How to Fix Recording Failures on Friedland Security Cameras
A security camera that doesn't record is of little use. If you've discovered that your Friedland camera has stopped saving video clips, it's crucial to address the problem quickly. In most cases, the "Recording Failed" issue is not due to a faulty camera but is related to the storage medium (usually a microSD card) or a simple settings misconfiguration.
This troubleshooting guide will take you through the most common causes of recording failures on Friedland cameras and how to resolve them.
## Understanding How Your Friedland Camera Records
Most Friedland smart cameras are designed to record footage locally onto a microSD card that is inserted into the camera itself. Recordings are typically triggered by motion detection. When the camera's sensor detects movement, it saves a video clip of the event to this card. A failure in this process is what leads to a lack of recordings.
The most common points of failure are:
- The microSD card itself.
- The camera's motion detection settings.
- A temporary software glitch.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Work through these steps in order to diagnose and fix the issue.
### Step 1: Perform a Simple Power Cycle
The first and easiest step in troubleshooting any electronic device is to reboot it. This can clear temporary errors in the camera's memory.
- Disconnect Power: Unplug your Friedland camera from its power source.
- Wait: Leave the camera unplugged for at least 30-60 seconds.
- Reconnect Power: Plug the camera back in and give it a few minutes to fully restart and connect to the network.
After the reboot, try to trigger a recording by moving in front of the camera and then check the app to see if a new clip has been saved.
### Step 2: Check the MicroSD Card
Issues with the microSD card are the number one cause of recording failures.
- Ensure it's Seated Correctly: Power off the camera and carefully eject the microSD card. Then, re-insert it firmly, making sure it clicks into place. A loose card cannot be read by the camera.
- Check if it's Full: Log in to the Friedland app, go to the camera's settings, and find the storage management section. It should tell you the card's capacity and how much space is used. If the card is full and not set to overwrite, it will stop recording. Ensure the 'Loop Recording' or 'Overwrite' feature is enabled.
- Verify Card Quality: Your camera requires a Class 10 microSD card for smooth video recording. Look for a "C10" or "U1" symbol on the card. If you are using an older, slower card, it may not be able to keep up, causing recordings to fail. Always use cards from reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Kingston.
### Step 3: Format the MicroSD Card within the App
If the card's data has become corrupted, the camera won't be able to write new files to it. Formatting the card will erase all data and fix this.
Important: You must format the card using the Friedland app to ensure it has the correct file structure.
- Open the App: Select your camera.
- Go to Settings: Find the 'Storage Settings' or 'SD Card Management' menu.
- Format: Select the 'Format' option. This process will take a minute and will delete all existing footage.
After formatting, the camera should be able to save new recordings.
### Step 4: Review Motion Detection Settings
If the camera isn't detecting motion, it won't be triggered to record.
- Check if Motion Detection is On: In the camera's settings within the app, ensure that the main toggle for 'Motion Detection' is enabled.
- Adjust Sensitivity: If the sensitivity is set too low, it may not be picking up movement. Try increasing the sensitivity level.
- Check Detection Zones: If you have configured specific activity zones, make sure they cover the areas where you expect to see motion. An incorrectly drawn zone could mean events are being ignored.
- Check Recording Schedule: Ensure you do not have a schedule set that disables motion detection or recording during certain times of the day.
## When to Suspect a Faulty Card or Camera
If you have formatted the card and it still fails to record, or if the app gives an error during formatting, the microSD card itself has likely failed. These cards have a limited lifespan and can wear out over time. The next logical step is to try a brand new, genuine Class 10 microSD card.
If you install a new, known-good card and the recording function still fails after formatting it in the app, this could indicate a hardware problem with the camera's card slot or internal processing. In this scenario, you should contact Friedland customer support for further assistance and potential warranty options.