Troubleshooting Foscam's Lack of Continuous Recording
A key feature of many Foscam security cameras is the ability to record footage continuously, 24/7, ensuring that no moment is missed. If you've discovered that your camera is only recording short clips or not recording at all, it's likely a configuration issue. This guide will help you diagnose and fix the problem to enable continuous video recording.
## Common Symptoms of a Recording Failure
First, let's confirm the problem. You might be experiencing one of these issues:
- The camera only saves clips when motion is detected.
- The playback timeline in the Foscam app or web interface has large gaps.
- No new video files are being saved to your SD card, NVR, or FTP server.
- The camera stops recording after a few hours.
- The storage (e.g., SD card) shows as full, and the camera has stopped recording instead of overwriting old files.
- You can see the live stream, but no footage is being stored.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Continuous Recording
Follow these solutions to get your Foscam camera recording around the clock.
### 1. Check the Recording Schedule and Mode
The most common reason for a lack of continuous recording is simply that the camera is set to 'Motion Detection' or 'Alarm Recording' mode. You need to change this to a scheduled, continuous mode.
Using the Foscam Web Interface (Recommended):
- Find Your Camera's IP Address: Use the Foscam VMS tool or check your router's device list to find the camera's local IP address.
- Log In: Open a web browser, type in the IP address, and log in with your camera's username and password.
- Navigate to Recording Settings: Look for a 'Recording' or 'Storage' tab.
- Set the Schedule: Find the 'Recording Schedule' or a similar option. You will typically see a grid representing the hours of the day and days of the week.
- Enable Continuous Recording: Select the 'Continuous' or 'Scheduled' recording option and drag your mouse across the entire grid to schedule it for 24/7 operation. Ensure you save your changes.
Using the Foscam App:
- The steps can vary by app version, but generally, you will go to the camera's Settings, find Recording, and look for a Recording Schedule to modify.
### 2. Verify Your Storage Medium
Whether you're using an SD card, NVR, or cloud storage, it must be functioning correctly.
-
For Micro SD Card Users:
- Quality Matters: Use a high-endurance Micro SD card designed for the constant writing and rewriting of security cameras. A standard SD card can fail quickly.
- Format the Card: In the camera's storage settings, use the 'Format' function. This erases the card and prepares it for the camera.
- Enable Loop Recording: Ensure that 'Loop Recording' or 'Overwrite' is enabled. This allows the camera to automatically delete the oldest footage to make space for new recordings when the card is full. If this is off, recording will stop once the card's capacity is reached.
-
For NVR/NAS Users:
- The recording schedule is controlled by the NVR or NAS, not the camera. You must log in to your NVR's interface and set the 24/7 recording schedule for that specific camera (channel) there.
### 3. Update Your Camera's Firmware
Bugs in the camera's firmware can sometimes cause recording issues.
- Check for Updates: Log in to the Foscam web interface and go to the 'System' or 'Device Information' section. There should be an option to 'Check for Firmware Update'.
- Install Updates: If a new version is available, follow the instructions carefully to update your camera.
### 4. Ensure a Stable Power Supply
An unstable power supply can cause the camera to reboot unexpectedly, interrupting the recording process. Ensure you are using the original Foscam power adapter and that it's plugged into a reliable power source.
By systematically checking your camera's recording schedule, verifying your storage health, and ensuring your firmware is up to date, you can resolve most issues preventing continuous recording and restore your 24/7 surveillance.