How to Troubleshoot and Fix Blink 'Recording Failed' Errors
A "Clip recording failed" notification from your Blink security system is a significant concern. It means your camera detected motion, but for some reason, it was unable to save the video clip, leaving you with a blind spot in your security coverage. Fortunately, this issue can usually be resolved with some straightforward troubleshooting.
This guide will walk you through the most common causes of Blink recording failures and provide clear steps to get your system working reliably again.
Step 1: Check the Wi-Fi Signal Strength
Poor connectivity is the number one culprit behind recording failures. The Blink system relies on two separate Wi-Fi connections:
- Camera to Wi-Fi: The connection from the camera to your home's Wi--Fi network.
- Sync Module to Wi-Fi: The connection from the Sync Module to your home's Wi-Fi network.
A weak signal in either of these can cause a recording to fail.
- Check Signal Strength in the App: Open the Blink app and go to the settings for the camera that is failing. You will see signal strength indicators for both 'Camera to Wi-Fi' and 'Sync Module to Wi-Fi'. Three bars is ideal. If either shows one or two bars, you have a weak signal.
- Improve Your Signal:
- Try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to your Sync Module and cameras.
- If you cannot move the router, try moving the Sync Module to a more central location between your router and your cameras.
- Minimise physical obstructions (thick walls, large metal appliances) that could be blocking the signal.
Step 2: Check the Camera's Batteries
Blink cameras are designed to conserve power, but recording video is their most energy-intensive task.
- Low Battery Levels: If the camera's batteries are nearly depleted, it may have enough power to detect motion and send a notification, but not enough to power the camera and Wi-Fi radio for the full duration of a recording.
- Replace the Batteries: If the app indicates the batteries are low, replace them with a new set of Lithium AA batteries. It is critical to use lithium batteries, as alkaline batteries will not provide consistent enough power and can cause performance issues.
Step 3: Power Cycle Your Entire System
A simple reboot can often clear up temporary software glitches or network conflicts. It is best to do this in a specific order.
- Power Cycle Your Router: Unplug your home's Wi-Fi router from the power outlet. Wait a full 60 seconds before plugging it back in.
- Power Cycle Your Sync Module: Once your router has fully restarted and your internet is back online, unplug the Sync Module from power. Wait 60 seconds and plug it back in.
- Power Cycle Your Camera: Take the batteries out of the affected Blink camera. Wait 60 seconds and then re-insert them.
After rebooting everything, arm your system and test the camera to see if it now records successfully.
Step 4: Investigate Storage Issues
Whether you use cloud or local storage, problems with your storage destination will cause recordings to fail.
- Cloud Storage: If your Blink subscription has expired or your cloud storage is full, the system will not be able to save new clips. Check your subscription status in your account on the Blink website.
- Local Storage (Sync Module 2): If you are using a USB drive for local storage:
- Is it full? Check the storage status in the Blink app.
- Safely Eject and Test: Use the 'Safe Eject' option in the app before removing the USB drive. Plug it into a computer to ensure it is readable and not corrupted. A faulty USB drive will prevent clips from being saved.
By systematically checking your connectivity, power, and storage, you can effectively diagnose and resolve the vast majority of "Recording Failed" errors on your Blink system.