Keep a Laptop Awake for Camera Monitoring

Before a monitoring session

• Place the device on a stable, ventilated surface with a clear view.
• Use reliable power where appropriate, without creating a cable or electrical hazard.
• Keep the detector tab open in the foreground and start monitoring explicitly.
• Check the camera preview, zones, threshold, and local alert choices before leaving the device.
• Reduce brightness when practical to limit unnecessary screen wear, while keeping the device usable and safe.

What stops monitoring

Closing the tab or browser, closing a laptop lid, sleeping, hibernating, powering off, losing camera access, or disconnecting the camera stops monitoring. A screen lock, background tab, or another app can also change camera or processing behaviour depending on the browser and operating system.

When monitoring seems to pause

1. Return to the open detector tab and check its status.
2. Confirm the device did not sleep, lock, or lose power.
3. Check that the camera is still connected and not being used by another app.
4. Restart the local camera session if the browser reports that access ended.
5. Retest the camera after a browser or device update.

Set realistic expectations

Browser notifications can be useful local alerts, but they do not turn Rapid Cactus into background monitoring. Browser and operating-system power behaviour changes over time, so use your device’s current documentation for any personal power settings and do not disable all security or locking protections.