panel will recharge these batteries during the day, thereby extending their lifespan.
I hope the troubleshooting steps I mentioned in this article have helped resolve issues with your Stealth Cam. Have a good day!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How often should I check my Trail Cam?
Check your trail cam once every two to three weeks. Leaving your trail cam at a remote location for a long period of time is not ideal. However, it is not necessary to periodically check up on them as these devices are extremely durable and reliable. Frequently checking on them could bring unwanted attention to your trail cam location.
What is the PIR delay on Trail Cams?
PIR delay is the amount of time your Trail Cam takes between two consecutive shots or videos. You can set the PIR delay between 5 seconds to 60 minutes. Depending on the nature of the object you wish to capture, you should set the PIR delay accordingly.
What is no glow night vision?
A no-glow night vision does not produce any visible light unless you are standing near it. In the dark, it is nearly undetectable and the image captured using no-glow night vision will be black and white.
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