Dahua TPC-SD2241-T Thermal ptz suddenly go crazy

S

Sam Alley-Stump

n3wb
Apr 20, 2024
25
2
Estonia
Hello,

We need technical support assistance regarding a recurring and critical issue with Dahua PTZ thermal cameras.

Devices and background
  • Model: Dahua TPC-SD2241-T
  • Quantity: 7 pcs
  • All cameras from the same batch
  • Installed at customer site in December
  • All cameras are connected to the same network and switches
(other Dahua cameras on the same switches work normally so no network problems).

Problem description
The cameras started showing unstable behavior:
  • Cameras repeatedly go online/offline
  • 24/7 continuous recording breaks approximately every 30–60 seconds
  • Issue appears automatically after a few days of normal operation
  • tour function stopped when the problem occurs or freezed because all image files after malfunction are from one preset.

Actions already taken:
  • Updated all cameras to the latest firmware
  • Performed factory reset on all cameras on site
  • changed ip addresses of all cameras and whole network scanned to ensure there is no dublicate ip’s etc.
  • Reconfigured thermal detection and presets
  • Physically replaced one camera
  • Network verified (no network issues detected)
  • After reset, cameras work normally for approx. 5 days

After that:
  • Following the automatic reboot at 02:00, 3 out of 7 cameras start malfunctioning again
  • On the recorder, video appears and disappears repeatedly
  • Some cameras become completely unreachable remotely
  • 4 out of 7 cameras continue to perform tour function and there is 24/7 recording going but cant login to cameras with pc.
  • Over time the issue escalates and eventually none of the thermal cameras can be accessed

Algorithm observation
  • Some cameras run Temperature Measurement Algorithm RT1.2.3
  • Some run RT0.0.0
  • No other configuration or hardware differences
  • Based on our experience, both algorithm versions should be stable

Important operational note
This situation is not acceptable:
  • We cannot visit the site every few weeks to perform factory resets (cameras are mounted high and require a lift)
  • The issue is clearly reproducible and recurring

any ideas what is the problem and how to fix this weird issue? Thank you!

————- CAM SPECKS ————
System Version:2.651.0000000.4.RBuild Date:2025-10-29

PTZ Version:V2.401.0000000.1.RHNZ_191031
Device Model DHI-TPC-SD2241-T

System Version
V2.651.0000000.4.R, Build Date: 2025-10-29

Web Version V5.0.1.2343292
PTZ Version
V2.401.0000000.1.RHNZ_191031

Algorithm Version 2.0
Thermal Module Version
MSR00F20250908

Intelligent Version V2.008.20241022
Heat Algorithm Version V2.0.40388
Thermal Module ISP Algorithm Version
V2.1.3
Temp Measurement Algorithm Version
RT.1.2.3
 

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I’d probably start with the switches if you’re having that many of the same issues. How much power and how long of cable runs? Maybe run a temporary extension cord and use instead of POE to see if still occurs
 
Does the issue affect all 7 cameras? Or only a specific 3?

Is the 2:00 reboot scheduled daily or weekly? (consider doing it daily if not already, in case the issue is due to a memory leak)

Are you close to the PoE budget on any of the switches powering the cameras?

Are the switches capable of sending enough power for these cameras individually? (Is the per-port power budget high enough?)

The network the cameras and NVR(s) are on, how isolated is this from the internet? (internet connectivity is a hacking risk)

I would suggest taking at least one affected camera and putting it in a simple test environment with no internet connection. Freshly factory reset it, maybe re-upload the firmware just to be extra certain. Use different cables, different PoE source, different NVR (or no NVR), maybe just an ordinary computer pulling a live stream from the camera. This is to be able to determine if the instability can be blamed on the camera itself, or if it is caused by something external to the camera.
 
bp2008 said:
Does the issue affect all 7 cameras? Or only a specific 3?

Is the 2:00 reboot scheduled daily or weekly? (consider doing it daily if not already, in case the issue is due to a memory leak)

Are you close to the PoE budget on any of the switches powering the cameras?

Are the switches capable of sending enough power for these cameras individually? (Is the per-port power budget high enough?)

The network the cameras and NVR(s) are on, how isolated is this from the internet? (internet connectivity is a hacking risk)

I would suggest taking at least one affected camera and putting it in a simple test environment with no internet connection. Freshly factory reset it, maybe re-upload the firmware just to be extra certain. Use different cables, different PoE source, different NVR (or no NVR), maybe just an ordinary computer pulling a live stream from the camera. This is to be able to determine if the instability can be blamed on the camera itself, or if it is caused by something external to the camera.
Click to expand...
what are you using for the POE? I have a little stand alone thermal and I had to use a 90 watt cuddy injector after it stopped working
 
Oh boy! I have an extreme long story on this type of issue with Thermal PTZ TPC_PT8441MA. This is a $7k camera that was a brick and revived through serial connection. At first boot up speeds would increase from 2 minutes to 20 minutes or more randomly until it failed and never recovered. Sent it off to Luminys two times for repair, they would get it working and ship back fixed. Within the shipping duration the firmware would revert to old firmware and brick itself. Turns out it would loose it's firmware after 20 minutes of shutdown. Bottom line it was a combination of firmware that fixed it. Took several months to work out with Dahua North America and Luminys tech support. They were on the hook for the 3 year warranty since I got it from ADI. The combination of firmware were not the latest either.
 
I should note that Dahua North America fixed it remotely PC to PC. Luminys sent me a serial connection board.
 

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