How to Fix Annke CCTV Not Recording 24/7
One of the most critical features of a surveillance system is its ability to record footage around the clock. If you've discovered that your Annke system is not recording 24/7, it creates a significant gap in your security coverage. This guide will help you diagnose and resolve the common issues that prevent continuous recording on Annke DVRs and NVRs.
Why Your Annke System May Not Be Recording Continuously
Before you can fix the problem, it's important to understand what might be causing it. The issue usually falls into one of a few categories.
Incorrect Recording Schedule Settings
This is the most frequent reason for a lack of 24/7 recording. Your Annke system allows you to set a detailed recording schedule for each camera. If a camera is set to 'Motion Detection' or 'Alarm' recording, it will only capture footage when activity is detected, leaving gaps in your timeline.
Hard Drive (HDD) Issues
The hard drive is where all your footage is stored. If there's a problem with the HDD, your system can't record.
- Not Detected or Initialised: A new or improperly connected HDD may not be recognised by the system.
- HDD is Full: If the hard drive has run out of space and is not set to overwrite old footage, recording will stop.
- Faulty Drive: The hard drive itself could be failing or have bad sectors, preventing the system from writing new data.
Insufficient Storage Space
While related to the HDD, this is more about management. Recording high-resolution video 24/7 consumes a large amount of data. If your storage capacity is too small for your needs, it will fill up quickly.
System Configuration Errors
Occasionally, other system settings can interfere with recording. A system reboot or a firmware glitch could potentially alter your saved configurations.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enable 24/7 Recording
Follow these instructions to get your Annke system recording continuously.
- Log In to Your System: Access your Annke DVR/NVR's main menu using your password.
- Navigate to Record Settings: Find the 'Record' or 'Schedule' option in the menu. This is where you control when and how your cameras record.
- Set the Schedule to 'Continuous': You will see a timetable for each camera. Select the 'Continuous' (often represented by a green colour) or 'Normal' recording option.
- Apply to All Hours and Days: Drag your mouse across the entire grid for the desired camera to apply the continuous recording setting to all 24 hours of the day, for every day of the week.
- Copy to Other Cameras: Most Annke systems have a 'Copy to' function that allows you to easily apply the same schedule to all your other cameras.
- Save Your Settings: Click 'Apply' or 'Save' to confirm the changes.
- Check Your Hard Drive Status:
- Go to the 'Storage' or 'HDD Management' section in the settings.
- Confirm that the hard drive status is 'Normal' or 'Healthy'.
- If the HDD is new or not recognised, you may need to 'Initialise' or 'Format' it. Warning: Formatting will erase all data on the drive.
- Ensure the 'Overwrite' option is enabled. This will allow the system to automatically delete the oldest footage to make space for new recordings, ensuring it never stops due to a full drive.
Advanced Troubleshooting Tips
- Reboot the System: A simple reboot can sometimes resolve temporary glitches that may be affecting the recording schedule.
- Update Firmware: Check the Annke support website for the latest firmware for your model. Updating the firmware can fix bugs and improve performance.
- Test the Hard Drive: If you suspect the hard drive is faulty, you can run a health check (S.M.A.R.T. test) from the storage menu. If it fails, the drive will need to be replaced.
By methodically checking your settings and ensuring your hard drive is functioning correctly, you can easily restore 24/7 recording capabilities to your Annke security system and ensure you always have a complete record of events.