How to Fix the 'Recording Failed' Error on Your Guardzilla Camera
The 'Recording Failed' notification is one of the most critical errors you can receive from your Guardzilla camera. It means that a motion event was detected, but for some reason, the camera was unable to save the corresponding video clip. This leaves a critical gap in your security coverage and needs to be addressed immediately.
This troubleshooting guide will explain the common reasons why you might be seeing this error and provide you with a clear, step-by-step process to diagnose and resolve the problem. Let's get your Guardzilla camera recording reliably again.
## Understanding Why Recordings Fail
The Guardzilla system relies on a stable connection to its cloud servers to store your video clips. The 'Recording Failed' error almost always indicates a breakdown in this communication process. Here are the most likely culprits:
- Poor Wi-Fi Connectivity: The camera's connection to your router is weak or unstable, causing the video upload to time out or fail.
- Internet Service Disruption: Your home internet connection might be down or experiencing temporary issues.
- Guardzilla Server Issues: The problem might not be on your end. The Guardzilla cloud servers could be temporarily offline or undergoing maintenance.
- Subscription or Account Problems: An expired cloud storage subscription or an account issue can prevent new recordings from being saved.
- Camera Software Glitch: A temporary bug in the camera's firmware could be interfering with the recording process.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Work through these steps in order to isolate and fix the issue.
### Step 1: The Universal Fix - Reboot Everything
Before you dive into more complex troubleshooting, a simple power cycle can resolve a surprising number of temporary glitches.
- Unplug your Guardzilla camera from the power source.
- Unplug your Wi-Fi router and your modem.
- Wait for at least 60 seconds. This allows the devices to fully power down and clear their memory.
- Plug your modem back in first. Wait for it to fully connect (all lights stable).
- Plug your Wi-Fi router back in. Wait for its lights to indicate it's online.
- Finally, plug your Guardzilla camera back in and give it a few minutes to reconnect to the network.
After this process, test the camera by creating a motion event to see if it now records successfully.
### Step 2: Check Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength
A weak signal is a primary cause of upload failures.
- In the Guardzilla app, go to the camera's settings and look for a 'Network Status' or 'Wi-Fi Strength' indicator.
- If the signal is reported as 'Weak' or 'Poor', you need to improve it.
- Move the camera closer to the Wi-Fi router. Even moving it a few feet can make a big difference.
- If moving the camera isn't an option, consider relocating your router to a more central position in your home or installing a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal in the camera's location.
### Step 3: Verify Your Subscription Status
If the camera can't save to the cloud, it will report a failure.
- Log in to your account on the official Guardzilla website (not just the app).
- Navigate to the 'Subscription' or 'Billing' section.
- Confirm that your cloud recording plan is active and that your payment method is current. An expired credit card can cause your subscription to lapse without you realising it.
### Step 4: Check for Service Outages
Sometimes, the problem is with Guardzilla's service, not your equipment.
- Check Guardzilla's official social media pages (like Twitter or Facebook) or their support website. Companies often post announcements about server maintenance or unexpected outages.
- You can also check third-party service status websites like Downdetector to see if other users are reporting similar issues. If there is a widespread outage, you will simply have to wait for Guardzilla to resolve it on their end.
By methodically working through these steps, you can pinpoint the reason for the 'Recording Failed' error and take the necessary action to restore your camera's functionality.