My outdoor camera got water inside and won't turn on
Home Nura guide — category: Outdoor Security Cameras
Diagnosis
Warning: this symptom can point to a serious hardware defect. Stop using the device until you know the cause. We recommend contacting the manufacturer or an authorized repair service before you try to use it again.
What to do
Unplug it right away and stop using it. Document the symptom (photos, video, the sounds it makes), then contact the manufacturer's support team. Keep your proof of purchase handy: any warranty claim starts there.
Repair or replace?
If the problem is still there after these checks and the appliance is out of warranty, weigh the repair estimate against the cost of a new model.
If you're replacing it
Outdoor Security Cameras: the picks from our buying guide
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Best overall
eufyCam S3 Pro
4K video, color night vision, built-in solar and local storage on the HomeBase S380, expandable to 16 TB, with no monthly fees.
Photo: © eufy
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Best value
TP-Link Tapo C520WS
A motorized 2K pan-and-tilt camera that covers a whole yard from one spot, with motion tracking and microSD up to 512 GB.
Photo: © TP-Link
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Best wired PoE option
Reolink RLC-833A
4K with 3x optical zoom, power and data over a single Ethernet cable, and continuous recording on a Reolink NVR.
Photo: © Reolink
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Other common problems in this category
These issues affect the same type of appliance — each one comes with a diagnosis and the steps to take.
- Outdoor Security CamerasThe infrared night vision on my outdoor camera washes out the image
- Outdoor Security CamerasMy outdoor camera misses important motion events
- Outdoor Security CamerasMy outdoor camera lens fogs up in the morning and the image is blurry
- Outdoor Security CamerasMy outdoor camera's motion alerts arrive 30 seconds late
Frequently asked questions
Check the manufacturer's warranty first: how long it lasts and what it covers vary by brand and model, so read the terms for yours and keep your proof of purchase. If you bought it new in the EU, a two-year legal guarantee also applies (Directive (EU) 2019/771), covering defects present at delivery, whenever they first show up.
If you're still within the seller's return window, a return or exchange is usually the fastest fix. After that, go through the manufacturer's support team: it handles warranty claims and can often repair the unit even after the warranty has run out. Either way, keep your proof of purchase.
Our public methodology lowers the Nura Score /10 of any model in our Outdoor Security Cameras guide whose recurring failures show up in owner reviews. A model that breaks down too often never makes it to the top, whatever the brand.
Generally, yes, if you stick to routine maintenance: cleaning, replacing a gasket, recalibrating. Irreversible changes to the hardware are what can cause problems, so read your warranty terms before you open anything up. Anything the manufacturer's manual walks you through is the safe zone.
Your proof of purchase, the exact model name and a record of the symptom: photos, a short video, the sound it makes and any error code. Note when the problem started and what you've already tried. With all that in hand, support can pin down the problem much faster.