Is Your Fermax System Failing to Record 24/7?
There is nothing more frustrating than discovering gaps in your security footage, especially when you rely on your Fermax system for continuous surveillance. If your camera system only seems to be recording clips or stopping altogether, it undermines its very purpose. This guide is designed to help you, as a UK user, diagnose and resolve the common issues that prevent your Fermax system from recording continuously.
This is a common problem that can usually be fixed by checking a few key areas. We will walk you through the settings, hardware, and configurations to restore your peace of mind and ensure your property is monitored without interruption.
Common Symptoms of Recording Failures
Before diving into solutions, let's identify the signs that your system isn't recording continuously. If you're experiencing any of the following, this guide is for you.
- Gaps in Your Timeline: When you review playback footage, you notice chunks of time are missing.
- Motion-Only Recordings: The system only saves clips when movement is detected, even when you want it to record 24/7.
- Recording Stops Randomly: The system records for a while but then ceases without any obvious reason.
- Inability to Find the Setting: You're navigating the menus but cannot locate the option to enable continuous recording.
- Error Messages: You see notifications on your monitor or in the app related to storage, recording failure, or video loss.
- Storage Not Filling Up: The hard drive seems to have plenty of space, suggesting it's not writing data as expected.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Fermax Continuous Recording
Follow these steps in order to identify and fix the root cause of your recording problem.
1. Verify Your Recording Schedule Settings
The most common culprit is a simple misconfiguration in the system's settings. Your Fermax NVR or DVR controls the recording schedule for each camera.
- Access the Main Menu: Log in to your Fermax recorder's interface using a connected monitor or the web interface.
- Navigate to 'Record' or 'Storage': Find the section that controls recording schedules. This is often labelled 'Schedule', 'Recording Schedule', or similar.
- Select the Correct Camera: Choose the camera that is not recording continuously.
- Set the Schedule to 'Continuous': You will likely see a grid representing the hours of the day and days of the week. Ensure the entire grid is set to 'Continuous' (often represented by a green colour) and not 'Motion' (yellow) or 'Alarm'.
- Apply and Save: Make sure to save your changes before exiting the menu. Do this for all cameras you wish to record continuously.
2. Inspect Your Hard Drive (HDD)
The hard drive is the heart of your recording system. If it's faulty, full, or not up to the task, recording will fail.
- Check HDD Status: In the Fermax system menu, find the 'Storage' or 'HDD Management' section. It should show the status of the hard drive. If it says 'Error', 'Unformatted', or is not visible at all, there is a problem.
- Format the Hard Drive: If the drive is recognised but having issues, a reformat can solve the problem. IMPORTANT: This will erase all existing footage. Use the 'Format' or 'Initialise' function within the Fermax menu.
- Ensure It's a Surveillance-Grade Drive: Standard desktop HDDs are not designed for the 24/7 write operations of a CCTV system. They can fail prematurely. Ensure you are using a surveillance-grade drive (e.g., WD Purple, Seagate SkyHawk).
- Check Storage Capacity: Is the drive full? While most systems are set to overwrite the oldest footage, this setting can sometimes be disabled. If it's full and not overwriting, you'll need to clear space or enable the overwrite function.
3. Update Your System's Firmware
Manufacturers release firmware updates to fix bugs and improve performance. An outdated firmware could be the source of your recording issues.
- Check for Updates: Visit the official Fermax website or check within your system's maintenance menu for any available firmware updates for your specific NVR/DVR model.
- Follow Installation Instructions Carefully: Download the update to a USB stick and follow the manufacturer's precise instructions for applying it. An incorrect update can cause further problems.
4. Check Power and Connections
A stable power supply and secure connections are crucial for both the recorder and the cameras.
- Ensure Consistent Power: Make sure the Fermax NVR/DVR is plugged into a reliable power source. A power cut or faulty power adapter can corrupt the hard drive and stop recordings.
- Inspect Camera Cables: For IP cameras, ensure the Ethernet cable is securely plugged in at both ends. For analogue cameras, check the BNC and power connectors. A loose connection can lead to video loss, which stops the recording.
By systematically working through these steps, you can identify the reason your Fermax system has stopped recording continuously and take the necessary action to resolve it, ensuring your security is never compromised.