Ctronics Camera Not Recording to SD Card? A Troubleshooting Guide
Local storage on a microSD card is a key feature of Ctronics cameras, providing a reliable way to store video footage without subscription fees. When your camera fails to recognise the SD card or stops recording to it, it can be a major concern. This guide provides a professional, step-by-step process to diagnose and solve issues related to local storage on your Ctronics camera.
## Step 1: Verify SD Card Compatibility and Installation
Not all microSD cards are created equal. Security cameras place unique demands on memory cards, and incompatibility is a primary cause of storage issues.
1. Use the Right Type of Card:
- Class and Speed: You must use a microSD card that is Class 10 or rated U1/U3. This ensures it has fast enough write speeds to handle high-definition video streams without errors.
- High Endurance: Standard SD cards can wear out quickly with the constant rewriting of a security camera. It is highly recommended to use a 'High Endurance' or 'Video Monitoring' specific microSD card from a reputable brand (e.g., SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston).
- Capacity: Check the maximum supported SD card capacity for your specific Ctronics model (e.g., 64GB, 128GB). Using a card that is too large can cause it to be unrecognised.
2. Proper Installation:
- Power Down: Always unplug the camera from its power source before inserting or removing the microSD card. Hot-swapping can corrupt the card or damage the camera's port.
- Correct Orientation: Ensure the card is inserted in the correct orientation. It should click securely into place. If it feels forced, it's likely the wrong way around.
## Step 2: The Critical Formatting Process
Even if the card is compatible, it must be correctly formatted to work with the camera's file system.
IMPORTANT: You must format the SD card using the Ctronics app.
- Do Not Format on a Computer: Formatting the card on a Windows PC or Mac will apply a file system (like NTFS or exFAT) that the camera cannot read.
- In-App Formatting:
- Power on your camera and ensure it is connected to the app.
- Insert the compatible microSD card.
- Navigate to the camera's Settings in the app.
- Find the 'Storage Settings' or 'SD Card Management' menu.
- The app should show the card's capacity. Select the 'Format' option.
- The process will take a minute and will erase all data on the card. This prepares it perfectly for the camera.
## Step 3: Configure the Recording Schedule
If the card is formatted and recognised but still not recording, the issue lies in the camera's settings.
1. Enable Recording:
- Go back to the camera's Settings in the app.
- Find the 'Recording Plan', 'Recording Schedule', or 'Motion Detection Settings'.
- You need to tell the camera when and what to record.
- For Motion Recording: Ensure that motion detection is enabled, and that the 'Action' or 'Linkage' for motion detection includes 'Record to SD Card'.
- For Continuous Recording: If you want 24/7 recording, you must enable this option in the schedule and select the 'Continuous' or 'General' recording type.
2. Check Playback:
- After triggering a motion event (you can wave your hand in front of the camera), wait a minute.
- Go to the 'Playback' or 'Replay' section of the app.
- You should now see a timeline with coloured bars indicating where recordings have been saved. If you can see these recordings, your local storage is now working correctly.
## Final Troubleshooting: The Reboot Sequence
If you've followed all the steps and the card is still not recognised, try this specific sequence:
- Unplug the camera from power.
- Remove the microSD card.
- Power the camera back on and let it fully boot up without the card.
- Once it's online in the app, re-insert the microSD card.
- Go directly to the storage settings in the app and attempt to format it again.
This sequence can sometimes resolve stubborn detection issues. If the problem persists after this, the card itself may be faulty.