Is Your Dahua CCTV System Failing to Record Continuously?
One of the primary reasons for investing in a Dahua security system is the ability to have a 24/7, around-the-clock video record. When you discover gaps in your timeline or find that the system has stopped recording altogether, it can undermine your entire security setup.
This guide will help you troubleshoot the common configuration and hardware issues that prevent Dahua cameras and NVRs (Network Video Recorders) from recording continuously.
## The Core of the Issue: The Recording Schedule
In nearly all cases, the problem lies within the recording schedule settings. Dahua systems offer powerful scheduling options, allowing you to record continuously, only on motion, or during specific times. A misconfiguration here is the first place to look.
How to configure the 24/7 recording schedule:
- Log In: Access your Dahua NVR or camera's web interface by typing its IP address into a web browser. You can also do this directly on the NVR with a connected monitor.
- Navigate to Storage: Find the main settings menu and go to Storage > Schedule.
- Set the Schedule: You will see a grid representing the hours of the day for each day of the week.
- Ensure you have the correct camera (channel) selected.
- At the side, you will see options like General, MD (Motion Detection), and Alarm.
- Select "General" (this is usually a green colour).
- Click and drag your mouse across the entire grid for all seven days of the week, painting it green.
- Make sure you click "Apply" or "Save" to confirm the changes.
If the grid is painted yellow ("MD"), the system will only record when motion is triggered. If it's blank, it will not record at all. For 24/7 continuous recording, the entire schedule must be set to "General".
## Troubleshooting Hard Drive (HDD) Issues
If the schedule is correct, the next most likely culprit is an issue with your storage.
### Problem: The Hard Drive is Full
If your system records for a few days or weeks and then suddenly stops, it's likely because the hard drive is full and not overwriting old footage.
- The Solution: You must enable the "Overwrite" function.
- In the web interface or NVR menu, navigate to Storage > Destination (or a similar menu for HDD Management).
- Select the hard drive.
- Find the setting for "Overwrite" or "Recycle Record" and set it to "Enable" or "Auto".
- Save your settings. This allows the system to automatically delete the oldest recordings to make space for new ones.
### Problem: "No HDD" or "Storage Error" Status
If the system doesn't detect the hard drive, it has nowhere to save the footage.
- Check Physical Connections: Power off and unplug the NVR. Open the NVR's casing. Check that both the SATA data cable and the SATA power cable are securely plugged into the hard drive and the NVR's mainboard. A loose cable is a very common cause of this error.
- Reformat the HDD: If the cables are secure but the error persists, the drive's formatting may have become corrupted. In the Storage/HDD menu, you should find an option to "Format" the drive. Warning: This will permanently erase all existing recordings.
- Hard Drive Failure: Hard drives have a finite lifespan. If the drive is making clicking or grinding noises, or if it cannot be formatted, it has likely failed and will need to be replaced.
## Final Checks
- Recording Status Icon: On the live view of your cameras, look for a small recording icon (often a green filmstrip or a red dot). If this icon is not present, it's a clear indicator that the camera is not recording.
- Reboot the System: If you've made changes to the settings, it's always a good practice to reboot your NVR to ensure they are applied correctly.
By methodically checking your schedule, hard drive settings, and physical connections, you can resolve the vast majority of continuous recording issues with your Dahua system.