CCTV Camera Inspections & Maintenance in Pretoria
Your CCTV cameras have stopped working, the footage looks terrible, the app no longer connects, or you are getting endless false alerts. We diagnose it, quote you honestly, and fix it. Servicing Waterkloof, Brooklyn, Monument Park, Faerie Glen, Garsfontein, Moreleta Park, Lynnwood, Centurion, Midrand and Johannesburg.
“My CCTV Cameras Aren’t Working” — We Hear That a Lot
If you are reading this page, something has gone wrong with your CCTV system. The cameras have stopped recording, the footage has gone dark or blurry, the mobile app keeps disconnecting, the hard drive is making strange noises, or your phone is buzzing every two minutes with false alerts that you have learned to ignore. You are not alone — these are the exact issues we see across Pretoria East, Centurion, Midrand and Johannesburg every single week.
The good news: most CCTV camera problems are fixable. Some need a fresh configuration, some need a hardware replacement, some need a full upgrade because the original system is simply past its useful service life. The only way to know which one you are dealing with is a proper CCTV camera inspection — a hands-on diagnosis by someone who knows the equipment, the configuration software, and the kind of failures common in South African conditions.
That is what this page is about. Easy CCTV has been installing and maintaining Hikvision CCTV systems across Gauteng since 2013. We have completed over 7,500 installations and inspections combined — and we are very, very used to walking into a property where the cameras have stopped working and figuring out why.
Common CCTV Camera Problems We Diagnose
If any of the following sound familiar, you need a CCTV camera inspection — not a full new installation, in most cases. The diagnosis takes 30 to 60 minutes on site and gives you a clear answer on what is wrong and what it will cost to fix.
Cameras Show “No Signal”
The recorder shows “Video Loss” or a black screen instead of camera footage. Usually a cabling, power, or BNC connector issue — sometimes the camera itself has failed.
Hik-Connect App Won’t Work
The mobile app says the device is offline, or remote viewing has stopped working since the router was replaced or the network changed. Usually a port-forward or DDNS configuration issue.
Constant False Alarms
Your phone buzzes every five minutes from cats, leaves, headlights and shadows. You have learned to ignore the app. Usually a detection zone, AcuSense, or motion-sensitivity misconfiguration.
Night Footage Is Useless
Daytime is fine, but night-time footage is pitch black, washed out from IR overexposure, or so noisy it shows nothing usable. Usually an IR illuminator, lens, or camera-positioning issue.
Hard Drive Failure
The NVR or DVR is beeping, showing “HDD Error”, or playback only goes back a few days when it used to go back weeks. Surveillance-grade hard drives typically last 3 to 5 years and need scheduled replacement.
System Slow or Won’t Boot
The NVR takes ten minutes to start, hangs on the loading screen, or restarts itself randomly. Usually a hard drive, firmware, or power supply issue — sometimes a thermal problem from blocked ventilation.
Footage Quality Has Degraded
Cameras have weathered, lenses are misted up, focus has drifted, or the original system was never high-resolution enough to be useful. Sometimes fixed with cleaning, sometimes a camera replacement.
Original CCTV Installer Has Vanished
The company that installed your system three years ago has closed down, changed phone numbers, or stopped answering. You need someone to take over support of an existing system you did not install. We do this often.
What a CCTV Camera Inspection Includes
A proper CCTV camera inspection is more than a quick look at the screen. We work through the whole system methodically — cameras, cabling, recorder, network, mobile app, configuration — and produce a written diagnosis with a clear recommendation.
Physical Camera Check
Every camera inspected at the unit — physical damage, weather seal condition, lens cleanliness, focus alignment, IR illuminator function, mounting integrity, and cable termination quality.
NVR/DVR Diagnostic
Recorder boot test, firmware version check, hard drive health using SMART data, channel verification, recording schedule audit, and configuration backup so we can restore your settings if needed.
Network & Mobile App Test
Router connectivity check, port-forward verification, Hik-Connect cloud status, mobile app login on your phone, push notification test, and remote viewing test from outside the network.
AcuSense & Detection Audit
Detection zone review on every camera, sensitivity threshold check, schedule verification, false-alarm pattern analysis, and AI classification audit if cameras support AcuSense. The main fix for “constant false alerts” complaints.
Power Supply Audit
Power supply voltage and amperage check, PoE switch port test, UPS battery condition, load shedding resilience verification, and surge protection review. Power issues cause about 40% of CCTV failures.
Written Diagnosis & Quote
Every inspection finishes with a written report listing every issue found, the fix for each one, and a quotation for repair or upgrade. No verbal-only diagnosis. No vague “you probably need a new system” upsells.
CCTV Camera Inspection Pricing
Standard call-out and diagnostic fee in Pretoria East. Centurion, Midrand and Johannesburg from R950.
- Full physical inspection of every camera
- NVR / DVR diagnostic with hard drive health check
- Network and mobile app verification
- AcuSense and detection zone audit
- Written diagnosis with itemised repair quote
- Inspection fee deducted from any repair work booked within 30 days
Why we charge for a CCTV inspection: a thorough diagnostic takes 30 to 60 minutes on site and another 30 minutes to write up properly. “Free” inspections from less reputable operators are almost always followed by inflated repair quotes designed to recover the time given away. Our inspection fee is fixed, transparent, and credited against any repair work; so if you proceed with the fix, the inspection effectively becomes free.
How a CCTV Maintenance Visit Works
From the first call to a working system, here is exactly what happens.
Brief description of the problem — what is happening, how long it has been broken, what brand of cameras you have. We give you availability and confirm the inspection fee for your area.
Most Pretoria East site inspections happen within 1-2 working days. Centurion, Midrand and Johannesburg typically within 2-3 working days. Same-day call-outs available for urgent commercial sites.
30-60 minutes on site. Every camera checked, recorder tested, network verified, configuration audited. You can watch what we do — most clients want to understand exactly what is broken.
You receive a fully itemised written quotation for any repair or upgrade work needed. Hardware and labour quoted separately. No verbal-only estimates.
Once you accept the quote, repair work is scheduled at your convenience. Most jobs are completed within the same week. Workmanship warranty applies on any new work.
After repairs, every camera is tested live, mobile app is reverified, and you receive a fresh test push notification before we leave. The job is done when the system is genuinely working.
The Most Common CCTV Camera Repairs We Complete
Most of the inspections we run lead to one of the following repairs. Knowing what these typically cost helps you understand whether to fix or upgrade.
Genuinely unfixable systems are rare. The vast majority of “broken CCTV” complaints are resolved with one of the repairs above. We will always tell you honestly when a system has reached the point where replacement is cheaper than continued repair.
When Repair Becomes Upgrade — and Why That’s Often the Right Call
About a quarter of the CCTV inspections we run end with the same recommendation: “this system is past its useful life, and continued repairs cost more than starting fresh.” This is especially true for analogue Turbo HD systems installed before 2018 — the cameras are low resolution, the DVR has no AI, the mobile app no longer receives meaningful updates, and the hard drive has been running for 6+ years on borrowed time.
In these cases we present both options honestly: keep repairing the old system at R3,000-R8,000 per intervention every 12-18 months, or upgrade to a modern Hikvision IP system that will deliver useful results for the next 5-10 years. The upgrade path normally retains existing cable infrastructure where possible, which significantly reduces the total cost compared to a full new-build.
For the upgrade route, see our tier options:
- Wired Hikvision Turbo HD specials from R7,500 — like-for-like upgrade of an older analogue system using the same cable runs
- AcuSense AI IP specials from R19,900 — step up to modern AI cameras with human/vehicle detection, ending the false-alarm problem permanently
- ColorVu AI specials from R24,900 — flagship tier with full-colour night vision plus AcuSense plus active deterrent. Our most-installed upgrade in Waterkloof, Brooklyn and Monument Park.
CCTV Camera Inspection FAQs
How much does a CCTV camera inspection cost?
R750 in Pretoria East, R950 in Centurion, Midrand and Johannesburg. The inspection fee covers a full 30-60 minute on-site diagnostic plus a written report with itemised repair quotation. If you proceed with any repair work within 30 days, the inspection fee is deducted from the repair invoice, so the inspection effectively becomes free if you go ahead with the fix.
How long does a CCTV camera inspection take?
30 to 60 minutes on site for a typical 4 to 8 camera residential system. Larger commercial sites or systems with 12+ cameras can take 1-2 hours. The written diagnosis report is delivered same day or next morning, depending on what time the inspection finishes.
Do you inspect non-Hikvision CCTV systems?
Yes. While we install Hikvision exclusively, we inspect and repair systems from any brand; Dahua, Uniview, Provision-ISR, AVTECH, Bosch, and various unbranded budget systems. For systems past useful service life, the inspection often leads to a Hikvision upgrade recommendation, but we will repair non-Hikvision systems where it makes economic sense.
Can you fix my CCTV cameras the same day as the inspection?
Sometimes, depending on what is found. Simple configuration fixes (detection zone setup, app reset, mobile viewing setup) we usually complete on the spot. Hardware replacement (cameras, NVR, hard drive) requires sourcing the part, which typically adds 1-3 working days. We will tell you immediately if a same-day fix is possible.
My CCTV system is not working: How urgent is it?
That depends on your situation. For commercial sites where uninterrupted recording matters for insurance compliance, we offer same-day call-outs. For residential properties where you have lost recording capability but still have other security measures (alarm, electric fence, beams), 1-2 working days is typical. Tell us the urgency when you call and we will work around it.
Do you offer CCTV maintenance contracts?
Yes. For commercial sites and large estates, we offer scheduled maintenance contracts that include quarterly inspections, hard drive health monitoring, firmware updates, detection zone re-tuning, and priority response on faults. Pricing varies by camera count and contract length — contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
What CCTV brand do you recommend if my old system needs upgrading?
Hikvision, exclusively. We have been a dedicated Hikvision specialist since 2013 with over 7,500 installations completed. The product range delivers the best long-term reliability in South African conditions, the largest local distribution and parts network, and the most mature AI feature set (AcuSense, ColorVu, DeepinMind). For complete detail, see our Hikvision CCTV specialist page.
Do you carry out CCTV inspections in Waterkloof, Brooklyn and Monument Park?
Yes, these established Pretoria East suburbs are where we run the most inspection-to-upgrade jobs. Heritage homes in Waterkloof, Brooklyn, Monument Park, Lukasrand, Menlo Park and Hazelwood typically have 10-15 year old DVR-era systems reaching end of life. The pattern is consistent: existing analogue cameras have weathered, the recorder no longer supports mobile viewing reliably, false alerts have rendered the system unusable. Our inspection diagnoses the actual state, and the upgrade quote reuses the existing cable runs to keep the cost reasonable.
What happens if the CCTV inspection shows nothing is fixable?
That has happened maybe twice in 12 years. In both cases the system was a no-name budget brand with no firmware support, no parts availability, and cameras that had physically failed. We were honest about it: replacement was the only path. For any branded system (Hikvision, Dahua, Uniview, Bosch, AVTECH, Provision-ISR) and most generic budget brands, there is almost always a fix. The inspection gives you the information to make the decision yourself.
Ready to Get Your CCTV Cameras Working Again?
Free quote within 24 hours of the cctv camera inspection. CCTV repair is typically scheduled within the same week.