How to Troubleshoot an Amcrest Camera That Is Not Recording
An Amcrest security camera is a powerful tool, but it's only effective if it's properly recording footage. If you've run into an issue where your camera has stopped recording to its Micro SD card or your Amcrest NVR, this guide will provide the solutions you need.
Recording failures are typically linked to one of three things: a problem with the storage medium (the SD card or hard drive), an issue with the recording configuration and schedule, or incorrect motion detection settings.
## Step 1: Diagnose the Storage Medium (SD Card / NVR Hard Drive)
The first and most important step is to check the health of your storage.
### For Cameras Using a Micro SD Card:
- Access the Web User Interface (Web UI): The most effective way to manage an Amcrest camera is through its web UI. Find your camera's IP address and log in using a web browser.
- Check SD Card Status: Navigate to Setup -> Storage -> Destination. In the 'Path' tab, you should see your SD card listed. The 'Status' should read 'Normal'. If it shows 'Error', 'Unformatted', or is not present, there is a problem with the card.
- Format the SD Card: Select the SD card from the list and click 'Format'. This is a critical step. The camera needs to format the card itself to create the correct file system. Be aware, this will erase all footage currently on the card.
- Use a High-Endurance Card: If the card continues to fail, it may be worn out or incompatible. Standard SD cards are not designed for the constant writing of a security camera. It is highly recommended to use a 'High-Endurance' Micro SD card specifically designed for this purpose.
### For Amcrest NVRs/DVRs:
- Check Hard Drive (HDD) Status: Log in to your NVR's interface. Go to the main menu and find the Storage or HDD settings.
- Verify Status: The hard drive should be listed with a status of 'Normal'. If not, it may need to be initialised.
- Initialise the Drive: Similar to formatting, an NVR needs to initialise the hard drive. There will be an option to do this in the storage menu. This will erase all data on the drive.
## Step 2: Configure Your Recording Settings
Once you've confirmed your storage is healthy, you need to tell the camera when to record.
- Access the Schedule Settings: In the Web UI, navigate to Setup -> Storage -> Schedule.
- Set the Recording Type: You will see a timeline for each day of the week. You can set up different recording types:
- General (Green): This is for continuous, 24/7 recording.
- Motion (Yellow): This will only record when motion is detected.
- Alarm (Red): This records when an external alarm is triggered.
- Enable the Schedule: To set a schedule, click the 'Setting' button. Check the boxes for the days you want, and select 'All Day' or specify time periods. Choose the type of recording (e.g., General and Motion). Then, use your mouse to paint the timeline with the corresponding colours. Click 'Save'.
## Step 3: Set Up Motion Detection
If you are using motion-based recording (yellow schedule), you must enable and configure motion detection.
- Enable Video Detection: Go to Setup -> Event -> Video Detection.
- Motion Detect Tab: Check the box for 'Enable'.
- Set the Region: By default, the entire screen is monitored. Click 'Region' under 'Working Period' to draw specific areas where you want the camera to look for motion. This is useful for ignoring trees blowing in the wind or public footpaths.
- Set Sensitivity and Threshold: Adjust the 'Sensitivity' and 'Threshold' sliders. Higher sensitivity will detect smaller movements.
- Link to Recording: Crucially, under the 'Record Channel' option, check the box for the channel you want to record (e.g., channel 1). This tells the camera to trigger a recording when motion is detected. Click 'Save'.
By ensuring your storage is correctly formatted, your schedule is set, and your motion detection rules are properly configured, you can resolve nearly all recording issues with your Amcrest camera.