Common issues

Fix common arming, sensor, camera, connectivity, battery, door, GPS, and LED problems with your OcuTrap.

Applies to OcuTrap R1 and R2

Use this guide to fix common OcuTrap problems.

Trap Won't Arm

If you cannot arm your trap, check the following:

Door Must Be Fully Open

The trap requires the door to be fully open before arming. This is a safety feature to ensure proper capture operation.

Solution:

  1. Open the OcuTrap app
  2. Tap the Open button and wait for the door to fully open
  3. Check that the light shows blue (unarmed and open). See the LED guide
  4. Try arming again

Obstruction Detected

Before arming, the trap performs an obstruction check to ensure the capture zone is clear. If something is blocking the sensor, arming will fail.

Solution:

  1. Check that nothing is in front of the sensor inside the trap
  2. Clear any debris, leaves, or objects from the trap interior
  3. Ensure the sensor window is clean
  4. Wait for 5+ distance readings to confirm the zone is clear
  5. Try arming again

Sensor blocked or dirty

The trap uses a warn-and-arm approach: if the POD lens looks blocked or dirty, the trap still arms but sends a warning so you know to clean it:

  • Arm: Trap armed. Check camera and clean sensor if blocked.
  • Scout: Scout on. Check camera and clean sensor if blocked.

Clean the POD lens and clear the sensor path when you see this. The trap keeps working, but a dirty lens can affect detection. Clean it as soon as you can.

A real object physically blocking the trap interior is different: arming is blocked with Remove object at <distance> first. Remove the object and arm again.

See Distance limits, sensor alerts and errors for capture distance presets and other arming errors.

Sensor Error (Blocks Arming)

If arming fails with Sensor fault. Power-cycle the trap., the distance sensor did not pass its self-check.

Solution:

  1. Clean the POD lens
  2. Power-cycle the trap
  3. Contact support if the error persists after cleaning

Motor Connectivity Issue

The trap tests motor connectivity before arming. If the motor doesn't respond, arming will fail.

Solution:

  1. Check the motor connector is securely attached
  2. See Motor connector tightness check
  3. Verify the motor cable isn't damaged
  4. If red and black internal wires are visible at the connector, see Wire exposed
  5. Contact support if the issue persists

False Triggers / Unwanted Captures

OcuTrap filters false triggers, but environmental conditions can still cause them.

Rain or Debris Triggering

Heavy rain or debris falling through the trap can sometimes trigger captures.

How OcuTrap Prevents This:

  • Requires several steady readings in a row before closing the door
  • Ignores splashy or erratic movement (such as rain or blowing debris)
  • Ignores weak or unreliable readings from a dirty or obstructed sensor window

If you're still getting false triggers:

  1. Decrease the Capture Distance setting (smaller = animal must be closer before the door closes)
  2. Ensure the trap is positioned to minimize rain entry
  3. Check that the sensor window is clean and undamaged
  4. Consider repositioning the trap to a more sheltered location

Capture Distance Too Sensitive

If the trap triggers before animals are fully inside:

Solution:

  1. Go to Settings → More Settings
  2. Decrease the Capture Distance value (smaller = animal must be closer)
  3. Default is 8 in. Try 6 in or 7 in for more selective triggering

GPS Not Updating

GPS updates limit battery use, so they may not happen as often as you expect.

Understanding GPS Behavior

  • Update interval: Every 8 hours, fixed (not real-time)
  • First boot delay: 15 minutes after boot before the first GPS acquisition
  • Captures take priority: A capture in progress pauses GPS until it finishes; GPS never interrupts a capture

GPS Shows Old Location

Solution:

  1. Wait for the next scheduled update (the trap updates every 8 hours)
  2. Request a manual update: in the Trap Controls bar, tap Location
  3. Ensure GPS is not disabled in settings

No GPS Fix Available

Solution:

  1. Ensure the trap is outdoors with a clear view of the sky
  2. Move away from buildings, dense tree cover, or metal structures
  3. Allow up to 3 minutes for the first fix after power-on
  4. Check that GPS is enabled in settings
  5. If problems persist, contact support for GPS troubleshooting

Camera Issues

Dark or Black Images

Possible Causes:

  • Camera not detecting darkness correctly
  • IR LEDs not activating

Solution:

  1. Check Dark Lux Threshold setting. Night vision and IR activate when light falls below this value, so increase it to enable them earlier (see Camera)
  2. Increase Minimum IR Brightness setting
  3. Ensure the IR LED window is clean
  4. Verify the camera lens is not blocked or dirty

Overexposed / Washed Out Images

Solution:

  1. Decrease Maximum IR Brightness setting
  2. Adjust image cropping to remove reflective areas
  3. Reposition the trap to reduce direct reflections

Images Not Sending

Possible Causes:

  • Poor cellular signal
  • Large image size taking too long to transfer

Solution:

  1. Check cellular connectivity (LED should be breathing cyan when connected)
  2. Reduce Camera Quality setting (1-2 for faster transfer)
  3. Move trap to an area with better cellular coverage
  4. Wait. High-quality photos can take several minutes to upload, especially on a weak cellular connection

Connectivity Issues

Trap Shows "Offline"

For a step-by-step field guide to the battery, hibernation, LED patterns, cellular coverage, and what to send Support, see Trap offline or won't connect.

Automatic reconnection: If the trap loses connection, it will try to reconnect on its own. This can take up to an hour. Leave it powered on in an area with decent cellular coverage and check back later.

If the trap stays offline after the steps in the guide above, contact support.

Commands Not Reaching Trap

See Trap not sending commands for detailed troubleshooting.

Battery Issues

Battery Draining Quickly

Common Causes:

  • Poor cellular signal (device uses more power searching)
  • Location (GPS) left on where the trap cannot get a fix
  • Camera timelapse interval set too short
  • Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity

Solution:

  1. Deploy in areas with good cellular coverage
  2. Turn Location (GPS) off if you do not need location tracking
  3. Increase Camera Time Lapse interval (6+ hours recommended)
  4. In cold weather, expect reduced battery life
  5. Keep firmware updated (includes battery optimizations)

Trap Keeps Hibernating

If the trap enters hibernation unexpectedly:

  1. Check battery level. The trap hibernates when the battery is critically low
  2. Charge or replace the battery
  3. Verify the correct Battery Type is selected in settings
  4. If the battery is charged but hibernation persists, the battery may be damaged

Door Issues

Door Won't Open or Close

Solution:

  1. Check motor connector is securely attached
  2. If red and black internal wires are visible at the connector, see Wire exposed
  3. Verify no physical obstruction is blocking the door
  4. Check battery level. Door operation requires adequate power
  5. Use the manual door control: press the User Button once, then press again and hold ~5 seconds (about 7 seconds total before the door moves)
  6. Check for a sensor-fault indicator (3 orange flashes)

Door Not Latching Behind the Locking Bar

If the door comes to rest in front of or on top of the locking bar, a captured animal can push it open.

Full checks and fixes: Door won't lock behind the locking bar.

Door Opens/Closes Slowly

Possible Causes:

  • Low battery
  • Motor wear
  • Mechanical obstruction

Solution:

  1. Charge the battery fully
  2. Check for debris in the door track
  3. Contact support if the issue persists

LED Indicators

No LED / Trap Appears Dead

Solution:

  1. Press the power button to wake from hibernation
  2. Charge the battery. The trap may have auto-hibernated due to low power
  3. Check battery connections
  4. If battery is charged and power button doesn't respond, contact support

Rapid Red Blinking

Rapid red blinking means the trap is powering down because the power button is being held. It is not an error code.

Solution:

  1. If you didn't mean to power off, release the power button within about 3 seconds to cancel the shutdown.
  2. If it finishes shutting down, the LED goes solid red and the trap powers off. Press the power button again to turn it back on.
  3. Genuine faults show as brief flash bursts instead: 3 orange flashes (sensor error; clean the POD lens and power-cycle) or 5 magenta flashes (data error). If a fault repeats, contact support.

For LED status meanings, see the LED guide.

Trap Placement

Set the trap on level, stable ground so it cannot shift and the door can operate cleanly.

Still Need Help?

If you've tried the solutions above and still have issues:

  1. Contact Support with details about your issue
  2. Include: trap serial number, battery voltage, LED status, and steps already tried