Common Issues
This guide covers frequently encountered issues and their solutions based on how OcuTrap operates.
Trap Won't Arm
If you're unable to 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:
Open the OcuTrap app
Tap the Open button and wait for the door to fully open
Check that the LED shows Solid Blue (unarmed and open)
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:
Check that nothing is in front of the sensor inside the trap
Clear any debris, leaves, or objects from the trap interior
Ensure the sensor window is clean
Wait for 5+ distance readings to confirm the zone is clear
Try arming again
Sensor blocked or dirty
First attempt: Sensor blocked or dirty: Reading at … — does not arm. Clean the lens and clear the sensor path.
Retry within 5 minutes: The trap will arm (or enter scout) and sends Armed but sensor may be blocked or dirty (or the scouting variant). After 5 minutes, the blocking error returns.
A dirty lens with nothing in the trap often reads about 4 in; that triggers this flow, not “Object at 4 in.”
See Distance Limits, Sensor Alerts & Errors for capture distance presets and other arming errors.
Sensor Error (Blocks Arming)
If arming fails with “Sensor error”, the distance sensor did not pass its self-check.
Solution:
Clean the POD lens
Power-cycle the trap
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:
Check the motor connector is securely attached
Verify the motor cable isn't damaged
If red and black internal wires are visible at the connector, see Wire Exposed
Contact support if the issue persists
False Triggers / Unwanted Captures
OcuTrap has sophisticated false-trigger prevention, but environmental factors can sometimes cause issues.
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:
Decrease the Capture Distance setting (smaller = animal must be closer before the door closes)
Ensure the trap is positioned to minimize rain entry
Check that the sensor window is clean and undamaged
Consider repositioning the trap to a more sheltered location
Capture Distance Too Sensitive
If the trap triggers before animals are fully inside:
Solution:
Go to Settings → More Settings
Decrease the Capture Distance value (smaller = animal must be closer)
Default is 8 in — try 6 in or 7 in for more selective triggering
GPS Not Updating
GPS updates are battery-optimized and may not update as frequently as expected.
Understanding GPS Behavior
Default interval: Every 8 hours (not real-time)
First boot delay: 5-minute delay before first GPS acquisition
Capture updates: GPS automatically updates when a capture occurs
GPS Shows Old Location
Solution:
Wait for the next scheduled update (check your GPS Interval setting)
Request a manual update: Go to Controls → tap the Data button
Ensure GPS is not disabled in settings
No GPS Fix Available
Solution:
Ensure the trap is outdoors with a clear view of the sky
Move away from buildings, dense tree cover, or metal structures
Allow up to 3 minutes for the first fix after power-on
Check that GPS is enabled in settings
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:
Check Dark Lux Threshold setting — lower value = IR activates at higher light levels
Increase Minimum IR Brightness setting
Ensure the IR LED window is clean
Verify the camera lens is not blocked or dirty
Overexposed / Washed Out Images
Solution:
Decrease Maximum IR Brightness setting
Adjust image cropping to remove reflective areas
Reposition the trap to reduce direct reflections
Images Not Sending
Possible Causes:
Poor cellular signal
Large image size taking too long to transfer
Solution:
Check cellular connectivity (LED should be breathing cyan when connected)
Reduce Camera Quality setting (1-2 for faster transfer)
Move trap to an area with better cellular coverage
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 — 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)
GPS interval set too frequently
Camera timelapse interval set too short
Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity
Solution:
Deploy in areas with good cellular coverage
Increase GPS Interval (8+ hours recommended)
Increase Camera Time Lapse interval (6+ hours recommended)
In cold weather, expect reduced battery life
Keep firmware updated (includes battery optimizations)
Trap Keeps Hibernating
If the trap enters hibernation unexpectedly:
Check battery level — the trap hibernates when the battery is critically low
Charge or replace the battery
Verify the correct Battery Type is selected in settings
If the battery is charged but hibernation persists, the battery may be damaged
Door Issues
Door Won't Open or Close
Solution:
Check motor connector is securely attached
If red and black internal wires are visible at the connector, see Wire Exposed
Verify no physical obstruction is blocking the door
Check battery level — door operation requires adequate power
Use the manual door control: Double-press User Button + hold for 5 seconds
Check for motor fault indicator (orange LED)
Door Not Latching Behind the Locking Bar
When the door closes correctly, it sits behind and underneath the locking bar, with the actuator extended to its full length. If the door comes to rest in front of the locking bar, the bar cannot hold the door down — a captured animal can push from the inside and bend the door upward, creating enough gap to escape.
What "fully closed and locked" looks like:
Actuator is at its full length (fully extended).
Door is behind and underneath the locking bar along its entire width — not resting on top of or in front of the bar.
The locking bar runs across the door opening and physically blocks the door from lifting.
How to verify (every trapping session):
From the app, tap Close and wait for the door to fully close.
Look at the door from the front of the trap.
Confirm the door edge is tucked under the locking bar across the full width — not pinched on top of it or sitting outside it.
Gently try to lift the door by hand. It should not move; the locking bar should stop it within a small fraction of an inch.
If the door is on top of or in front of the locking bar:
Tap Open, wait for the door to fully retract, then tap Close again.
If the issue repeats, enable Enhanced Door Closing (Settings → More Settings) — it re-cycles the door to clear obstructions and seat the latch.
Inspect the door track and locking bar area for debris (dirt, vegetation, ice).
Check that the door is not bent. A previously bent door may not seat correctly even when the mechanism works. Contact support if the door edge is deformed.
Why it matters: A door that is not behind the locking bar may not prevent an animal from escaping.
Door Opens/Closes Slowly
Possible Causes:
Low battery
Motor wear
Mechanical obstruction
Solution:
Charge the battery fully
Check for debris in the door track
Contact support if the issue persists
LED Indicators
No LED / Trap Appears Dead
Solution:
Press the power button to wake from hibernation
Charge the battery — the trap may have auto-hibernated due to low power
Check battery connections
If battery is charged and power button doesn't respond, contact support
Rapid Red Blinking (SOS)
This indicates a system error.
Solution:
If fewer than 10 blinks, the trap may recover automatically
If more than 10 blinks, contact support
Note any patterns or counts to share with support
For LED status meanings, see the LED Guide.
Tilt / Movement Alerts
Unexpected Tilt Alerts
The trap sends tilt alerts when not level during armed mode.
Solution:
Ensure the trap is placed on level ground
Check that the trap is stable and not shifting
Only one tilt alert is sent per arming session to prevent spam
Still Need Help?
If you've tried the solutions above and still have issues:
Contact Support with details about your issue
Include: trap serial number, battery voltage, LED status, and steps already tried
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