08/21/2020

PoE Devices | Troubleshooting Power

TOPICS: Device Power, Troubleshooting

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) allows devices such as TEKVOX’s TEK3 TekMonitor to be powered via the same cable that provides them a network connection. If your PoE-capable equipment does not power on correctly, there are several steps you can try to identify and fix the problem.

Check Ethernet Cables

  • The heads of Ethernet cables (RJ45) are mostly composed of plastic, and can be prone to breaking. Check to make sure that the small tab used to unplug the cable is present and undamaged at both ends of the cable. If this tab is broken or missing, the cable will not maintain a consistent connection, and needs to be replaced.
  • Check that both ends of the cable are plugged in fully. Ethernet cables can appear to be connected without being fully plugged into a port. Gently press the cable into the port to ensure that it is seated properly.
  • Confirm that all cables are plugged in to the correct ports. Mis-wiring errors are most common when passing through a wall plate, where cables can get mixed up easily, and when connecting to any device with multiple RJ45 ports. Be mindful that HDBaseT and LAN connections use the same connector, but plugging either into the wrong place can cause serious damage to connected equipment.

Check Presence of PoE

  • Not all network connections are PoE capable, and so not just any network port will power a PoE device. Use a network tester to confirm that the network in question is active, and that it is capable of providing power to PoE devices. If it is not, the device will need to be moved to a PoE-capable port, or will need to use an external power supply for power.

Test Equipment in Similar System

  • If one is available, replace a known working device of the same model with the one you suspect is malfunctioning.
  • If the problem follows the suspect device, it’s likely that it has failed.

If none of these approaches gives a clear indication of the source of the problem, contact support@www.tekvox.com with as many details as possible about the problem and the troubleshooting steps you took.


Once you have followed these steps to determine the source of the problem in your system, submit an RMA request for the failed component, making sure to include a full description of the problem.