Quick Answer: It depends on your camera type. For Australian homes, wired and plug-in cameras stop the moment power cuts out. Battery-powered and solar-powered wireless security cameras keep running independently, as long as they have charge. If your router also loses power, remote app access is disrupted, but local recording continues.
A storm rolls through. The lights flicker, then go dark. Your first thought is whether your home is still being watched.
What Happens to Your Security Cameras When the Power Goes Out?
When grid power fails, it takes down everything connected to it: your router, modem, NVR or DVR recorder, and any plug-in devices on the circuit.
Plug-in Cameras Go Completely Offline
Traditional wired CCTV cameras and plug-in wireless cameras both draw power from your mains supply. The moment electricity cuts out, they stop recording, stop detecting motion, and stop sending alerts. Even cameras marketed as "wireless" still rely on a wall socket for power if they are not battery-operated.
Your Router Loses Power Too
In Australia, NBN connections depend on powered equipment at your premises. No electricity means no NBN, which means no internet. Even if your camera runs on battery, you lose the ability to check live footage remotely via your app when the router goes down.
Outage Risk Goes Up
Opportunistic break-ins spike during power outages. A property with visible cameras that suddenly go dark is a clear signal to anyone watching.
Which Types of Security Cameras Keep Working Without Power?
Battery-powered and solar-powered wireless security cameras are the only types that continue operating and recording without mains power. Wired and plug-in cameras stop completely.
| Camera Type | Stays On During Outage? | Continues Recording? | Remote App Access? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wired / Plug-in | No | No | No |
| Battery-powered wireless | Yes | Yes, to local storage | No, if router is down |
| Solar-powered wireless | Yes | Yes, to local storage | No, if router is down |
Remote access depends on whether your router stays online, not on the camera itself.
Wired and Plug-in Cameras
These stop working immediately when power fails. They have no independent power source, so there is no recording and no coverage until electricity returns.
Battery-Powered Wireless Cameras
These keep working during an outage because they run on rechargeable internal batteries, independent of the grid. A fully charged battery camera continues detecting motion and saving footage to local storage. In motion-activated mode, many wireless outdoor security cameras last weeks to months per charge.
Solar-Powered Wireless Cameras
These keep working during an outage because the built-in solar panel charges the internal battery during daylight hours. The camera runs continuously as long as there is sufficient daily sunlight, with no reliance on mains power at any point.
How Do Battery and Solar Cameras Handle Outages?
Local Storage Keeps Recording Without Wi-Fi
These cameras save footage directly to onboard storage, such as a microSD card or a connected HomeBase, so recording continues even without a network connection.
Because storage is local, there are no monthly subscription fees required to keep recording — footage stays yours, stored on-device.
Once the internet returns, footage saved during the outage is accessible through the eufy app. On SoloCam and Outdoor Cam models with a microSD card, recordings sync to the app automatically. On eufyCam systems with HomeBase, footage stays in local storage and is viewable via the app once connectivity is restored.
Remote App Access Stops If Your Router Loses Power
If your router loses power, live footage is not accessible through your app regardless of camera type. A mobile data router with its own battery, or a security hub with cellular failover, keeps remote access active during a blackout.
Motion Detection Still Works, But Alerts Are Delayed
AI detection runs locally on the device and continues during an outage. Push notifications require an active internet connection, so alerts only reach your phone once the router comes back online.
What Happens If the Battery Runs Out
A fully drained battery camera stops recording until recharged. Solar-powered models reduce this risk by maintaining charge through daylight hours.
How to Prepare Your Security System for Power Outages
Follow these steps to keep your home protected when the grid goes down.
Step 1: Replace outdoor plug-in cameras with battery or solar models.
Outdoor cameras are most exposed during an outage. A battery security camera runs on its own rechargeable battery, so it keeps recording even when the grid goes down. A solar-powered wireless security camera goes a step further: it charges itself using sunlight, so you do not need to worry about battery levels at all.
If you want a solar option built for Australian outdoor conditions, the eufy SoloCam S340 runs continuously on just two hours of daily sunlight and holds up to three months of battery reserve as backup. See the full range of eufy outdoor wireless security cameras.
Step 2: Enable local storage on every camera.
Go into each camera's settings and confirm it records to onboard storage, such as a built-in memory chip, microSD card, or locally connected base station. Cloud-only setups lose all recording capability when the internet drops.
Step 3: Connect your router and NVR to a UPS.
A small Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) keeps your router and recorder running after the grid fails. A basic UPS can power a home router for one to several hours, which covers most short outages.
Step 4: Check battery levels every month.
Open your camera app and review battery levels monthly, especially before storm season. Most apps display current battery percentage and send low-battery alerts automatically.
Step 5: Add a mobile data router for remote access.
If you need to view live footage during a blackout, a 4G/5G mobile router with its own battery keeps your cameras connected when the NBN goes down. This is especially useful for rental properties, small businesses, or high-risk locations. For broader tips on keeping your home monitored during extended absences, see our guide on protecting your home on holiday.
Stay Protected with eufy: Security That Works Without Power
Plug-in cameras go offline with the grid. Battery and solar-powered wireless security cameras keep recording regardless, making them the most resilient choice for Australian homes dealing with summer storms, grid faults, and NBN disruptions. With local storage and zero monthly fees, your footage stays protected without ongoing costs. Pair them with local storage and a UPS on your router, and your system stays active no matter what the grid does. The OAIC security camera guidelines are worth reviewing to ensure your setup remains compliant with Australian privacy law as you expand your coverage. Explore eufy's full range of solar and battery-powered cameras at eufy.com/au.
FAQs
Q1: Can a solar security camera work at night during a power outage?
Yes, a solar security camera can work at night during a power outage. Solar-powered wireless security cameras store energy in a built-in rechargeable battery during the day. At night or during an outage, the camera draws on that stored battery charge. It continues recording and detecting motion without any mains power connection.
Q2: Will I lose recorded footage if the power goes out?
No, you will not lose recorded footage if your camera uses local storage. Cameras that record to onboard memory, a microSD card, or a locally connected base station save footage independently of the internet and mains power. Cloud-only setups will not save new recordings during an outage. Always confirm your camera has a local storage option enabled.
Q3: Do I need Wi-Fi for my battery security camera to record during an outage?
No, you do not need Wi-Fi for a battery security camera to record during an outage. Battery-powered and solar-powered wireless security cameras record directly to local storage without an active Wi-Fi connection. Wi-Fi is only needed for remote app viewing and push notifications.
Q4: How long does a battery security camera last during a power outage?
A battery security camera typically lasts weeks to months during a power outage when running in motion-activated mode. Exact battery life varies by model, recording frequency, and temperature. Solar-powered models can run indefinitely by recharging during daylight hours. Check the product specifications for your specific camera model for exact figures.
Q5: Can I view my wireless security camera remotely during a blackout?
You can only view your wireless security camera remotely during a blackout if your internet connection stays active. If your router loses power, remote app access stops even if the camera runs on battery. To maintain remote access, connect your router to a UPS or use a 4G/5G mobile data router with its own battery backup.
