Dahua Camera Not Recording to SD Card? Fix It Now

Dahua Camera Not Recording to SD Card? A Troubleshooting Guide

Using a microSD card for local storage in your Dahua camera is an excellent way to ensure you have a backup of your recordings, even if your network goes down. However, it can be incredibly frustrating when the camera fails to recognise or record to the SD card. This issue can leave you without crucial footage when you need it most.

This comprehensive guide will help you diagnose and fix problems related to local storage on your Dahua cameras, from SD card errors and formatting issues to incorrect recording schedules.

## Identifying the Storage Problem: Common Symptoms

First, let's pinpoint the exact issue you're facing. A problem with local storage can show up in several ways.

Common symptoms include:

• "No SD Card" Error: The camera's status in the web interface or DMSS app explicitly says "No SD Card," even though you have physically inserted one.
• "Abnormal" or "Error" Status: When you check the storage status, the SD card is listed but has a status of "Error," "Abnormal," or "Unformatted."
• Formatting Failure: You attempt to format the SD card through the camera's interface, but the process fails or never completes.
• No Recordings: The camera appears to be working correctly, and you receive motion alerts, but when you try to play back footage, the timeline is empty.
• Recording Stops: The camera records for a short while (perhaps a day or two) and then stops saving new footage.
• Greyed-Out Options: The "Record" or "Snapshot" buttons are disabled in the camera's settings menus.
• Playback Unavailable: You can see that the SD card has data on it (storage is being used), but you are unable to play back any of the recorded videos.

## Core Troubleshooting for SD Card Issues

Let's walk through the essential steps to get your local storage working correctly. Always start with the simplest solutions first.

### 1. Use the Right Type of SD Card

This is the single most important factor for reliable recording.

• Endurance is Key: Standard microSD cards are not designed for the constant writing and rewriting that a security camera performs. You must use a high-endurance or surveillance-grade microSD card. Brands like SanDisk High Endurance, WD Purple, or Samsung PRO Endurance are specifically built for this purpose.
• Check Compatibility: Verify the maximum SD card capacity your Dahua camera model supports. This information is in the camera's technical specifications. Using a card that is too large (e.g., a 512GB card in a camera that only supports 256GB) will cause it to fail.
• Authenticity: Purchase cards from reputable retailers. Counterfeit SD cards are common and will not perform reliably.

### 2. Properly Insert and Format the SD Card

An improperly seated or formatted card will not work.

1. Power Down: Always disconnect the power from the camera before inserting or removing the microSD card to prevent corruption.
2. Insert Correctly: Ensure the card is inserted in the correct orientation and clicks securely into place.
3. Format Inside the Camera: Do not format the card on your computer. The camera needs to format it with its specific file system.
   • Log in to the camera's web interface.
   • Navigate to Setup > Storage > Destination.
   • Select the Local tab.
   • You should see your SD card listed. Select it and click the "Format" button.
   • Wait for the process to complete. The status should change to "Normal."

### 3. Configure Your Recording Schedule

The camera needs to be told when to record.

1. In the web interface, go to Setup > Storage > Schedule.
2. Select the Record tab.
3. You will see a timeline for each day of the week. By default, it might be blank.
4. Click the "Setup" button.
5. Check the boxes for the days you want to record (e.g., All).
6. Check the boxes for the type of recording you want:
   • General: Continuous 24/7 recording.
   • Motion: Records only when motion is detected.
   • Alarm: Records when a specific alarm input is triggered.
7. Click "Save". The timeline should now be filled with colours corresponding to the recording types you selected.

## What If It Still Doesn't Work?

If you've followed the steps above with a proper surveillance-grade SD card and it's still failing, you might be dealing with a more serious issue.

• Test the SD Card: Use a card reader and software on your computer (like H2testw2) to test the integrity of the SD card. It may be faulty.
• Update Firmware: Ensure your Dahua camera is running the latest firmware. Updates can resolve compatibility issues with certain types of SD cards.
• Hardware Fault: In rare cases, the SD card slot on the camera itself could be damaged. If multiple known-good cards fail to work in this specific camera but work in others, you may need to contact your supplier for a warranty claim or repair.