Lorex Camera Black Screen – (Here’s the Real Fix!)

It can be frustrating when you’re monitoring your space and suddenly see the Lorex camera black screen instead of a live feed. 

Well, the issue often features a loss of power or an unsupported display output, leading to a black screen on your brand-new Lorex camera.

Don’t worry–this guide will help you resolve this. So, let’s learn the most effective solutions for the camera black screen!

8 Guaranteed Ways To Fix The Lorex Camera Black Screen?

Quick Tip: If using a wireless Lorex camera, update and reinstall the Lorex mobile application!

1. Check the Lorex Camera Power Supply

An insufficient or unstable power supply is the most common cause for a loss of live feed on a Lorex camera for both wireless and wired models. 

So, for the first step, we recommend checking the PoE connection of your wired camera or the battery of your wireless camera to see if it is working at full capacity. 

1.1 How to Inspect Wired Lorex Cameras:

Wired Lorex cameras use PoE or a power adapter to connect to an NVR or DVR, but a loose or unsecured connection could lead to a black screen.

Make sure the PoE switch or adapter is plugged in, the outlet is delivering power, and the camera status light is on to confirm power.

1.2 How to Inspect Wireless Lorex Cameras:

Wireless Lorex cameras run on batteries, and a depleted battery can lead to a black screen if it’s not charged properly.

You can use the Lorex app to verify the charging level of the Lorex camera, and if it shows anything below 10–15%, we recommend charging it to at least 80%.

2. “Discharge” the Lorex Security Camera

A power glitch might cause the Lorex camera to display a black screen through the app or the DVR/NVR monitoring station.

Hence, we recommend discharging the camera, regardless of whether it is a wired or wireless unit.

2.1 How to Discharge a Wireless Lorex Camera

Wireless Lorex cameras are battery-operated and need to be charged through the supplied USB cable.

Remove the battery, press the power button for 10 seconds to drain any leftover power, and reinsert the battery to jump-start the camera. 

The batteries of all wireless Lorex security cameras can be easily removed to access the USB port on the back, which is used for charging.

2.2 How to Discharge a Wired Lorex Camera

Wired Lorex cameras use PoE to store recordings and draw power from the monitoring DVR or NVR unit in your setup.

To discharge, you must unplug the camera from the PoE switch or NVR.

Here’s how to discharge a wired Lorex camera:

• Unplug the camera from the PoE switch or NVR.
• Wait 30 seconds to let the camera fully discharge.
• Reconnect the camera to the PoE switch or NVR.
• Next, check if the black screen issue is resolved.

Note: Connect the PoE cable of the wired Lorex camera to another Ethernet port on the NVR or DVR to test the power supply. 

3. Force Reboot the NVR or Lorex App

The black screen might be a result of a temporary monitoring glitch in the Lorex application or NVR.

Wireless cameras use the Lorex mobile application to provide live feed access, while the live feed of the wired Lorex cameras can be viewed from your integrated NVR or DVR monitor.

3.1 Force Close the Lorex App (Wireless):

• Open the Lorex application and wait for ~10 seconds.
• Now, close the app and access the temporal memory.
• Swipe upwards to remove the Lorex app from the tab.
• Relaunch the Lorex app and access the live feed page.

3.2 Soft Reset the Lorex NVR (Wired):

• Unplug the NVR or DVR from the power outlet.
• Wait for ~30 seconds until the unit discharges.
• Now, reconnect the DVR or NVR to the power.
• Next, check if the live feed is now accessible.

Note: Ensure the Lorex NVR or DVR receives a stable power supply, otherwise, there might be constant interruptions in the camera live feed.

4. Troubleshoot the Local Router Network

An underlying network issue could be the reason why your Lorex camera is showing a black screen, since both wireless and wired Lorex cameras rely on a solid Wi-Fi/Ethernet connection.

Therefore, regardless of the camera type and whether you use Wi-Fi or Ethernet, you should check the speed of your network and improve the overall performance.

Note: Measure the speed of your network at speedtest.net and test after each solution!

Step #1 Power Cycle the Router:

A router issue can disrupt the connection between your camera and network, affecting both Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

Hence, unplug your router, wait 30 seconds for a complete discharge, and then reconnect the device to relaunch the network services.

Step #2 Reduce the Overall Usage:

Too many devices can clog your network, slowing down the camera’s video stream on wired or wireless setups.

Try these steps to free up bandwidth.

Here are some tips for reducing network usage:

• Disconnect unused devices like your smart TV or laptop.
• Pause lengthy downloads or streaming on other devices.
• Disable app updates, streaming, or any type of uploading.

Step #3 Reset the Router System:

Note: Skip this step if no other devices are facing network issues, besides your Lorex camera!

If the power cycle did not have any effect, resetting the router can clear more serious network issues for both camera types.

Find the built-in Reset button on the router and hold it for at least ~15 seconds, until either of the LED indicators blinks.

Now, you can either get in touch with the ISP to set up your network remotely or access the web GUI using the router’s default gateway and reconfigure the networks yourself.

Note: You should also contact the ISP if the network problems are persistent on other devices!

5. Shorten the Distance (Wireless Lorex Cameras)

The black screen on your wireless Lorex camera model might be distance-related, especially if your camera is on the 5 GHz band. 

Shortening the Wi-Fi distance can boost the connection regardless of the Wi-Fi standard you use and minimize the network disruptions.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how both Wi-Fi frequencies work:

• 2.4 GHz: Keep within 100–150 feet for a stable connection.
• 5 GHz: Stay within 50–100 feet due to the shorter coverage.

You can check the Wi-Fi signal strength of your wireless Lorex camera through your Lorex app after tapping on the banner of the device.

The ideal distance for both should be between 50 and 100 feet, but that depends on the obstructions and interference.

6. Replace the PoE Ethernet (Wired Lorex Cameras)

Lorex camera black screen on your wired model might be due to a faulty PoE Ethernet cable, which powers the camera and sends video to the NVR.

The wired Lorex cameras rely on PoE to deliver both power and data, so a faulty cable can disrupt the connection.

6.1 How to Choose the Right Ethernet Cable:

You need a replacement Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable, which supports PoE up to 328 feet (100 meters).

We recommend using a brand-new Ethernet cable or testing via an old one to determine if it is functional.

Tip: You can effortlessly test the functionality of an Ethernet cable by plugging it into your router or using an 8-channel Ethernet tester.

6.2 How to Replace the PoE Ethernet Cable:

Next, disconnect the current Ethernet cable and gently remove it from your installation to install the replacement.

Ensure the new cable is long enough to reach the Lorex camera and the NVR without overstretching or bending anywhere. 

7. Check the Camera Alignment & Position

Well, the black screen on your Lorex camera could also result from the camera’s alignment and orientation on the Lorex camera stand.

Start by inspecting the camera lens for any type of obstruction that might block the view and clean it gently with a soft cloth if needed.

Then, ensure the camera is not tilted too far or facing a wall, and adjust its angle to point at the area you want to monitor.

Note: If you use a wired Lorex cam, ensure the monitor is securely plugged into the NVR/DVR.

8. Reset the Lorex Camera to Default Settings

The Lorex camera black screen is most commonly resolved with a clean factory reset.

Both wired and wireless cameras have a built-in “Reset” button on the side or rear panel that allows you to restore the default settings without opening the application.

If necessary, unmount the camera and locate the Reset button.

Hold it for 10–15 seconds while the camera is powered up and wait for the indicator to flash several times.

Note: If you’re still only seeing the black screen, contact Lorex customer support for more help!