Troubleshooting Local Storage on Your Axis Camera
Axis network cameras are renowned for their professional-grade quality and reliability. A key feature for many users is "edge storage"—the ability to record video directly to a microSD card inside the camera. This provides a decentralized, low-bandwidth recording solution. However, when your Axis camera fails to save locally, it requires a systematic approach to diagnose and fix. This guide provides the expert steps to get your camera recording correctly.
Pre-Checks: The Foundation for Successful Recording
Before diving into complex settings, ensure you have the right foundation.
### 1. Use a Surveillance-Grade SD Card
This is the most critical factor. Standard microSD cards are designed for occasional use in devices like phones or digital cameras. The constant writing and rewriting required for video surveillance will cause them to fail quickly. You must use a high-endurance or surveillance-specific microSD card. These are engineered for reliability under constant use.
### 2. Verify Card Compatibility and Health
Even the correct type of card can fail.
- Check the camera's datasheet on the Axis website to confirm the maximum supported SD card capacity for your model.
- Access your camera's web interface and navigate to System > Storage. Here, you can view the SD card's status, run a health check (
Check disk), and format it. If the disk check fails, the card needs to be replaced.
Configuring Your Camera for Recording
An Axis camera will not record to the SD card by default. You must tell it when and what to record by setting up rules. This is typically done in one of two ways, depending on your camera's firmware.
### For Newer Axis Cameras (using Action Rules)
- Navigate to System > Events.
- Create an Action Rule: Click to add a new rule.
- Define the Trigger: In the "Condition" section, choose what will start the recording. A common choice is
Video Motion Detection (VMD). Select the appropriate VMD profile. - Define the Action: In the "Actions" section, select
Record Video. Choose the SD card as the storage, select a video profile, and define pre- and post-trigger recording times (e.g., 10 seconds before and 60 seconds after the event). - Name and save the rule.
### For Older Axis Cameras (using Recording Rules)
- Navigate to Setup > Recordings & Events > Recording Rules.
- Add a new Rule: Give it a descriptive name.
- Set the Trigger: Choose the event that will trigger the recording, such as
Motion Detection. - Set the Action: Specify that the action is to
Record to local SD card. - Set a Schedule: Define when this rule should be active (e.g.,
Alwaysor only during specific hours).
Troubleshooting Steps When Recording Fails
If you have the right SD card and have set up your recording rules, but it's still not working, follow these steps.
- Check the System Log: Go to System > Logs. The system log is an invaluable tool. Look for any entries containing "SD card," "storage," or "recording." Error messages here will point you directly to the problem, such as a "read-only" error (indicating a failing card) or a "storage full" message.
- Verify the Schedule: Double-check your action rule or recording rule schedule. If the schedule is not set to "Always" or the correct active times, the camera will not record.
- Reformat the SD Card: In the System > Storage menu, use the camera's built-in format function. This ensures the card is using the correct file system and is clear of any corruption. Warning: This will erase all existing footage.
- Update Camera Firmware: Visit the Axis website, find the support page for your camera model, and check for the latest firmware. Firmware updates often contain crucial bug fixes related to storage and event management. A firmware upgrade can often resolve persistent issues.
- Test with a New Card: If errors continue, the most reliable next step is to test with a brand new, high-endurance microSD card. This will definitively rule out a faulty card as the source of the problem.
By methodically checking your hardware, configuration, and logs, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve almost any local storage issue with your Axis camera.