Is Your Ezviz Camera Not Recording to its SD Card?
Using a microSD card for local storage is a key feature of Ezviz cameras. It allows you to record video footage directly on the device, providing a reliable backup even if your Wi-Fi connection drops and ensuring you have access to recordings without needing a cloud subscription. When your camera fails to recognise the SD card or stops recording to it, this critical function is lost.
Issues with local storage can be frustrating, often showing up as a "No memory card" error in the app or an empty playback timeline. The good news is that most of these problems are related to compatibility, formatting, or the card itself, and can be resolved with some straightforward troubleshooting.
Why Is My Ezviz Camera Not Using Local Storage?
There are several common reasons why your Ezviz camera might be having trouble with its SD card:
- Incompatible SD Card: The card may be too slow, too large in capacity, or a counterfeit card that doesn't perform as advertised.
- Improper Formatting: The SD card needs to be formatted with a specific file system that the camera can read and write to.
- Physical Damage or Wear: SD cards have a limited lifespan and can wear out over time, especially with the constant writing required by a security camera.
- Incorrect Insertion: The card may not be fully seated in the SD card slot.
- Firmware Glitch: A software bug in the camera's firmware could be preventing it from properly accessing the card.
How to Fix Ezviz SD Card Issues
Work through these steps to get your local storage working again.
1. Check SD Card Compatibility
Not all microSD cards are created equal. Security cameras require cards that can withstand continuous read/write cycles.
- Card Type: Ensure you are using a microSD card, not a full-size SD card.
- Speed Class: Use a card that is Class 10 or higher (often marked with a C with a 10 inside, or a U1/U3 symbol). This ensures the card is fast enough to write high-definition video without errors.
- Capacity: Check your camera model's specifications for the maximum supported SD card capacity (e.g., 128GB, 256GB). Using a card larger than the maximum supported size will not work.
- Use Reputable Brands: Stick to well-known, high-endurance brands designed for dash cams or security cameras.
2. Properly Insert the SD Card
It's a simple step, but it's easy to get wrong.
- Power Off: Always power down your Ezviz camera before inserting or removing the SD card to prevent data corruption.
- Locate the Slot: The SD card slot is usually covered by a small flap.
- Insert Correctly: Insert the microSD card with the metal contacts facing the correct direction (refer to the diagram next to the slot). Push it in gently until you feel a click, which indicates it is locked in place.
- Power On: Power the camera back on.
3. Format the SD Card Using the Ezviz App
This is the most important step. Formatting the card within the Ezviz app erases everything on it and prepares it with the correct file system for the camera. Never format the card on a computer first.
- Open the Ezviz app and select your camera.
- Go to the camera's Settings (the gear icon).
- Tap on "Storage Status" or "Local Storage".
- You should see the SD card listed. Tap on it.
- Select the "Format" or "Initialise" option and confirm.
- Wait for the process to complete. The status should now show as "Normal" with the correct capacity displayed.
4. Test the SD Card on a Computer
If the camera fails to format the card or doesn't recognise it at all, the card itself might be faulty.
- Safely remove the card from the camera.
- Use an SD card adapter to insert it into a computer.
- See if the computer can recognise the card. Try copying a small file to it and then deleting it. If the computer also struggles to read or write to the card, the card has likely failed and needs to be replaced.
5. Reboot Your Ezviz Camera and Update Firmware
If you've confirmed the card is good and it's formatted correctly, a simple reboot can sometimes resolve a temporary glitch. Unplug the camera from power for 30 seconds and plug it back in. Additionally, check in the app's settings for any available firmware updates for your camera, as these can contain bug fixes related to storage.
By following these steps, you can solve the vast majority of local storage issues and ensure your Ezviz camera is reliably recording all important events.