How to Troubleshoot Comelit Recording Failures
A security system that doesn't record is a critical failure. If your Comelit CCTV system has stopped saving footage, it's essential to diagnose and fix the problem quickly. This guide will take you through the most common causes of recording failures on Comelit NVRs (Network Video Recorders) and DVRs, helping you restore your system's functionality.
Most recording issues can be traced back to one of three areas: the hard drive, the system's configuration, or the camera's connection.
Step 1: Inspect the Hard Drive (HDD) Status
The hard drive is where your recordings are stored. If there's an issue with it, recording will fail.
- Log in to Your NVR: Access your Comelit NVR's interface using a connected monitor or via the web interface.
- Navigate to Storage Settings: Look for a menu option labelled Storage, HDD Management, or Disk.
- Check the Status: The screen should display the installed hard drive. Look at its status.
- Normal / Healthy: The drive is detected and should be working.
- Error / Failed: The drive has a fault and may need to be replaced.
- Not Initialised / Unformatted: The drive needs to be formatted before it can be used for recording. Use the 'Format' or 'Initialise' option. Warning: This will erase all data on the drive.
- No HDD / Not Detected: The NVR cannot see the drive. This could be a loose cable or a dead drive.
Action: If the status is anything other than 'Normal', it needs to be addressed. Try re-formatting a drive with errors, but if the problem persists, the drive is likely failing and must be replaced. If it's not detected, power down the NVR, open the case, and check that the power and data cables are securely connected to the drive.
Step 2: Verify the Recording Configuration
Incorrect settings can easily prevent your system from recording as you expect.
Check the Recording Schedule
Your Comelit NVR can be programmed to record at specific times or based on specific events.
- Go to the Record or Schedule menu in your NVR's settings.
- You will see a grid representing the hours of the day for each day of the week. Different colours usually represent different recording modes (e.g., green for continuous, yellow for motion detection).
- Ensure that the schedule is configured for the type of recording you want. If the grid is blank, no recording is scheduled. Set your desired schedule (e.g., 24/7 continuous recording or motion-based recording) and apply the settings to all relevant cameras.
Ensure Overwrite is Enabled
If the hard drive becomes full and the overwrite feature is turned off, all recording will stop.
- In the Storage or Record settings, look for an option named Overwrite, Recycle Record, or Circular Recording.
- Make sure this option is enabled. This allows the NVR to automatically delete the oldest footage to make space for new recordings.
Step 3: Troubleshoot Motion Detection Settings
If you are only recording on motion events, incorrect settings are a common culprit.
- Go to the Event, Alarm, or VCA menu.
- Select the camera channel you want to configure.
- Enable Motion Detection.
- Set the Detection Area: Ensure the grid covers the area where you want to detect motion.
- Adjust Sensitivity: If sensitivity is too low, it may not pick up movement. If it's too high, it may record constantly. Adjust it to a suitable level.
- Check Linkage Actions: This is a crucial step. In the motion detection settings, there will be a 'Linkage Action' or 'Trigger Action' menu. You must ensure that Record Channel is ticked. This tells the NVR to start recording when motion is detected.
By systematically checking the hard drive's health, verifying your recording schedule, and ensuring your motion detection rules are correctly configured, you can solve the vast majority of recording failure issues on your Comelit system.