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An Outdoor Life report published Nov. 7, 2026, draws on trail-camera testing and advice from Trail Cam Pro’s Rich Howell to explain common field failures. The causes include inadequate batteries, frequent cellular uploads, damaged or poorly positioned solar panels, and stock mounting straps; the report says no brand is immune to malfunctions.
Trail cameras can fail in the field regardless of brand, and common problems include weak power, settings that drain batteries, damaged solar-panel wiring and unstable mounts, according to an Outdoor Life report published Nov. 7. Drawing on more than 20 years of testing by Trail Cam Pro’s Rich Howell, the report says hunters can reduce some failures by changing battery and upload practices, while other issues depend on equipment and conditions.
Battery problems can produce misleading symptoms. Howell says standard alkaline batteries may not supply enough power for reliable operation. One possible sign is a camera that takes daytime photos but produces blank or black images at night, when the flash needs power. A camera’s displayed battery level may still look adequate. Howell also observed that roughly one in 20 lithium batteries he encountered failed quickly, sometimes within days; that observation is his testing experience, not a rate established for every brand or battery batch. He recommends rechargeable lithium batteries, with spare batteries kept in rotation.
Cellular upload settings can affect how often a camera uses power. Hunters may initially set cameras to send images immediately, but Howell recommends batching transmissions every 12 or 24 hours to conserve battery life. The report’s writer says a 24-hour schedule also makes it easier to review activity across several cameras together. The suggested schedule is guidance, not a guarantee that a camera will last a particular amount of time.
Solar panels and mounting straps can create separate reliability and setup problems. Panels may help power a camera, but Howell says they need suitable sun exposure and can be damaged when squirrels chew their wires. He notes that a south-facing panel may not be practical when the camera must point north. Stock straps can loosen or make precise positioning difficult; the report describes adjustable tree mounts as an alternative, particularly where a less conspicuous setup matters on public land.
Small Setup Choices, Fewer Failures
A failed camera can leave hunters without the images they use to track animal activity and decide when or where to hunt. Power and setup problems may be preventable, but the report does not suggest that every outage can be fixed by changing settings: a defective battery, damaged wire or other hardware fault can still stop a camera.
The guidance also has practical trade-offs. Sending images less often may preserve power, but it means hunters do not receive each photo immediately. Solar panels can reduce reliance on battery changes when conditions suit them, but they require placement that captures sunlight and wiring that remains intact. Hunters can use the advice to troubleshoot likely causes without treating it as a guarantee of uninterrupted operation.
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Field Testing Behind the Advice
The article is a service report, not a notice of a newly discovered defect or a formal industry-wide failure study. Its author says they have tested and operated trail cameras year-round for several years and that failures are not limited to one manufacturer. The report’s central source is Rich Howell of Trail Cam Pro, who has tested and experimented with trail cameras for more than 20 years, according to the article.
Outdoor Life says the author discussed camera failures with Howell on the publication’s podcast. The report presents his observations and recommendations alongside the author’s field experience. It does not provide controlled comparisons across every camera model, battery type or operating condition, so individual results may differ.
“Standard alkaline batteries often don’t have the required power to keep a trail camera running reliably.”
— Rich Howell of Trail Cam Pro, as quoted and paraphrased in the Outdoor Life report
Limits of the Field Observations
The report does not establish how frequently each problem occurs across the trail-camera market. Howell’s estimate that about one in 20 lithium batteries failed quickly is based on his experience; the article does not specify a sample size, time period or comparison with other battery types. It also provides no controlled test showing how much a 12- or 24-hour upload schedule extends battery life.
It is not clear whether any particular camera model or manufacturer is more prone to failure, or how much weather, temperature and individual settings contribute to outages. The article offers troubleshooting guidance rather than a diagnosis for a specific camera. A camera that remains offline after battery, settings, wiring and mounting checks may have another fault that requires manufacturer support or further testing.
Checks Before the Next Hunt
Hunters can start by checking battery type and condition, then test whether image quality changes at night. They can review cellular transmission intervals, inspect solar-panel orientation and wiring, and make sure the camera is firmly positioned with a mount suited to the tree and viewing angle. Testing the setup before relying on it can help reveal problems before a camera is left unattended.
Outdoor Life points readers to Trail Cam Pro’s website and newsletter for additional camera information. The report does not announce a new product, recall or formal follow-up test. Whether the suggested changes solve an individual outage will depend on the camera, its condition and the location where it is operating.
Key Questions
Why does my trail camera take daytime photos but fail at night?
Insufficient battery power is one possible cause, according to Rich Howell of Trail Cam Pro. Nighttime flash use may demand more power even if the camera’s battery indicator appears adequate. The report recommends checking batteries, but this symptom alone does not prove the batteries are the only problem.
How often should a cellular trail camera send photos?
Howell recommends considering batches every 12 or 24 hours instead of immediate transmission, which may help conserve power. The report does not give a guaranteed battery-life improvement; the best interval depends on how quickly the user needs images and the camera’s setup.
Are solar panels enough to keep a trail camera running?
Not necessarily. The report says panels can help, but they need suitable sun exposure and their wires can be chewed by squirrels. Placement can also be difficult when the camera’s direction and the panel’s preferred exposure do not align.
What is the problem with a camera’s stock strap?
Outdoor Life says stock straps may loosen and can make it difficult to position a camera precisely. Howell recommends an adjustable tree mount as an alternative; the article also notes that a strap may be easier for other people to spot on public land.
Source: outdoorlife.com
