How to Fix a Guardzilla Camera That Is Not Recording
A security camera that doesn't record is a significant problem. If you've noticed that your Guardzilla camera has stopped saving video clips of motion events, it's crucial to address the issue immediately. This guide will walk you through the most common causes and provide effective solutions to get your camera recording again.
Common Reasons Your Guardzilla Camera Isn't Recording
The problem typically falls into one of three categories: storage, settings, or connectivity. By understanding the potential cause, you can resolve the issue much faster.
Potential culprits include:
- Storage Problems: Your microSD card is full, corrupted, or not properly inserted. Alternatively, your cloud storage subscription may have expired.
- Incorrect Settings: Motion detection has been disabled, the sensitivity is set too low, or a recording schedule is preventing it from being active.
- Connectivity Issues: The camera is offline and cannot communicate with the Guardzilla servers to upload recordings.
- Firmware Glitch: The camera's internal software has encountered a temporary error.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Guardzilla Recording Failures
Follow these steps in order to diagnose and fix the problem.
1. Verify Your Storage Solution
No available storage means no new recordings can be saved.
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For microSD Card Users:
- Power off the camera and carefully remove the SD card.
- Insert the card into a computer. Can the computer read it?
- If yes, check the available space. If it's full, you'll need to delete old files. It's often best to reformat the card directly from the Guardzilla app's settings to ensure it's set up correctly. Warning: Formatting will erase all existing footage.
- If the card is unreadable, it is likely corrupted and needs to be replaced. Choose a high-endurance microSD card designed for security cameras.
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For Cloud Storage Users:
- Open the Guardzilla app and go to your account management or subscription page.
- Confirm that your cloud recording plan is active and has not expired.
- Ensure the camera in question is correctly assigned to your active subscription.
2. Check the Camera's Status and Connectivity
The camera must be online to detect and record events.
- In the Guardzilla app, check if the camera's status is "Online".
- If it's "Offline", you need to troubleshoot its power and Wi-Fi connection first. Ensure it's plugged in and within range of your router. A weak Wi-Fi signal can prevent video clips from being uploaded successfully.
3. Review Your In-App Settings
Incorrect settings are a very common cause of recording failures.
- Motion Detection: Navigate to your camera's settings in the app. Make sure that Motion Detection is toggled ON.
- Sensitivity: If the motion sensitivity is too low, it may not pick up on events. Try increasing the sensitivity level.
- Activity Zones: If you have configured activity zones, double-check that they cover the areas you want to monitor. An event happening outside a defined zone will be ignored.
- Recording Schedule: Check if you have a schedule set that turns off recording or alerts at certain times. You may be testing during an "off" period.
4. Power Cycle the Camera
A simple reboot can clear up many temporary software issues that might be preventing the recording function from working.
- Unplug the Guardzilla camera from its power source.
- Wait for at least 60 seconds.
- Plug the camera back in and wait for it to restart and connect to the network.
- Once it's back online, test it by creating some motion in its view.
5. Update the Firmware
Ensure your camera is running the latest software.
- In the app's device settings, look for a "Firmware Update" option. Manufacturers often release updates to fix bugs, including those that could affect recording.
By methodically checking these key areas, you can identify why your Guardzilla camera stopped recording and restore this essential security feature.