Aqara Camera Not Recording Continuously? Solutions

Is Your Aqara Camera Not Recording Continuously?

One of the most important features of a security camera is its ability to record footage 24/7. This ensures that you have a complete timeline of events, with no gaps. If your Aqara camera is only saving short clips or not recording at all, it can be a major security concern. This guide will walk you through the common reasons for this issue and how to resolve them.

The ability to record continuously on an Aqara camera is entirely dependent on one thing: a properly functioning microSD card.

## The Crucial Role of the Right MicroSD Card

While event clips can be stored in the cloud, continuous video recording is saved locally to a microSD card inserted directly into the camera. Problems with the SD card are the root cause of almost all continuous recording failures.

• Compatibility: The camera needs a card it can communicate with.
• Class and Speed: It must be fast enough (Class 10/U1/V10 or higher) to handle the constant writing of video data.
• Endurance: Constant recording wears out standard SD cards. You need a 'High Endurance' card specifically designed for the continuous read/write cycles of dashcams and security cameras. Using a cheap or standard card is a common reason for failure.
• Condition: The card must be formatted correctly and be free of errors.

Troubleshooting Steps for Continuous Recording

Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the problem.

### Step 1: Check the SD Card Status in the Aqara App

First, let's see what the camera thinks about the card.

1. Open the Aqara Home app and select your camera.
2. Go to Settings (...) > Storage Settings (or similar wording).
3. Check the status of the SD card.
   • If it says "No SD card" or "SD card abnormal", the camera is not detecting the card correctly. Proceed to Step 2.
   • If it shows the card's capacity, it means the card is detected. Proceed to Step 3.

### Step 2: Resolve SD Card Detection Issues

If the card isn't being detected:

1. Power Down: Unplug your Aqara camera from the power source.
2. Re-insert the Card: Carefully eject the microSD card. Check it for any physical damage, then firmly re-insert it until it clicks into place. A loose card will not be detected.
3. Power Up: Plug the camera back in and wait for it to fully boot up.
4. Check Again: Go back to the storage settings in the app to see if the card is now recognised.
5. Format the Card: If the card is detected but still shows an error, use the "Format SD Card" option within the Aqara app. This will erase all data on the card and prepare it specifically for the camera. This is a critical step.
6. Test a Different Card: If formatting fails or the card is still not detected, the card itself may be faulty or incompatible. Try a different, known-good SD card (preferably a high-endurance model) to see if the issue is with the card or the camera.

### Step 3: Configure the Correct Recording Mode

If the SD card is detected and healthy, you need to ensure you've selected the right recording mode.

1. In the camera's Storage Settings, you will see different recording options.
2. These are typically:
   • Event Recording: The camera only records when it detects motion or sound. This saves storage space but creates gaps in your timeline.
   • Continuous Recording: The camera records 24/7.
3. Make sure you have selected Continuous Recording.

If you've selected continuous recording and the timeline in your playback view still has gaps, it's a strong indicator that your SD card is failing and unable to keep up with the constant data stream. In this case, replacing the microSD card with a new, high-endurance model is the most likely solution.