This is the single most common complaint in every trail camera forum thread. Blank or completely black images almost always trace back to one of three causes:

At night: The IR illuminator range is shorter than the distance to the subject. If an animal is 25 meters away and your camera's rated IR range is 20 meters, the image will be black. Check your camera's rated illumination range and compare it to where animals are actually appearing. Reposition the camera closer, or upgrade to a model with longer IR range.

During the day: A completely white (overexposed) image typically means the camera is facing directly into the sun at sunrise or sunset. Orient the camera to face north (in the northern hemisphere) to avoid direct sun angles across all seasons.

Any time: Check for obstructions on the IR LED array or lens — spiderwebs, mud, and condensation are common culprits. Clean the lens and LED window before each deployment.