How to Fix Eufy When It's Not Saving to Local Storage
One of the most appealing features of the Eufy security ecosystem is its commitment to local storage, keeping your video clips securely at your home without mandatory monthly fees. However, it can be a major problem when your Eufy cameras stop saving to the HomeBase or their individual microSD cards. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to diagnose and fix issues with Eufy local storage.
Whether your system uses a HomeBase with internal storage, a USB drive, or a camera with a dedicated microSD card slot, the troubleshooting principles are similar. The problem usually lies with the storage medium itself, its formatting, or the device settings.
Understanding Why Eufy Might Not Be Recording
There are several common reasons why your Eufy system has stopped saving new clips:
- Storage is Full: The HomeBase's internal memory, the USB drive, or the microSD card has run out of space.
- Storage Medium Error: The storage device (SD card, USB drive) may be corrupted, faulty, or incompatible.
- Incorrect Settings: The camera's mode or recording settings might be configured in a way that prevents it from saving clips.
- HomeBase Issues: The HomeBase unit itself might have a software glitch or be failing to recognise the storage.
- Poor Camera Sync: The connection between the camera and the HomeBase might be weak, preventing clips from being transferred successfully.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Eufy Local Storage
Let's get your system recording again. Start with the most common and simple fixes first.
Step 1: Check Storage Status and Format
The first place to look is the Eufy Security app, which will tell you the health of your storage.
- Navigate to Storage Settings: Open the Eufy Security app.
- For HomeBase: Select the HomeBase, then tap the gear icon for 'Settings', and go to 'Storage'.
- For Cameras with SD Cards: Select the camera, tap the gear icon for 'Settings', and go to 'Storage'.
- Check Capacity: The app will show you the total capacity and the amount of used space. If it's full, you will need to clear some space.
- Format the Storage: The most common fix for recording issues is to reformat the storage device. In the storage menu, you will find a 'Format' option. This will erase all clips and reset the file system, which often resolves corruption issues. IMPORTANT: Back up any vital clips before formatting, as they will be permanently deleted.
- Re-insert the Device: If you are using a removable microSD card or USB drive, try physically removing it (after powering down the device), waiting a moment, and re-inserting it securely.
Step 2: Review Camera Modes and Settings
Your camera's operating mode dictates when and if it records.
- Check the Security Mode: On the main screen of the app, check which mode is active (e.g., 'Home', 'Away', 'Disarmed'). Go into the 'Security' tab and check the rules for that mode.
- Verify Mode Rules: For your active mode, ensure that the rules for your camera are set to 'Record Video'. If this option is unchecked, the camera will detect motion but will not save a clip.
- Check Notification Settings: While in the camera's settings, go to 'Notification' settings. Ensure that you have motion detection enabled. While this is for alerts, it's tied to the recording function.
Step 3: Reboot and Resync Your Devices
A simple power cycle can clear temporary glitches that may be preventing recordings.
- Reboot the HomeBase: Unplug the HomeBase from its power source, wait for a full minute, and then plug it back in. Allow it a few minutes to fully restart and reconnect to your cameras.
- Reboot the Camera: If your camera is still not recording, restart it via the app ('Settings' > 'Restart Device') or by physically powering it down if it's a wired model.
- Check Camera-HomeBase Signal: In the camera's settings, check the signal strength between it and the HomeBase. A weak signal can sometimes cause issues with clip transfers. If the signal is poor, try moving the camera and HomeBase closer together.
Step 4: Test the Storage Medium
If formatting didn't work and all settings are correct, the storage itself might have failed.
- Try a Different SD Card/USB Drive: If possible, test the system with a brand new, high-quality microSD card (Class 10 or higher) or a different USB drive. If the new storage works, your old one has likely reached the end of its life.
- Test on a Computer: Insert the problematic SD card or USB drive into a computer. If the computer also fails to recognise it or reports errors, the storage medium is almost certainly the problem.