Troubleshooting Friedland Cloud Storage and Recording Issues
Using a Friedland security camera with a cloud storage plan is an excellent way to keep your video recordings safe and accessible from anywhere. However, when it doesn't work as expected—recordings are missing, playback fails, or you encounter subscription errors—it can be a serious concern.
This guide is here to provide professional and clear solutions to help you resolve the most common Friedland cloud storage problems, ensuring your security footage is being captured and stored reliably.
## Common Cloud Storage Problems and Symptoms
To fix the issue, you first need to identify it. Here are the most frequent complaints related to cloud storage:
- No New Recordings: The camera is online, but no new motion-triggered events are being saved to the cloud.
- Playback Failure: You can see a list of recorded clips, but when you try to watch one, it results in an error, an endless loading spinner, or a black screen.
- Choppy or Laggy Playback: The video plays but constantly freezes, stutters, or is heavily pixelated.
- Missing Footage: You are certain an event occurred, but there is no corresponding video clip in your cloud library for that time.
- Subscription Errors: The app indicates that you do not have an active cloud plan, or that your storage is full when you believe it shouldn't be.
- Cannot Download Clips: You are unable to save a recorded video from the cloud directly to your phone or computer.
## A Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving Cloud Issues
Let's work through the potential causes and their solutions methodically.
### 1. Check the Camera's Connectivity and Status
The cloud can't record anything if the camera can't send it. The camera's connection is the foundation of the entire system.
- Verify Wi-Fi Signal Strength: In the Friedland app, go to your camera's settings and check the reported Wi-Fi signal strength. A weak or unstable signal will prevent the camera from reliably uploading video files. If the signal is poor, try moving your camera closer to your Wi-Fi router or consider a Wi-Fi extender.
- Test Internet Upload Speed: Cloud storage relies on your internet connection's upload speed. Run an internet speed test from a device on the same Wi-Fi network. For reliable HD video uploading, you typically need a consistent upload speed of at least 2-4 Mbps per camera.
- Reboot the Camera and Router: The classic IT solution works for a reason. Power cycle your camera (unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in) and do the same for your internet router. This can clear up many temporary connectivity glitches.
### 2. Review App Settings and Subscription Status
Incorrect settings or a lapsed subscription are common, easily fixed culprits.
- Confirm Your Subscription: Log into your account management section in the app or on the Friedland website. Double-check that your cloud storage subscription is active, paid for, and applied to the correct camera(s).
- Check Motion Detection Settings: A camera will only record to the cloud when it detects motion. Ensure that motion detection is enabled for the camera in question. Check that the sensitivity is set appropriately and that you haven't accidentally scheduled it to be off during the times you expect it to be recording.
- Update the App and Firmware: Make sure you are running the latest version of the Friedland mobile app from your app store. Additionally, check within the app for any available firmware updates for your camera. Updates often contain bug fixes that can resolve recording issues.
### 3. Troubleshooting Playback Problems
If recordings are there but won't play correctly, the issue is likely with your viewing device or network.
- Switch Networks: If playback is choppy on your home Wi-Fi, try switching your phone to your 4G/5G mobile data connection. If it plays smoothly on mobile data, the issue is with your local Wi-Fi network's download speed.
- Lower the Playback Quality: Many apps allow you to choose between SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition) for playback. If you are on a slow connection, switching to SD can enable smoother viewing.
- Clear App Cache: On Android phones, you can go into your phone's settings, find the Friedland app, and clear its cache. This can sometimes resolve persistent playback errors.
If you have worked through all these steps and are still experiencing issues, it may be time to contact Friedland's official customer support. Be ready to provide them with your camera's model number, your account details, and the troubleshooting steps you have already taken.