Solving the Problem of Missed Recordings on Axis Cameras
Axis cameras are professional-grade surveillance devices known for their reliability. However, discovering gaps in your recorded footage can undermine the security they are meant to provide. Whether an important motion event was missed or there are unexplained blank spots in your timeline, the cause is usually related to configuration, storage, or event triggers. This guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve issues with missed recordings on your Axis network camera.
The most common sign of this problem is reviewing footage after an incident and finding that the crucial moments were simply not captured. You might also notice that the camera creates recordings for minor events but misses significant ones.
## Step 1: Deep Dive into Event and Motion Detection Settings
The most frequent reason for missed recordings is that the camera was never actually told to record. This happens when the conditions for triggering a recording (the "action rule") are not met.
1. Review Your Motion Detection Zones (VMD):
- Access your camera's web interface and navigate to the settings for AXIS Video Motion Detection (VMD) or your installed motion detection application.
- Ensure you have "include" windows drawn over the specific areas where you want to detect motion. A common mistake is not having any include zones configured, meaning the camera isn't watching for anything.
- Conversely, use "exclude" windows to mask out areas that cause false triggers, such as rustling trees, moving shadows, or busy roads. This prevents your storage from filling up with useless clips, which could cause important events to be overwritten.
2. Fine-Tune Sensitivity and Filters:
- Sensitivity: This setting determines how much change in pixels is required to trigger an event. A setting that is too low will not detect subtle but important movements. A setting that is too high will trigger constantly. Adjust this setting based on test-walks in the scene.
- Object Size Filters: To avoid triggers from small objects like birds or insects, set a minimum object size. Ensure the minimum size is smaller than a person or vehicle would appear at the furthest point in your detection zone.
3. Check the Action Rule: An event (like motion detection) is just a trigger. You must link that trigger to an action (like recording).
- Go to the "Events" or "Action Rules" section in the camera's settings.
- Find the rule that is supposed to trigger your recording.
- Check the conditions. Is the source the correct motion detection application (e.g., VMD 4)? Is the rule enabled?
- Check the actions. Is the rule set to "Record Video"? Is it using the correct stream profile and storage location? Is there a duration set (e.g., record for 30 seconds)?
## Step 2: Investigate Storage Health and Configuration
If the camera is triggering correctly but the video isn't being saved, the problem lies with your storage medium, whether it's an on-board SD card or a network-attached storage (NAS) device.
1. For SD Card Recording:
- Card Quality: Axis cameras require high-performance, industrial-grade SD cards for reliable recording. A standard consumer-grade card will fail under the constant read/write stress. Ensure you are using a recommended card.
- Check Storage Status: In the camera's web interface, go to "Storage" or "System > Storage". Here you can see if the card is recognised, its remaining capacity, and its health status.
- Run a Test: Most Axis cameras have a built-in disk test function. Run this to check for errors on the card. If it fails, the card needs to be replaced.
- Formatting: If you suspect file system corruption, back up any important footage and reformat the card directly through the camera's interface.
2. For NAS or VMS Recording:
- Check Network Path: Ensure the camera can still communicate with the NAS or Video Management System (VMS) server. A network change, firewall update, or incorrect IP address can break the connection. Ping the storage device's IP address from the camera's maintenance menu if possible.
- Verify Credentials: Double-check that the username and password the camera is using to access the network share are still correct.
- Check Storage Quotas: Make sure the storage volume on the NAS or server has not run out of space.
## Step 3: Check System Logs and Time Synchronisation
- System Log: The camera's system log is an invaluable tool. You can find it under "System > Logs". Look for any error messages around the time that recordings were missed. You might see "Storage Error," "Connection Lost," or "Failed to write data," which will point you directly to the problem.
- Time and Date: Ensure the camera's time and date are set correctly and are synchronised with an NTP server. If the camera's clock is wrong, your recordings may be saved with an incorrect timestamp, making them appear to be missing when they are actually just in the wrong place on the timeline.
By methodically reviewing your trigger conditions, storage health, and system logs, you can effectively diagnose and fix the root cause of missed recordings, ensuring your Axis camera captures the footage you need, when you need it.