How to Fix the 'Recording Failed' Error on Aiphone Systems
The ability to record video from your Aiphone video intercom is a key security feature. When you see a "Recording Failed" or "Storage Error" message, it means the system is unable to save clips, leaving you without a record of visitors or events.
This guide provides a professional, step-by-step process to help you diagnose and solve this common problem. In most cases, the issue is related to the SD card used for storage. We'll use clear, helpful instructions in British English.
Common Symptoms of a Recording Failure
The problem can manifest in several ways on your Aiphone master station:
- A clear "Recording Failed" or "Storage Error" message is displayed on the screen.
- The system does not save any new video clips when a call is initiated from the door station.
- The SD card is not recognised by the system, or the storage capacity shows as zero.
- You are unable to play back previously recorded videos, or they appear corrupted.
- Recording is intermittent, with some events being saved while others are missed.
- The system's format function fails when you try to format the SD card via the monitor's interface.
These symptoms almost always point to an issue with the local storage medium.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Follow these steps in a logical order to find and fix the root cause of the recording failure.
1. Power Cycle the Master Station
Before taking anything apart, try a simple reboot. This can sometimes resolve temporary software glitches.
- Disconnect the power: Turn off the power supply to your Aiphone master monitor.
- Wait: Leave the unit without power for at least 60 seconds to ensure it fully resets.
- Reconnect power: Turn the power back on and wait for the system to initialise completely. Check if the error message has disappeared.
2. Check the SD Card's Compatibility
Not all SD cards are created equal. Video intercoms require specific types of cards for reliable operation.
- Consult the Manual: Refer to the user manual for your specific Aiphone model (e.g., JO Series, JP Series). It will specify the maximum supported capacity (e.g., 32GB) and the required speed class (e.g., Class 10).
- Use a High-Endurance Card: Standard SD cards are not designed for the constant rewriting that a security device performs. You should always use a 'High-Endurance' or 'Industrial' grade microSD card from a reputable brand. These are specifically built for this purpose.
3. Reformat the SD Card
If the card's file system has become corrupted, the Aiphone system will be unable to write to it. Formatting will erase all data and create a fresh file system.
- Remove the SD card: Power down the master station and carefully remove the microSD card.
- Format on a computer: Insert the card into a computer using an SD card adapter.
- On Windows, right-click the card in 'This PC' and choose 'Format'.
- On a Mac, use the 'Disk Utility' application.
- Choose the 'FAT32' file system. This is the most common format required by embedded devices like intercoms.
- Re-insert and test: Place the formatted card back into the Aiphone unit, power it on, and see if it can now record.
4. Test with a New SD Card
SD cards have a limited lifespan and they can fail, especially if they are not high-endurance models. If formatting the card did not work, the next logical step is to replace it.
- Purchase a new, compatible card: Ensure the new card meets the specifications in your Aiphone manual.
- Install and test: Install the new card in your master station. The system may prompt you to format the new card. Proceed with the format and then test the recording function.
This step resolves the vast majority of "Recording Failed" errors. If a brand new, compatible card does not fix the issue, it may indicate a rarer hardware fault with the SD card slot on the master station itself, which would require professional service.