How to Fix Amcrest 'Recording Failed' Errors: A Complete Guide
An 'Amcrest recording failed' notification is a frustrating sight. Your security camera's primary purpose is to record footage, and when it fails, it can compromise your sense of security. Whether you're using a microSD card, an NVR, or Amcrest Cloud, this guide will help you systematically troubleshoot and resolve the problem in a professional and empathetic way.
We will explore the common causes behind recording failures and provide clear, actionable steps to get your Amcrest system working reliably again.
## Troubleshooting MicroSD Card Recording Issues
Recording directly to a microSD card is a popular option, but it's also a common point of failure. If your camera is not saving footage locally, start with these steps.
- Check SD Card Compatibility: Not all microSD cards are created equal. For security cameras, you need a card designed for high-endurance and constant rewriting. Always use a Class 10, U3-rated card from a reputable manufacturer. Cheap, unbranded cards are a primary cause of recording failures.
- Verify Card Health: SD cards have a finite lifespan. In the Amcrest web interface or app, navigate to the storage settings. There should be a status for the SD card. If it shows 'Error', 'Not Formatted', or is not recognised at all, the card may be corrupted or have failed.
- Format the SD Card Correctly: The best practice is to format the microSD card using the Amcrest camera itself. This ensures the correct file system and block size are used. You can find the format option in the camera's settings under
Setup > Storage > Destination. - Ensure 'Overwrite' is Enabled: Check if the storage setting is configured to overwrite the oldest footage when the card is full. If this is turned off, recording will stop once the card's capacity is reached.
## Solving Amcrest NVR Recording Problems
If you're using an Amcrest Network Video Recorder (NVR) and recordings are failing, the issue likely lies with the hard drive or the NVR's configuration.
### Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Health Check
- Listen for Physical Sounds: A healthy hard drive should be relatively quiet. If you hear loud clicking, grinding, or spinning noises, the drive is likely failing and needs to be replaced.
- Check NVR Status: Log in to your NVR's interface and go to the storage or HDD management section. The system should show the status of the hard drive. If it displays 'Error', 'Not Found', or 'Unformatted', you'll need to investigate further.
- Re-seat and Reformat: Power down the NVR completely. Open the case and carefully unplug and then securely reconnect the power and data cables to the hard drive. Power the NVR back on. If the drive is now detected but still not recording, use the NVR's built-in tool to reformat the drive. Be aware that this will erase all existing footage.
### Configuration and Schedule Settings
- Verify the Recording Schedule: Double-check that your cameras are scheduled to record. In the NVR settings, you can set cameras to record continuously (24/7), only on motion, or during specific times. Ensure this schedule hasn't been accidentally cleared or changed.
- Check Camera Connection: Ensure the NVR has a stable connection to the cameras. In the camera registration or device list, check that the status for each camera is green or 'Online'. If a camera is offline, the NVR cannot record its feed.
## Addressing Amcrest Cloud Recording Gaps
If you rely on Amcrest Cloud, missing footage is usually related to connectivity or account settings.
- Check Your Internet Connection: Cloud recording requires a stable and consistent internet upload speed. If your camera's connection to the internet is dropping, it won't be able to upload video, resulting in gaps. Reboot your router and camera to refresh the connection.
- Review Your Subscription Plan: Log in to your Amcrest Cloud account and confirm that your subscription is active and has not expired. Also, ensure you have not exceeded your storage quota.
- Motion Detection Settings: Cloud recording is almost always based on motion detection. If your sensitivity is set too low or the detection zones are not configured correctly, the camera may not be triggering recordings for events you expect to see. Adjust these settings in the Amcrest app to be more sensitive if needed.
By methodically working through these steps, you can identify the root cause of the 'recording failed' error and restore your Amcrest system's most crucial function.