D-Link Camera Missed a Recording? Here’s How to Solve It
A security camera that doesn't record when it's supposed to is a major problem. You rely on your D-Link camera to capture important events, and finding that a critical moment was missed can be deeply frustrating.
This guide will help you troubleshoot the common reasons why your D-Link camera might be missing recordings, whether you're using local SD card storage or a mydlink cloud subscription.
Part 1: Troubleshooting Motion Detection Settings
The most common reason for missed recordings is that the camera simply wasn't told to record. This all comes down to the motion detection settings.
1. Is Motion Detection Even Enabled?
It sounds basic, but it's a necessary first check.
- Open the mydlink app and select your camera.
- Tap the Settings icon (gear symbol).
- Find and tap on Motion Detection.
- Ensure the feature is toggled On.
2. Check the Activity Zones
Most D-Link cameras allow you to draw specific zones on the screen to monitor for motion. If motion occurs outside of these designated boxes, it will be ignored.
- In the Motion Detection settings, review your Activity Zones.
- Make sure the areas where you expect to see people or vehicles are fully covered by the active zones. A common mistake is drawing the box too low, missing a person's head, which means the event isn't triggered.
3. Adjust Motion Sensitivity
Sensitivity determines how much movement is required to trigger a recording.
- Too Low: The camera will ignore subtle but important events.
- Too High: The camera will be triggered constantly by things like rain, shadows, or swaying tree branches, leading to a flood of useless recordings.
If you are missing events, try increasing the sensitivity slightly. If you are getting too many false alerts, decrease it. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect balance for your specific scene.
Part 2: Troubleshooting Storage Issues
If your motion settings are correct, the problem might be with where the camera is trying to save the footage.
For Local SD Card Users
- Format the Card: An SD card can become corrupted over time. The best fix is to reformat it. In the mydlink app, go to the camera's Settings > Storage and use the Format option. Warning: This will erase all existing footage on the card.
- Check Card Health: SD cards have a limited lifespan. A card that is old or has been written to extensively can fail. If formatting doesn't help, the card may need replacing. Use a high-quality, Class 10 or V30 rated card from a reputable brand.
- Ensure Loop Recording is On: This feature automatically overwrites the oldest footage when the card is full. If it's turned off and the card is full, the camera will stop recording altogether.
For mydlink Cloud Recording Users
- Verify Your Subscription: Log in to your mydlink account on the official website (not just the app) and check the status of your cloud recording subscription. Has it expired? Is the payment method up to date?
- Check Upload Speed: Cloud recording requires a stable internet connection with sufficient upload speed. Run a speed test from a device connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your camera. If your upload speed is very low (e.g., less than 1-2 Mbps per camera), the camera may struggle to send the video clips to the cloud, resulting in missed recordings.
- Reboot Your Camera and Router: Sometimes the connection between the camera and the cloud service can stall. A simple reboot of both your camera and your internet router can often resolve this communication issue.
By systematically checking your motion settings and storage health, you can pinpoint the reason for missed recordings and ensure your D-Link camera is always ready to capture what matters most.