UniFi Support Tools - IT Pro Expert

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Default Credentials & Access

Factory Default Logins (Unadopted)

Device Type	Username	Password	Examples
Legacy	`ubnt`	`ubnt`	U6, G3/G4/G5 cameras, USG
UniFi OS	`ui`	`ui`	UDM, U7 AP, G6 cameras, UXG

Important: Once adopted, SSH/device passwords are managed by your UniFi Network Application under Settings > System > Advanced > Device Authentication

Default Network Addresses

Gateways (UDM, UDR, UXG, USG)

192.168.1.1 – Most common default
192.168.2.1 – Alternate gateway address
10.0.0.1 – Rare legacy configuration

APs, Cameras, Switches (Unadopted)

192.168.1.20

Standard fallback IP when device hasn’t received DHCP. Access via HTTP port 8080 (legacy) or HTTPS 443 (modern).

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UniFi Gateways & Controllers (2025/2026)

All-in-One Cloud Gateways (with NVR)

UDM Pro Max Dream Machine Pro Max

Top-tier gateway. Dual 3.5″ drives (24TB each), 128GB NVMe for AI events, 50x 1080p / 25x 2K / 15x 4K cameras, 10GbE optional. Price: ~£599

UDM Pro (UDMP) Dream Machine Pro

Professional grade. Single 3.5″ drive bay (24TB), 24x 1080p / 14x 2K / 8x 4K cameras. Core enterprise solution. Price: ~£379

UDM SE Dream Machine SE

Budget gateway with Protect. Single 3.5″ drive (20TB), full routing/gateway features, 24x 1080p / 14x 2K / 8x 4K. Price: ~£399

UDR7 Dream Router 7

Compact mesh gateway. Built-in 64GB microSD, router + basic Protect (5x 1080p / 2x 2K / 1x 4K max). NEW 2025 • Price: ~£279

UDW Dream Wall

Wall-mounted gateway. 512GB microSD + 128GB SSD, compact form, 12x 1080p / 7x 2K / 4x 4K. For small offices/homes. NEW 2025 • Price: ~£699

UCG Max Cloud Gateway Max

Compact desktop gateway. 1x M.2 NVMe (up to 2TB), basic Protect, 15x 1080p / 8x 2K / 5x 4K. NEW 2025 • Price: £199-279

UCG Fibre Cloud Gateway Fibre

Fiber-optimized gateway. 1x M.2 NVMe, built-in fiber support. Perfect for fiber ISPs. NEW 2025 • Price: ~£279

Dedicated NVR Appliances (Protect Only)

UNVR Instant

Desktop NVR. Single 3.5″ bay (24TB), 15x 1080p / 8x 2K / 6x 4K. Entry-level. Price: ~£199

UNVR Network Video Recorder

1U Rack. 4x 3.5″ bays (32TB max), RAID 1/5, 60x 1080p / 30x 2K / 18x 4K. Core NVR. Price: ~£299

UNVR Pro

2U Rack. 7x 3.5″ bays (168TB max), RAID 1/5/10, 70x 1080p / 35x 2K / 24x 4K. Price: ~£499

ENVR Enterprise NVR

3U Rack. 16x 3.5″ bays (384TB max), RAID 1/5/10, 210x 1080p / 140x 2K / 70x 4K. Enterprise scale. Price: ~£1,999

💡 Choosing a Recorder? Use the official IT Pro Expert calculator: UniFi Protect Storage Calculator to determine exact storage needs

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UniFi Protect Cameras (G6 Latest)

G6 Generation (2025) – 8MP 4K, AI Engine, Advanced Analytics

G6 Bullet

Versatile outdoor bullet. 1/1.8″ 8MP sensor, 4K, long-range IR, motorized lens, field-upgradeable. £199 • PoE

G6 Turret

Compact turret form. Identical to Bullet in performance, sleek design, IP66, 3-axis mount. £199 • PoE

G6 Dome

Vandal-proof dome. 8MP 4K, discreet design, IP66, ideal for retail/high-traffic areas. £249 • PoE

G6 Instant WiFi

Wireless plug-and-play. 8MP 4K, Auto-Link WiFi, IPX5 rated, 6m IR, no PoE needed. £179 • WiFi

G6 PTZ

Pan-tilt-zoom with tracking. 10x hybrid zoom (4x optical), dual-lens, auto-tracks people/vehicles. £399 • PoE

G6 Pro 360

360° ceiling mount. 12MP sensor, digital pan/tilt/zoom for any direction after recording. ~£299 • PoE

G6 Pro Bullet

Premium outdoor bullet. Enhanced lens, pro mounting, maximum range. £479 • PoE

G5 & Earlier Generations (Still Supported)

G5 / G4 / G3 Series

Fully compatible with UniFi Protect. All legacy models continue to receive support. Upgrade path available via side-by-side deployment with G6 units.

Smart Features Across All G6 Models

Face ID: AI-powered facial recognition for VIP/threat detection
License Plate Recognition (LPR): Read vehicle plates in real-time
Person/Vehicle Detection: Smart filtering eliminates false alerts
Edge AI: Works without cloud, full privacy control
Glare-free IR: 60+ meter night vision range on select models

📊 Storage Planning: Use the IT Pro Expert Storage Calculator to calculate exact storage needs for your camera count and retention period

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WiFi 7 Access Points (U7 Series)

WiFi 7 (802.11be) – Latest Standard with 6GHz Band

U7 Lite Entry-Level

Dual-band WiFi 7, 4 spatial streams, 2.5GbE uplink. £99 Ideal: Small offices, guest networks, budget deployments. ⚠️ No 6GHz band

U7 Pro Standard

Tri-band WiFi 7 with 6GHz, 6 spatial streams, 2.5GbE uplink. £189 Ideal: High-density offices, WiFi 7 devices, best value.

U7 Pro XG High-Performance

Tri-band WiFi 7, 6 spatial streams, 10GbE uplink. £279 Ideal: Enterprise, eliminates uplink bottleneck for multi-gigabit clients.

U7 Pro Max Premium

Ceiling/wall mount, 8 spatial streams, 10GbE. £349 Ideal: Large enterprise deployments, maximum performance. NEW 2025

U7 In-Wall Room-Mounted

WiFi 7 in-wall AP with 2-port PoE switch. Perfect for hotels, offices, apartments. NEW 2025

U7 Mesh Outdoor Mesh

WiFi 7 mesh with 3x range vs U6 Mesh, super antenna architecture, weatherproof. £199 • NEW 2025

U7 Pro Wall Wall-Mount

Wall-mounted tri-band WiFi 7, 2.5GbE uplink. £199 Ideal: Offices, hotels, small spaces.

WiFi 7 Key Capabilities

320 MHz Channels (6GHz): Massive bandwidth, zero interference
Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Ultra-low latency for gaming/calls
4K-QAM: Higher data density than WiFi 6
Target Wake Time (TWT): Extended battery life for IoT devices
6 GHz Band: Clean spectrum reserved for WiFi 7 only (no legacy WiFi interference)

⚠️ WiFi 7 Deployment Note: Requires WPA3 encryption. May have compatibility issues with legacy devices (older printers, smart TVs, IoT). Test with your devices before full rollout. Consider mixed U7 Pro (with 6GHz) + older APs for backward compatibility.

💡 Switch Upgrade Required: WiFi 7 APs need 2.5GbE or 10GbE switch uplinks to avoid bottlenecking. 1GbE switches waste WiFi 7’s performance. Budget for Pro Max 24 PoE or aggregation switches.

⌨️

SSH Commands Reference

Universal Device Commands

info

Display device model, firmware, adoption URL, and status

ssh ubnt@192.168.1.20 info

set-inform <url>

Set controller URL for adoption. Controller must be reachable on port 8080

ssh ubnt@192.168.1.20 set-inform http://192.168.1.10:8080/inform

upgrade <url>

Upgrade firmware from URL (device reboots automatically)

ssh ubnt@192.168.1.20 upgrade https://dl.ui.com/firmwares/path/to/firmware.bin

reboot

Reboot device immediately

ssh ubnt@192.168.1.20 reboot

ping <ip>

Test connectivity from device to remote host

ssh ubnt@192.168.1.20 ping 8.8.8.8

UniFi OS Specific (UDM, UDR, UXG)

ubnt-systool cputemp

Show current CPU temperature in Celsius

ubnt-systool cputemp

ubnt-systool portstatus

Display physical port status and link speeds

ubnt-systool portstatus

ubnt-device-info summary

Detailed system summary including uptime, memory, CPU model

ubnt-device-info summary

unifi-os restart

Restart UniFi OS container (NOT full reboot). May interrupt sessions

unifi-os restart

df -h

Check disk space usage across all mounts

df -h

free -h

Display RAM usage and available memory

free -h

Camera Specific Commands

ubnt_system_util reset-default (G6/Modern)

Factory reset modern UniFi cameras

ubnt_system_util reset-default

Legacy Camera Factory Reset (G3/G4/G5)

cp /usr/etc/system.cfg /tmp/system.cfg && cfgmtd -w -f /tmp/system.cfg && reboot

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Network Ports Reference

Essential Ingress Ports (to Controller)

Port	Protocol	Service	Required
11443	TCP	UniFi OS Web UI / API	✓ Core
8080	TCP	Device Inform (phone home)	✓ Core
3478	UDP	STUN (NAT traversal)	✓ Core
10001	UDP	Device Discovery (L3)	✓ Core
443	TCP	Remote Access & WebSockets	✓ Remote

Guest Portal & Optional Ports

Port	Protocol	Purpose
8881, 8882, 8880	TCP	Guest Portal HTTP
8444	TCP	Guest Portal HTTPS (preferred)
22	TCP	SSH (⚠️ Lock to admin IP only)
5514	UDP	Remote Syslog (optional)

🚨 Security Critical: SSH port 22 should NEVER be exposed to the internet. Restrict to your admin IP address using firewall rules. Use VPN or SSH tunnel for remote access.

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Common Issues & Troubleshooting (2025/2026)

Device Adoption Failures

Device Not Appearing in Network App

Check: Device is powered on (verify LED lights)
Check: Device is on same network as controller
Check: UDP 10001 is not blocked by firewall
Fix: SSH and manually set inform URL
Fix: Factory reset device and retry adoption

Stuck on “Adopting…” State

Common Cause: Device firmware mismatch with controller
Common Cause: Port 8080 blocked between device and controller
Fix: Reboot device and controller
Fix: Verify controller isn’t overloaded (check CPU)
Fix: Manually upgrade device firmware if versions differ

WiFi Connectivity Issues (Most Common 2025/2026)

Clients Can’t Connect to WiFi / Won’t Stay Connected

Check: SSID is broadcasting (disable “Hide SSID” for testing)
Check: Network is “Enabled” in controller
WiFi 7 Issue: Older devices may not support WPA3. Verify device WiFi generation supports your encryption method
Fix: Forget network on client, reconnect with fresh credentials
Fix: Disable Band Steering temporarily to test (causes dual-band devices to jump between 2.4/5GHz)
Fix: Disable Fast Roaming (802.11r/k/v) if newer devices have issues

Slow WiFi / Low Signal Strength

Diagnosis: Use WiFiman app for Site Survey to identify interference
Diagnosis: Check AirView in controller for overlapping channels
Common Cause: Too many APs on same 2.4GHz channel
Common Cause: WiFi 7 AP uplink bottleneck (needs 2.5GbE+ port, not 1GbE)
Fix: Switch AP to less congested channel (or let AutoSelect decide)
Fix: Increase transmit power from minimum to medium/high
Fix: Enable Band Steering to move devices to 5GHz/6GHz
Fix: Relocate AP away from physical obstructions (metal, walls, windows)

AP / Devices Going Offline

Access Point Repeatedly Goes Offline

Check: PoE injector is supplying power (check LED)
Check: Network cable is secure at both ends
Check: Ping AP from controller: ping [AP_IP]
Check: AP firmware is current version
Fix: Power cycle AP (off 10s, on)
Fix: Update AP firmware via controller
Fix: Re-adopt device if offline > 5 minutes
Fix: Check for network loops (two switches connected together)

Controller Issues

Can’t Access Web UI (11443) / “Service Unavailable”

Check: Controller is powered on (SSH test: ssh ubnt@controller_ip)
Check: Firewall isn’t blocking port 11443 from your client
Check: Disk space available: df -h (must be >10% free)
Check: CPU/RAM usage: free -h
Fix: Restart UniFi OS: unifi-os restart
Fix: Full reboot if service restart fails
Fix: Archive old events to free database space

Web UI Extremely Slow / Database Corruption

Fix: Restart container: unifi-os restart
Fix: Check database size: du -sh /data/unifi
Fix: Archive events in Settings > System > Maintenance
Fix: If corrupted, restore from latest backup

Camera / Protect Issues

Cameras Offline / Not Recording

Check: PoE power delivery (verify on switch)
Check: Ping camera: ssh ubnt@controller ping [camera_ip]
Check: Storage isn’t full: df -h
Fix: Restart Protect service: unifi-os restart
Fix: Power cycle camera (wait 30s, restore power)
Fix: Update camera firmware

Storage Full / Recording Stopped

Check: Available disk space: df -h
Fix: Reduce retention days to free space
Fix: Switch recording to H.265 codec (saves ~40%)
Fix: Use motion detection instead of continuous
Fix: Expand storage with external USB/NAS

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UniFi Access Control & Physical Security

UniFi Door Access System Components

UA-Hub-Door Access Hub

Core controller for one door. PoE powered, supports up to 3 readers, 2 lock outputs, 4 auxiliary inputs (sensors/buttons), 2 AUX outputs (sirens/door opener).

UA-G2 Access Reader G2

NFC card/mobile app reader with built-in intercom and video. Unlock via NFC card, UniFi Identity app, PIN code, or QR code. IP55 weatherproof.

UA-Ultra Access Ultra

Single-door, all-in-one controller. Built-in hub for complete entry control without separate access hub needed. Wave-to-unlock with hand-wave detection.

UA-Blade Smart Blade

Compact second-gen NFC reader. Hand-wave unlock, entry/exit greeting messages, IP55 rating, connects to UA-Hub via PoE.

Lock Hardware (Compatible with Hub)

Electric Strike Lock / Fail-Safe Lock

Holds up to 1,200 kg. ANSI-compliant. Connects to UA-Hub lock terminals (12V relay output).

Magnetic Lock (Fail-Safe)

270 kg or 540 kg variants. Powers lock while current applied; loses power to release. Good for high-security applications.

Auxiliary Devices

UA-Display Intercom Viewer

5″ touchscreen for visitor screening. Pairs with Access Intercom. Two-way audio, instant live view, PoE powered.

UA-Chime Smart Chime

PoE-powered notification device. Up to 80dB speaker. Pairs with doorbell or hub for visitor alerts.

💡 Requirements: UniFi Access requires a UDM Pro or UDM Pro Max for management (running UniFi Access controller). Cannot run on standalone NVR without gateway.

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Network Design & Best Practices (2026)

Small Office Setup (<20 devices)

UDM-SE or UDM Pro as gateway + Protect + routing
1-2x U7 Pro access points for WiFi 7 coverage
UNIFI Pro Max 24 switch (or basic unmanaged switch if budget tight)
Single storage drive (24TB HDD for protection)
2-4x G6 cameras (bullet + instant for WiFi areas)

Medium Business Setup (50-200 devices)

UDM Pro Max as gateway + Protect controller
4-8x U7 Pro / U7 Pro XG access points (mix for coverage + high-traffic areas)
UNIFI Pro Aggregation 10GbE switch for upstream, Pro Max 24 PoE for access
Dedicated NVR (UNVR or UNVR Pro) for protection scaling
8-24x G6 cameras (mix of bullet, turret, dome, instant)
UniFi Access for reception/secure areas (1-3 doors)

Enterprise Setup (500+ devices)

UXG-Max or UXG-Pro as core gateway
20+ U7 APs (enterprise E7 series for critical areas)
Dedicated 10GbE switch infrastructure
ENVR Enterprise NVR for massive camera deployments (70+ cameras)
Redundant storage (RAID 10 configuration)
UniFi Access with RADIUS integration for facility-wide access control
NextDNS or CyberSecure threat filtering

⚠️ 2026 Deployment Tip: WiFi 7 (U7) APs require 2.5GbE or 10GbE switch uplinks to avoid bottlenecking their performance. Don’t pair WiFi 7 APs with 1GbE switches—you’re paying for performance you cannot use.

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Access Point Issues & Solutions

AP Won’t Adopt or Shows “Adopting…”

Symptom: New AP not appearing in Network App

✓ LED status check: Should be flashing white-blue (searching for controller)
✓ Power cycle AP: Wait 30 seconds, check if LED pattern changes
✓ SSH from controller: ping 192.168.1.20 to verify IP reachability
✓ Check firewall: UDP port 10001 must be open between AP and controller
✓ Set inform manually via SSH: ssh ubnt@192.168.1.20 set-inform http://[CONTROLLER_IP]:8080/inform
✓ Verify controller is not overloaded: High CPU prevents adoption processing
✓ Firmware mismatch: Check if AP firmware version is drastically older than controller

Symptom: Stuck on “Adopting…” for 5+ minutes

⚠ Common cause: Port 8080 blocked between AP and controller (firewall/VLAN issue)
⚠ Network loop detected: Check if two switches are connected together
⚠ Controller database issue: Restart UniFi OS: unifi-os restart
⚠ Factory reset AP and retry: Hold reset button 10s until LED goes off
⚠ Different network segment: Use WiFiman app to discover, then SSH set-inform

AP Repeatedly Goes Offline / Disconnects

Troubleshooting Checklist

🔌 PoE Power Issue: Check PoE injector/switch port LED, verify 802.3at minimum 30W
🔌 Ethernet Cable Loose: Disconnect/reconnect both ends, check for damage
📡 High Interference: Use AirView to check for DFS radar on 5GHz channels
🔄 Channel Interference: Switch to DFS channels (116-144, 149-165) or 2.4GHz non-overlapping
🌐 WiFi Loop Detected: Disable WiFi on one AP temporarily, test stability
🔄 Mesh Backhaul Issue: Check if backhaul AP has enough signal from uplink
🔧 Firmware Outdated: Update to latest firmware from controller
💾 Controller Database Issue: Archive old events to free space: Settings > System > Maintenance

WiFi 7 (U7) Specific Issues

U7 AP Shows No 6GHz Band / WPA3 Issues

🚨 6GHz Not Available? Regional restrictions: Check if your country allows 6GHz WiFi
🚨 U7 Lite doesn’t have 6GHz: It’s dual-band only. Use U7 Pro+ for 6GHz band
🚨 Devices won’t connect with WPA3: Legacy device support? Switch to WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode
🚨 WiFi 7 devices see only 2x speed: Uplink is 1GbE, limiting throughput. Upgrade to 2.5GbE switch
🚨 U7 showing low performance vs WiFi 6: May need firmware update. Check for new releases

Slow WiFi / Poor Signal Strength

Step-by-Step Diagnosis

1. Check Client Signal (RSSI): -50 dBm excellent | -65 dBm good | -75 dBm fair | -80 dBm poor
2. Use AirView in Controller: Look for overlapping channels from neighbor APs
3. Check Airtime Usage: High airtime + high interference = channel problem
4. Identify Interference Source: Non-WiFi (microwaves, baby monitors on 2.4GHz) vs WiFi
5. Monitor Throughput: Speed test from affected client, check if limited by uplink vs wireless
6. Check for Rogue Devices: Unknown devices hogging bandwidth? Use Client Insights

Common Fixes

🔧 Switch AP to less crowded channel (AutoSelect often picks suboptimal channels)
🔧 Increase transmit power from minimum to medium/high
🔧 Enable band steering to move dual-band devices away from congested 2.4GHz
🔧 Disable Airtime Fairness if only few devices (helps high-performance clients)
🔧 Relocate AP: away from metal objects, microwave, thick walls
🔧 Check backhaul quality if mesh AP: needs -67 dBm minimum for stable backhaul
🔧 Reduce channel width from 80/160MHz to 40MHz if heavy interference

Client Roaming / WiFi Handoff Problems

Symptom: Devices stick to distant AP instead of nearest one

💡 Enable 802.11k/v in AP settings for faster roaming
💡 Adjust minimum RSSI threshold (default -80 dBm) to -75 dBm to force earlier roaming
💡 Check if Band Steering is too aggressive, forcing 5GHz when 2.4GHz is closer
💡 Disable “Fast Roaming” temporarily to test if it’s causing issues
💡 For iOS: Forget network and reconnect (iPhones cache old AP info)

📹

Camera Issues & Solutions (G6/G5/G4/G3)

Camera Won’t Adopt / Stays Pending

Troubleshooting Steps

🔍 Check LED status: Solid blue = adopted, flashing = searching, off = no power
🔍 Verify PoE is reaching camera: Check switch port LED and power output
🔍 SSH ping test: ssh ubnt@controller ping 192.168.1.20
🔍 Network isolation: Is camera on same VLAN as controller? May need DHCP relay if on different VLAN
🔍 Port 8080 blocked? Check firewall between camera network and Protect
✓ Power cycle camera: Wait 30 seconds for full boot
✓ Manually set inform: ssh ubnt@[CAM_IP] set-inform http://[NVR_IP]:8080/inform
✓ Firmware outdated? Manually upgrade via web UI before adoption
✓ Factory reset if truly stuck: Hold reset button 10 seconds

Camera Offline After Initial Adoption

Symptoms & Causes

⚠️ Intermittent offline (every few hours): PoE power issue, cable problem, or network instability
⚠️ Offline after firmware update: Update not completed. Restart Protect service and device
⚠️ Offline after storage full: Recording stopped, Protect restarting. Free disk space
⚠️ Offline in poor weather: PoE cable damaged, moisture in connector. Check waterproofing
⚠️ Offline after uptime >30 days: Memory leak. Restart camera regularly

Recovery Steps

1️⃣ Power cycle camera (disconnect PoE for 10s)
2️⃣ Check PoE budget on switch: ubnt-systool portstatus
3️⃣ Restart Protect service: unifi-os restart on NVR
4️⃣ Update camera firmware if available
5️⃣ Check cable integrity: Replace if bent/crimped
6️⃣ Move to different PoE port on switch to test
7️⃣ If still offline: Re-adopt from scratch (forget, then readopt)

No Live View / Video Stream Issues

Symptom: Cannot see live video but camera shows “Online”

❌ RTSP Port Blocked: Port 7447 may be blocked. Verify firewall allows device-to-NVR RTSP traffic
❌ High Bitrate Overload: If streaming at 100 Mbps, camera codec switched to lower quality. Check CPU of NVR
❌ Network Loop Detected: Protect disables video if network loop detected. Check switch topology
❌ Camera Codec Issue: If recently changed H.264 ↔️ H.265, codec may not be supported. Revert and retry
❌ Browser Cache Issue: Refresh with Ctrl+Shift+R (hard refresh) to clear cached video

No Recording / Motion Not Triggering

Checklist

💿 Storage Full: Check disk: df -h. Must have >10% free. Delete old recordings or expand storage
💿 Recording Disabled: Check Protect settings – is recording turned ON for this camera?
💿 Motion Detection Threshold Too High: Adjust sensitivity slider (default 50 often too high)
💿 Smart Detection Not Recording: Ensure “Recording on Detection” is enabled, not just alerting
💿 Schedule Issue: Check if recording schedule has this time/day disabled
💿 Codec Mismatch: Check if camera codec (H.264 vs H.265) is supported by NVR firmware

Infrared / Night Vision Issues

IR Not Working or Very Dim

🌙 IR Disabled in Settings: Check camera settings – IR mode may be set to OFF. Switch to AUTO or ALWAYS ON
🌙 IR Range Too Short: G6 can reach 60m. G5 30m. G4 20m. If beyond range, image is dark. Reposition camera
🌙 IR Interference: Other IR sources (heaters, lights) may saturate sensor. Move away if possible
🌙 Glare from IR Reflection: IR bouncing off shiny surfaces. Reposition or adjust angle
🌙 Firmware Out of Date: IR performance improved in newer firmware versions. Update camera

High Bandwidth / Storage Consumption

Camera Uses 100+ Mbps (Filling Storage Too Fast)

💾 Resolution Too High: 4K continuous recording uses ~200GB/month. Consider 2K or motion-only
💾 Codec is H.264 (not H.265): Switch to H.265 to save ~40% storage. Available in camera settings
💾 Frame Rate Excessive: 30fps default. Reduce to 15fps if motion detection sufficient
💾 Bitrate Adaptive Disabled: Enable adaptive bitrate to reduce usage during low-motion periods
💾 Scene Complexity High: Moving trees/shadows cause high bitrate. Check environment
💾 Solution: Enable motion detection recording (not continuous) to save 60-70% storage

AI/Analytics Not Working (Face ID, License Plate, Person Detection)

AI Detection Not Triggering

🤖 AI Key Not Installed: Advanced AI features require UniFi AI Key hardware. Check if purchased
🤖 Detection Disabled in Settings: Protect > Settings > Smart Detection – ensure turned ON for camera
🤖 Face ID Requires Enrollment: You must add known faces to database before system recognizes them
🤖 LPR Region Misconfigured: License Plate Recognition needs correct country/region setting
🤖 NVR CPU Overloaded: AI processing pauses if CPU >90%. Check NVR resources: free -h
🤖 Camera Firmware Outdated: AI features require current firmware. Update G6 cameras for latest accuracy

🖥️

Gateway / Controller Issues (UDM, UDR, UXG, UCG)

Can’t Access Web UI (11443) / Boot Loop

Gateway Won’t Start or Stuck Booting

🔌 No Power LED: Check power supply, try different outlet, verify 12V output with multimeter
🔌 LED Flashing Red: Critical error. Try forced recovery: Hold reset 10s while powered
🔌 LED Flashing Blue Indefinitely: Booting stuck. Wait 5-10 minutes, if persists, reset
🔌 LED Solid Blue but Web UI Won’t Load: UniFi OS starting up. Wait another 3 minutes
⚡ PoE Insufficient: UDM Pro Max needs 95W. UDM Pro 60W. Check if PoE injector rated high enough

Web UI Extremely Slow / “Service Unavailable”

Diagnosis & Recovery

💾 1. Check Disk Space: df -h – must be >10% free. If full, web UI crashes
⚙️ 2. Check CPU/RAM: free -h and ubnt-systool cputemp – high temp/memory = slowness
🔄 3. Restart UniFi OS: unifi-os restart – often fixes temporary hangs
📊 4. Archive Events: Settings > System > Maintenance > Archive Events (frees database space)
🗑️ 5. Clear Browser Cache: Ctrl+Shift+Del, clear all, then reload https://[IP]:11443
🔧 6. Full Reboot: If restart doesn’t work, power off 30 seconds then power on
⚠️ 7. Database Corruption Suspected? Restore from backup if available

High CPU Temperature / Thermal Throttling

UDM Running Hot (>80°C)

🌡️ Check Temperature: ubnt-systool cputemp
🌡️ Causes: Heavy video processing, large deployment, poor ventilation
🌡️ Solutions:

• Ensure rack has proper airflow (front intake, rear exhaust)
• Reduce number of 4K cameras or switch to 2K/H.265
• Disable AI processing if not needed (saves ~15% CPU)
• Consider moving Protect to dedicated NVR (UNVR Pro) to offload UDM
• Check for runaway process: top command shows per-process CPU

Storage / NVR Issues on Gateway

Protect Storage Full / Disk Errors

💿 Disk Full Alert: Cameras stopped recording. Check: df -h
💿 Solutions (Priority Order):

1. Reduce retention days (e.g., 7 days instead of 30)
2. Switch cameras to H.265 codec (saves 40%)
3. Enable motion-only recording instead of continuous
4. Remove old/unused camera footage
5. Add external USB drive or NAS for overflow storage
6. Upgrade internal drive to larger capacity

⚠️ S.M.A.R.T. Errors? Drive failing. Backup data immediately and replace

Remote Access / Cloud Connectivity Issues

Can’t Access Gateway from Remote Location

🌐 Cloud Access Disabled? Settings > Control Plane > Console > Remote Access toggle must be ON
🌐 Not Signed into UI.com Account? Sign out/sign back in: Settings > Account
🌐 Outbound HTTPS Blocked: Gateway must reach unifi.ui.com on port 443. Check ISP firewall
🌐 Test Connectivity: curl -I https://unifi.ui.com from gateway SSH
🌐 Cloud Service Down? Check status.ui.com for service status
🌐 Local Access Works but Remote Doesn’t? May be ISP blocking inbound. Use VPN as workaround

PoE Budget Exceeded (Switch/Gateway)

Some Devices Not Getting Power

⚡ Symptoms: Some APs work, others don’t. Cameras intermittently restart
⚡ Calculate Total Power Need: Each device shows wattage. U7 Pro Max = 95W, G6 camera = 25W
⚡ Check Switch PoE Budget: Pro Max 24 = 370W total | Pro 24 = 195W total
⚡ Solutions:

• Prioritize PoE ports: Connect cameras to first ports, APs to later ports
• Use separate PoE injectors for high-power devices (UPS-powered)
• Upgrade to larger PoE switch (aggregation 10GbE has more power)
• Reduce power consumption: Switch APs to lower transmit power, cameras to 2K

🔗

Network & VLAN Issues

Device Not Getting IP Address / DHCP Not Working

Device Shows 192.168.1.20 (Fallback IP)

🔍 Is DHCP Enabled? Check: Settings > Networks > DHCP toggle must be ON
🔍 DHCP Scope Too Small? Default scope may be exhausted. Expand range in DHCP settings
🔍 Device on Different VLAN? If VLAN configured, device may not reach DHCP server. Check VLAN assignments
🔍 Port Tagging Misconfigured? Untagged port should be on correct native VLAN
🔍 Rogue DHCP Server? Another device on network is issuing IPs. Identify and disable
🔍 Check Logs: Settings > System > Logs – look for DHCP errors

Network Loop / Devices Flapping

Symptom: Devices go offline then online repeatedly

⚠️ Root Cause: Two switches connected together (usually by accident during install)
⚠️ How to Find Loop:

1. Check switch port status: ubnt-systool portstatus
2. Unplug cables one by one from affected switch
3. When flapping stops, you found the loop
4. Look at downstream switch – one cable connects back to primary

⚠️ Solution: Remove the cable creating the loop OR enable Spanning Tree (STP) on switches

VLAN Configuration Issues

Devices on VLAN Can’t Reach Controller / Each Other

🔀 Port Tagging Wrong: Verify port is tagged for correct VLAN. Untagged access must be native VLAN
🔀 DHCP/Gateway Not on VLAN: Devices on VLAN need DHCP relay or DHCP server in their VLAN
🔀 Firewall Rules Blocking: Even on same VLAN, firewall may block traffic between subnets
🔀 Controller Management IP: Controller must be accessible from all VLANs. Check routing
🔀 Test Connectivity: SSH to device, ping controller IP: ping [CONTROLLER_IP]
🔀 Enable DHCP Relay: If DHCP server not in VLAN, configure DHCP relay agent on gateway

DNS / Routing Issues

Devices Can’t Reach External URLs / DNS Not Resolving

📡 Check DNS Settings: Settings > Networks > DNS servers – verify at least one working DNS listed
📡 Test From Device: ssh ubnt@device nslookup google.com
📡 Router Gateway Issue? If on gateway, check: Settings > Internet > Primary gateway configured
📡 Firewall Blocking 53? DNS uses port 53 UDP. Verify firewall allows outbound DNS
📡 NextDNS Conflicts? If NextDNS installed, check it’s not blocking legitimate queries
📡 Solution: Use reliable DNS: 8.8.8.8 (Google), 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare), 208.67.222.222 (OpenDNS)

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Tools, Calculators & Resources

IT Pro Expert Tools & Calculators

🧮 UniFi Protect Storage Calculator

Calculate exact storage needs for your Protect deployment. Input camera count, resolution, FPS, retention days.

Open Calculator →

📋 UniFi Protect CCTV System Comparison

Complete comparison of all UNVR models, UDM variants, camera limits, and storage specifications.

View Comparison →

🎥 CCTV Installation & Setup Guide

Professional guide to choosing, placing, and configuring UniFi cameras for optimal coverage and performance.

Read Guide →

Official Ubiquiti Resources

Official UniFi Network Application

Cloud: unifi.ui.com | Download: ui.com/download

WiFiman (Site Survey & Discovery)

Download from: wifi.ui.com | Available: iOS, Android, Web, macOS, Windows

Ubiquiti Support & Documentation

Help: help.ui.com | Firmware: ui.com/download | Store: store.ui.com

UniFi Resource Calculator

Estimate hardware requirements: ui.com/cloud-gateways/resource-calculator

Community & Support

Ubiquiti Community Forum

community.ui.com – Active community for troubleshooting and questions

Status Page

status.ui.com – Check cloud service availability

🔧 UniFi Support Tools & Comprehensive Cheat Sheet

Ubiquiti UniFi Specialists