---
title: "Zombie Alarm Handling (No Image Alarms)"
source: /gcxone/features/zombie-alarm-handling-no-image-alarms
locale: en
updated: 2026-09-08
---
## **What Zombie Alarm Handling Does**

During alarm processing, if an alarm takes more than 120 seconds to be processed, it is classified as a zombie alarm. Zombie Alarm Handling ensures operators receive clear feedback when alarm images fail to load due to extended processing times, instead of leaving them with a blank or unresponsive screen.

## **Why It Matters**

Without clear feedback, operators waste time waiting for images that will never load — slowing incident response and creating confusion. Zombie Alarm Handling eliminates that ambiguity by immediately surfacing a clear message and directing operators to take the right action.

## **How It Works**

When an alarm exceeds the 120-second processing threshold:

- Alarm images for such events will not be available.
- Upon opening a zombie alarm, the quad will display the message: **"No image available".**
- An error message will also be shown: **"Device is slow due to bandwidth. Please contact your administrator."**

![image](/api/media/file/c53e48e8bc2a405ac5d5c280a44240f087f8a816-1333x584.png)

## **Key Capabilities**

### Zombie Alarm Classification

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Classification Threshold | 120 seconds |
| Maximum Event Processing Duration | 120 seconds (default; not configurable) |
| Quad Display Message | "No image available" |
| Error Message | "Device is slow due to bandwidth. Please contact your administrator." |

### New Information Icon in Salvo Quad

A new information icon is displayed in the Salvo quad. Upon clicking this icon, users can view detailed information about the corresponding alarm — providing easier access to alarm details directly from the Salvo view during alarm monitoring.

![](/api/media/file/51f58ca511a6d249a90c699b20c97c0c7b086e1d-1331x586.png)

![The Alarm Information panel listing the alarm's headers — camera, customer, device, motion and object tags, processing duration, site and technical fields — with their values obscured.](/api/media/file/0db55bdb31be351b62fc714719fbf67ce7572785-434x428.png)

## **Real-World Use Cases**

- An alarm triggers on a site with poor bandwidth — the operator immediately sees "No image available" and contacts the administrator instead of waiting indefinitely for footage to load.
- An operator reviewing alarms in Salvo Quad clicks the information icon to view full alarm details without leaving the current view.

## **Best Practices**

- If zombie alarms appear frequently on a specific device, escalate to the administrator immediately — repeated zombie alarms indicate a persistent bandwidth or connectivity issue.
- Use the information icon in Salvo Quad to review alarm details before escalating — it provides context without requiring screen switching.
- Contact your administrator when the "Device is slow due to bandwidth" message appears — the Maximum Event Processing Duration threshold is not configurable and requires infrastructure-level resolution.