Table of Contents
TetherBox Troubleshooting
This guide helps you diagnose TetherBox issues using the status page. Go to Admin → TetherBoxes → click your unit to view diagnostics.
Tip: The status page shows real-time system health, drive status, network performance, and resource usage. Most issues can be identified here before contacting support.
Tip: Enable the Health Report to receive regular email summaries of issues across all your TetherBoxes and Cameras. Configure frequency in your notification settings.
System Status
The top section shows six key health indicators:
| Indicator | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Online Status | Connection to TetherX cloud - green (healthy), yellow (online with issues), red (offline). Click for details. |
| Health | Overall system health - Good, Warning, or Critical |
| Drive Health | Storage drive status - age, errors, or warnings |
| Network | Latency and packet loss to TetherX servers |
| Local Capacity | Estimated days of recording before oldest footage is overwritten |
| Cloud Backup | Cloud recording status and sync health |
Warning: Red badges indicate issues requiring immediate attention. Yellow badges are warnings that may be serious and should be investigated.
TetherBox is Offline
If your TetherBox shows as offline, see TetherBox Went Offline for step-by-step diagnosis including power checks, network testing, and how to submit an offline report with boot video.
Drive Issues
The Drive Health indicator shows:
- Errors (red) - Confirmed drive faults detected via SMART monitoring. Replace the drive.
- Warning (yellow) - Potential issues detected. Monitor closely and plan replacement.
- Check Logs (yellow) - System logs show I/O errors though SMART reports healthy. Investigate further.
- Ejected (red) - Drive stopped responding and was forcibly ejected. Check connections or replace drive.
- Age - Drives over 3 years show yellow, over 4 years show red.
Tip: Click the Drive Health badge to see detailed tooltips. Open the Storage tab for full drive information including SMART data and error logs.
See Storage for drive setup and replacement guidance.
Performance Issues
The Performance & Network section shows resource usage:
| Metric | Normal | Warning | Critical |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Under 80% | 80-90% | Above 90% |
| Memory | Under 80% | 80-90% | Above 90% |
| Load | Under 4.0 | 4.0-8.0 | Above 8.0 |
| IO Wait | Under 15% | 15-20% | Above 20% |
| CPU Temp | Under 70°C | 70-79°C | Above 79°C |
| Drive Temp | Under 55°C | 55-65°C | Above 65°C |
Warning: Sustained high CPU, memory, or IO wait indicates the TetherBox is overloaded. This causes recording gaps and slow response. Consider reducing camera resolution, frame rate, or the number of cameras.
High temperatures suggest ventilation problems. Ensure the unit has adequate airflow and isn't in direct sunlight or enclosed spaces.
Network Issues
The Network indicator shows latency and packet loss between the TetherBox and TetherX servers:
- Green - Excellent connection (low latency, no packet loss)
- Yellow - Degraded connection affecting video streaming
- Red - Severe issues causing buffering, delays, or disconnections
The Network Information section shows:
- External IP address
- Gateway address
- Internet speed (run a speed test)
- LAN interface speeds and IP addresses
Tip: LAN speeds below 1000 Mbps show in red. Gigabit networking is recommended for multiple cameras.
State Issues
If your TetherBox is stuck in a particular state (Starting, Updating, Restarting), see TetherBox States for expected durations and troubleshooting steps.
Camera Issues
For cameras not recording, showing offline, or displaying incorrectly, see Camera Troubleshooting. Camera issues are often caused by:
- Network connectivity between TetherBox and camera
- Camera authentication failures
- Incorrect stream configuration
Still Need Help?
If the status page doesn't reveal the issue:
- Check the Reboots tab for recent restart patterns
- Check the Connections tab for connection history
- Note any error messages or unusual readings
- Contact us with the TetherBox serial number and screenshots of the status page
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