Troubleshooting Dahua Cloud Storage and Recording Issues
Dahua's cloud storage service offers a convenient and secure way to store your security footage off-site, protecting it from theft or damage to the local device. However, when you encounter issues with recordings not uploading, failing to play back, or subscription errors, it can be a major concern.
This guide will walk you through the most common problems associated with Dahua's cloud storage services (including Easy4ip and DMSS cloud features). We provide clear solutions to help you ensure your footage is being recorded, stored, and accessed reliably.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is for Dahua camera owners who subscribe to a cloud storage plan and are experiencing problems with the service. Whether you're a homeowner with a single camera or a business with multiple devices, these troubleshooting steps will help you resolve your cloud-related issues.
Common Dahua Cloud Storage Problems
Before you can fix the problem, you need to identify it. Here are the most frequent issues users face with Dahua cloud storage:
- Recordings Fail to Upload: The camera is recording locally to an SD card, but no new videos are appearing in your cloud account.
- "Device Offline" in Cloud Menu: The camera shows as online in the app, but the cloud service reports it as offline.
- Playback Errors: When you try to watch a cloud recording, you get an error message like "Playback failed" or "File does not exist."
- Constant Buffering: Cloud footage takes a very long time to load or constantly stops and starts during playback.
- Subscription or Payment Issues: The service reports that your subscription has expired, even though you believe it to be active.
- Missing Recordings: You notice gaps in your cloud recording history where no events were saved.
- Device Not Bound Error: The app or service claims the device is not linked to your account correctly.
How to Fix Your Dahua Cloud Storage Issues
Follow these steps in order to diagnose and correct the problem with your cloud service.
1. Verify Your Camera's Internet Connection
The single most important factor for cloud storage is a stable, continuous internet connection for the camera.
- Check Network Status: In the Dahua app (like DMSS) or the camera's web interface, go to the network settings and check the device's status. It should show 'Online'.
- Test Internet Speed: Run an internet speed test from a device on the same network. Pay attention to the upload speed. A low upload speed will cause long delays or failures in sending video files to the cloud. A minimum of 1-2 Mbps upload speed per camera is often recommended.
- Reboot Your Network: Restart your Dahua camera, your router, and your modem. This can clear up temporary network glitches that may be preventing the connection.
2. Check Your Cloud Subscription and Account Status
An issue with your account itself is another common culprit.
- Log In to the Web Portal: Log in to your Dahua cloud account via a web browser, not just the app. The web portal often provides more detailed account information.
- Confirm Subscription Status: Navigate to the subscription or billing section. Confirm that your plan is marked as 'Active' and check the expiry date.
- Check Storage Quota: Verify that you have not run out of storage space. Some plans have a data cap (e.g., 10GB), while others are based on a number of days (e.g., 7-day history). If your storage is full, the system may stop uploading new recordings.
3. Re-Sync and Rebind the Device
Sometimes the secure link between your camera and the cloud service can be disrupted, especially after a password change or network update.
- Disable and Re-enable Cloud Storage: In the camera's settings, find the Cloud Storage option. Try turning it off, saving the setting, and then turning it back on again. This can force the camera to re-establish its connection.
- Unbind and Rebind: As a more thorough step, you may need to 'unbind' or 'delete' the device from your cloud plan. Once removed, go through the process of adding the camera back to your cloud subscription. This creates a fresh, secure link and often resolves authentication issues.
4. Ensure Correct Camera Settings
The camera's own settings determine what gets sent to the cloud.
- Recording Schedule: Check the recording schedule for your camera. Ensure it is set to record during the times you expect.
- Event Detection: Most cloud plans record based on motion detection events to save space. Make sure that motion detection is enabled for your camera and that the sensitivity is set appropriately. If the sensitivity is too low, it may not be triggering recordings.
- Firmware Update: Ensure your Dahua camera is running the latest firmware. Manufacturers release updates to fix bugs, and one of these might be related to cloud connectivity. Check for updates in the camera's system settings.
By methodically checking your camera's connection, your account status, and the device settings, you can solve the vast majority of Dahua cloud storage problems and regain confidence that your security footage is safe.