Cove Camera Not Saving Locally? A Troubleshooting Guide
One of the most valuable features of a Cove security camera is its ability to save video footage locally to a microSD card. This provides a backup to cloud storage and ensures you have access to recordings even without a subscription. However, it's a real problem when you discover your camera has stopped saving footage locally.
This guide will help you diagnose and fix the reasons why your Cove camera might not be saving to its SD card. We'll cover everything from card compatibility to app settings, using clear British English to make the process as simple as possible.
## Understanding Local Storage on Your Cove Camera
Before diving into troubleshooting, it's important to know the basics. Your Cove camera records video clips to the microSD card when it detects motion. You can then view, download, or delete these clips directly from the Cove app. For this to work, you need a compatible and correctly formatted SD card.
## Step 1: Check Your MicroSD Card's Compatibility and Health
The microSD card itself is the most common point of failure. Not all cards are created equal, and security cameras place them under constant stress.
- Use the Right Type of Card: For reliable video recording, you need a card designed for high-endurance use. Look for a Class 10 (C10) or UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) card from a reputable brand. We recommend brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Kingston.
- Supported Size: Ensure your card's capacity is between 16GB and 128GB, as this is the range officially supported by most Cove cameras.
- Check for Damage: Carefully remove the SD card from your camera. Inspect it for any physical damage, like cracks or bent contacts.
- Test the Card: If you have a computer with an SD card reader, insert the card to see if your computer can recognise it and read its contents. If the computer can't see the card, it has likely failed and needs to be replaced.
## Step 2: Format the MicroSD Card Correctly
Even a healthy SD card won't work if it isn't formatted correctly. Formatting erases all data and sets up the file system that the camera needs.
IMPORTANT: You should always format the SD card using the Cove app, not your computer. This guarantees it uses the correct format (typically FAT32).
- Ensure the microSD card is inserted into your camera.
- Open the Cove app and navigate to the settings for that specific camera.
- Find the storage settings menu, which might be labelled "SD Card Settings" or "Manage Storage".
- Look for and tap the "Format" or "Format Storage" option.
- Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete. This may take a few minutes.
After formatting, the app should show the correct available storage space.
### Step 3: Review Your Camera's Recording Settings
If the card is healthy and formatted correctly, the issue might lie within your camera's settings in the Cove app.
- Enable Local Recording: Dig into your camera's settings to ensure that the option for "Local Recording" or "Record to SD Card" is turned on. Sometimes this can be accidentally disabled.
- Check Motion Detection Settings: Local recording is usually tied to motion detection. If your motion detection sensitivity is set too low or detection zones are configured incorrectly, the camera may not be triggering any recordings.
- Enable Loop Recording: This is a critical setting. When the SD card fills up, loop recording allows the camera to automatically delete the oldest footage to make space for new recordings. If this is turned off, the camera will simply stop recording when the card is full. Make sure "Loop Recording" is enabled.
### Step 4: Power Cycle and Update Firmware
If the above steps don't work, a simple restart or a firmware update can often resolve software glitches.
- Power Cycle the Camera: Unplug your Cove camera from its power source. Wait for at least 60 seconds before plugging it back in. This allows the internal components to fully reset.
- Check for Firmware Updates: In the Cove app, go to your camera's settings and look for a "Device Info" or "Firmware Update" section. Manufacturers regularly release updates to fix bugs and improve performance. Ensure your camera is running the latest version.
By systematically working through these troubleshooting steps, you can identify and resolve the vast majority of issues preventing your Cove camera from saving footage locally. A reliable SD card, correct formatting, and proper app settings are the keys to success.