Resolving the "Recording Failed" Error on Hik Connect
The "Recording Failed" notification from your Hik Connect or Hikvision system is a critical alert that needs immediate attention. It means that for some reason, your security system is unable to save video footage, leaving your property unmonitored. This error message can be alarming, but it's usually caused by a diagnosable issue with your storage or configuration.
This guide will walk you through the most common causes of recording failures on Hikvision DVRs, NVRs, and cameras, providing you with a clear, step-by-step process to identify and resolve the problem, ensuring your system is always recording when it needs to.
Understanding the Root of the Problem
At its core, "Recording Failed" means there's a breakdown in the process of writing video data to your storage device, which is typically a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) in an NVR/DVR or a microSD card in a camera. The failure can happen at several points, so we need to investigate methodically.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Start with the most common and easiest-to-fix issues first.
### 1. Check Hard Drive / Storage Status
The first place to look is the health and status of your storage media.
- Log into your DVR/NVR's local interface (connected to a monitor) or via a web browser.
- Navigate to Storage > Storage Device.
- Here, you will see the status of your hard drive(s).
- Status: It should say 'Normal'. If it says 'Error', 'Uninitialized', or anything else, there is a problem.
- Free Space: Check how much free space is left. If it is full or nearly full, this is your problem.
Solutions:
- If the status is 'Uninitialized': You need to format the drive. Select it and click the Format (or 'Init') button. Warning: This will erase all existing recordings.
- If the drive is full: Ensure the 'Overwrite' setting is enabled. Go to Record > Parameters > Record. There should be an option for 'Overwrite'. Set it to 'Yes' or 'Enable'. This will automatically delete the oldest footage to make room for new recordings.
- If the status is 'Error': The hard drive may have failed or is failing. First, try reformatting it. If the error persists, the drive will likely need to be replaced. Always use a surveillance-grade HDD designed for 24/7 operation.
### 2. Verify Camera and Network Connection
The recorder can't save what it doesn't receive. If a camera loses its connection to the recorder, it will trigger a recording failure.
- Check Live View: Ensure you can see a live feed from all your cameras. If one is black or shows 'No Signal', there is a connection issue with that specific camera.
- Inspect Cables: Check the network cable (for IP cameras) or coaxial cable (for analogue cameras) at both the camera and recorder ends. Ensure it's securely plugged in and not damaged.
- Check Power: Verify that the camera has power. Check its power adapter or the PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch.
### 3. Review the Recording Schedule
You might simply have told the system not to record.
- In the recorder's menu, go to Storage > Schedule Settings.
- Select a camera and check the schedule grid. The grid represents the hours of the day and days of the week.
- Ensure the squares are coloured in for the times you want to record. There are usually different colours for continuous recording (often green) and motion detection (often yellow).
- If the grid is entirely blank (grey), it means no recording is scheduled. You must draw a schedule for each camera.
### 4. Check for System Errors and Logs
The system log is an excellent tool for getting more specific information about the failure.
- Navigate to Maintenance > Log Information.
- Search for logs around the time the recording failure occurred. Look for specific error messages like 'HDD Error', 'IP Conflict', or 'Camera Disconnected'. This can point you directly to the source of the problem.
By systematically checking the storage, connections, and settings, you can effectively troubleshoot the "Recording Failed" error and restore your Hik Connect system's most important function.