Troubleshooting: Guardzilla Camera Can't Save to Local Storage
Using a microSD card for local storage on your Guardzilla camera is a great way to keep your video footage without needing a cloud subscription. However, it can be frustrating when you insert a card and find that your camera isn't saving any clips to it.
This guide will help you diagnose and fix the common problems that prevent Guardzilla cameras from saving video to a local SD card, from incorrect settings to hardware issues.
Common Reasons for Local Storage Failure
When your Guardzilla camera fails to save footage locally, it's usually due to one of these five reasons:
- Improper SD Card Insertion: The card isn't fully seated in its slot.
- Incompatible or Faulty Card: The microSD card is too slow, too large, or has failed.
- Incorrect Formatting: The card's file system is not compatible with the camera.
- Wrong App Settings: The camera is configured to save to the cloud instead of locally.
- Firmware Glitch: A temporary software issue is preventing the camera from accessing the card.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Local Recording Issues
Follow these steps in order to get your camera saving clips directly to your microSD card.
1. Power Cycle and Reseat the SD Card
Always start with the simplest physical checks.
- Unplug your Guardzilla camera from its power source.
- Carefully eject the microSD card.
- Inspect the card for any physical damage and ensure the metal contacts are clean.
- Firmly re-insert the card back into the camera until you hear or feel it click into place.
- Plug the camera back in and wait for it to fully reboot.
Sometimes, a poor connection is the only thing wrong.
2. Verify SD Card Compatibility
Ensure you are using the right type of card for your device.
- Check the Manual: Refer to your Guardzilla model's specifications to find the maximum supported SD card capacity (e.g., 64GB, 128GB). Using a card larger than the supported limit will cause it to fail.
- Speed Class: For smooth video recording, a Class 10 (C10) or UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) card is typically required.
- Use a High-Endurance Card: For best results and longevity, use a microSD card specifically designed for security cameras. These are built to handle constant video writing.
3. Format the SD Card Using the Guardzilla App
Formatting prepares the card for use and clears any file system errors. Important: This will permanently erase all data on the card.
- Open the Guardzilla app.
- Select your camera and go to its Settings.
- Find the "Storage" or "SD Card" menu.
- If the card is detected, you should see an option to "Format" or "Reformat".
- Tap this option and confirm. Wait for the process to complete. This is the best way to ensure the card has the correct file format (like FAT32) for the camera.
4. Check the Recording Settings in the App
You need to tell the camera where to save its recordings.
- In the camera's settings menu within the Guardzilla app, look for a "Recording Destination" or "Storage Path" option.
- Ensure that this is set to "Local Storage" or "SD Card".
- If it's set to "Cloud Storage", the camera will ignore the inserted card.
5. Update and Reset
If all else fails, a software update or reset might be necessary.
- Firmware Update: Check if there is a firmware update available for your camera in the app's settings. Install it if there is one.
- Factory Reset: As a last resort, perform a factory reset on the camera. This will restore it to its default settings, and you will need to set it up again from scratch. This can often resolve persistent software bugs.