How to Fix 'Recording Failed' Errors on Your Geeni Camera
The "Recording Failed" error on a Geeni smart camera is a common but frustrating problem. This message indicates that the camera is unable to save video footage to your microSD card, which undermines a key security feature. Fortunately, this issue can usually be resolved by following a few straightforward troubleshooting steps related to the storage card and camera settings.
This guide will walk you through the most common causes of this error and how to fix them, getting your camera back to recording reliably.
## Understanding Why the 'Recording Failed' Error Occurs
Your Geeni camera relies on a physical microSD card inserted into the device to store recorded video clips. Unlike some brands that use cloud storage, Geeni's primary recording method is local. The "Recording Failed" error almost always points to a problem in the communication between the camera and this card.
Common causes include:
- A full microSD card: There is no space left to save new recordings.
- An improperly formatted card: The card is not using the correct file system for the camera.
- A corrupted card: The data on the card has become unreadable.
- A low-quality or incompatible card: The card is too slow (not Class 10) or is a counterfeit.
- A poorly seated card: The card is not making proper physical contact in the slot.
- A temporary camera glitch: The camera's software needs a refresh.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Follow these steps in order. In most cases, the first few steps will solve the problem.
### Step 1: Power Cycle Your Geeni Camera
Before trying anything more complex, a simple reboot can often clear temporary software glitches that might be preventing recording.
- Unplug the Camera: Disconnect your Geeni camera from its power source.
- Wait 30 Seconds: Leave it unplugged for at least half a minute to ensure it fully powers down.
- Plug It Back In: Reconnect the power and wait for the camera to fully boot up, which may take a minute or two.
Once the camera is back online in the Geeni app, check if it is now recording correctly.
### Step 2: Eject and Re-insert the MicroSD Card
A poorly seated card is a very common culprit. The physical connection might be loose, preventing the camera from reading or writing to it.
- Power Off: Unplug the camera first to avoid corrupting the card.
- Eject the Card: Locate the microSD card slot. Carefully press the card in slightly until you feel a click, and it should then pop out.
- Inspect the Card: Check the card for any physical damage or dirt on the gold contacts.
- Re-insert the Card: Carefully slide the card back into the slot until you feel it click securely into place.
- Power On: Plug the camera back in and check its status in the app.
### Step 3: Format the MicroSD Card via the Geeni App
If the card is full, corrupted, or was previously used in another device, it needs to be formatted specifically for your Geeni camera. This will erase all existing recordings on the card.
Important: You must format the card using the Geeni app, not your computer. This ensures the correct file system (usually FAT32) is used.
- Open the Geeni App: Select the camera you are having issues with.
- Go to Settings: Tap the settings icon (often a pencil or gear icon) in the top right corner.
- Find Storage Settings: Look for an option called 'SD Card Settings' or 'Storage Settings'.
- Format: You should see information about the card's capacity. Tap the 'Format SD Card' option and confirm your choice.
The process will take a minute. Once complete, the camera should automatically begin recording new events.
### Step 4: Use a High-Quality, Compatible MicroSD Card
If formatting the card doesn't work, or if the format option fails, the card itself may be the problem. Geeni cameras require a Class 10 microSD card for smooth HD video recording.
- Check the Class: Look for a 'C' symbol with the number '10' inside it on the card itself. If it's a lower class (e.g., Class 4 or 6), it may be too slow to handle the video data, causing the recording to fail.
- Use Reputable Brands: Always purchase microSD cards from well-known, reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Kingston. The market is flooded with cheap, counterfeit cards that have a high failure rate and often report a false capacity.
- Try a New Card: If you have followed all the steps above and the error persists, the most likely cause is a faulty or incompatible card. Try a brand new, genuine Class 10 card.
## When the Problem Continues
If you have tried a new, known-good microSD card and have correctly formatted it within the app, but the "Recording Failed" error still appears, there may be a hardware fault with the camera itself. In this situation, the best course of action is to contact Geeni customer support for further assistance and potential warranty service.