Camera not detected – no image found in CatWalk XT
Last updated: Nov 01, 2026
Problem
CatWalk XT cannot find or display the camera image. The camera image is absent even though the control unit may be detected, or drivers cannot be uploaded during camera detection.
Details
This is distinct from post-update camera detection failure (already covered in existing KB). Causes include: camera or control unit not powered on; loose or incorrectly connected cables; network cable plugged into wrong PC port; driver installation performed under an administrator account preventing a standard user from accessing the camera; or administrative rights missing during driver upload (#3545).
Solution
1. **Verify power:** Confirm the Control Unit is powered on (the camera receives power through the Control Unit). Check that power indicator lights on both the Control Unit and camera are active.
2. **Check all cables:** Ensure both the network cable and power cable from the camera are fully seated. The network cable from the camera must be connected to the correct labeled Ethernet port on the PC (a green link light should appear on the network adapter).
3. **Driver installation permissions:** If drivers cannot be uploaded, make sure you are using a Windows account with administrative rights *only for the installation step*. After installation, run the CatWalk XT software from a standard (non-admin) user account. If installation was previously completed under an admin account and the software was first launched as admin, the configuration files may be owned by that account. In this case, reinstall the software while logged in as a standard user with temporarily elevated permissions, or contact Noldus support.
4. **Power cycle:** Power off the walkway and PC, then restart the walkway first (wait 1–2 minutes), then start the PC and launch CatWalk XT.
5. **Refresh camera detection:** In CatWalk XT, use the camera detection/refresh option in the software after the walkway has fully initialized.
6. If the camera is still not found after these steps, contact Noldus support to check hardware and network adapter configuration.