How to Set Up and Troubleshoot Blink Local Storage
The Blink security system offers a convenient way to store your video clips locally, giving you more control over your data and providing a backup for your recordings. This feature relies on the Blink Sync Module 2 and a compatible USB flash drive.
If you're having trouble getting local storage to work, this guide will walk you through the setup process and common troubleshooting steps.
## What You Need for Blink Local Storage
Before you begin, make sure you have the correct hardware:
- A Blink Sync Module 2: This is essential. Older versions of the Sync Module do not support local storage. The Sync Module 2 is identifiable by the USB port on its side.
- A Compatible USB Flash Drive:
- Capacity: The drive must be between 1GB and 256GB. Drives larger than 256GB are not supported.
- Brand: Use a quality drive from a well-known manufacturer.
- Formatting: The drive should be formatted to the ExFAT file system. The Sync Module will offer to reformat the drive for you if it's in an incompatible format, but this will erase all data on it.
## How to Set Up Local Storage
Setting up local storage is a straightforward process done through the Blink app.
- Insert the USB Drive: Plug your compatible USB flash drive into the USB port on the side of your Sync Module 2.
- Open the Blink App: On the home screen, you should see a notification that a USB drive has been detected.
- Format the Drive: The app will likely prompt you to format the drive for use with Blink. Tap 'Format' and wait for the process to complete. Warning: This will delete all existing files on the USB drive.
- Configuration: Once formatted, your system is ready. If you have an active Blink subscription, the system will automatically perform a daily backup of your cloud clips to the USB drive. If you do not have a subscription, motion clips will be saved directly to the drive.
## Troubleshooting Common Local Storage Issues
If you encounter problems, work through these common solutions.
### Issue 1: "No USB Drive Detected" Error
If the app doesn't recognise that you've inserted a drive:
- Check the Connection: Ensure the USB drive is fully and securely inserted into the port.
- Try a Different Drive: The issue could be with the USB drive itself. Try another compatible drive to see if the Sync Module detects it.
- Power Cycle the Sync Module: Unplug the Sync Module from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for it to reconnect to your network and see if it now detects the drive.
### Issue 2: Clips Are Not Saving to the USB Drive
If the drive is detected but no clips are being saved:
- For Subscription Users: Remember that the backup is not instant. The system saves a backup of your cloud clips once every 24 hours. Check the 'Local Storage' tab in the 'Clips' section of the app to see the last backup time.
- For Users Without a Subscription: Ensure your cameras are armed for motion detection. Clips are only saved when motion is detected (or during a Live View session).
- Safely Eject and Re-insert: In the Blink app, go to the Sync Module settings and find the 'Local Storage' option. Use the 'Safe Eject' feature, physically remove the drive, wait a minute, and then re-insert it.
### Issue 3: Cannot View Local Storage Clips
If you're unable to see your clips in the app:
- Allow Time to Load: When you first access the Local Storage clips roll, it can take a moment for the thumbnails to load from the drive over your Wi-Fi network. Be patient.
- Check on a Computer: As a final check, safely eject the drive and plug it into a computer. You should see a folder named 'blink' which contains your saved MP4 video files. If the files are there, the issue is likely with the app or your phone's connection.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and troubleshoot your Blink local storage setup.