Troubleshooting: Hikvision Camera or NVR Can't Save Locally
Being able to save video footage locally to a microSD card or a Network Video Recorder (NVR) is a key feature of Hikvision security systems. When this function fails, it undermines the reliability of your entire setup. This guide will help you diagnose and fix the most common reasons why your Hikvision device isn't saving recordings.
This guide applies to both cameras recording to an internal microSD card and NVRs recording to an internal hard disk drive (HDD).
## Step 1: Check the Physical Installation and Status
First, ensure the storage medium is correctly installed and recognised by the system.
- For microSD Cards: Power down the camera completely before inserting or removing the card. Ensure it's pushed in until it clicks into place.
- For NVR Hard Drives: Power off the NVR. Open the case and check that both the SATA data and power cables are securely connected to the hard drive and the NVR's mainboard.
Once reconnected, power the device back on and check the storage status in the settings menu. If the drive or card is listed as "Uninitialised" or "Error," proceed to the next step.
## Step 2: Initialise or Format the Storage Device
A new storage device must be formatted by the Hikvision system before it can be used. This process erases all data and sets up the correct file system.
Warning: This will permanently delete all existing recordings on the storage device.
- Log into your NVR or camera via a web browser or the local monitor interface.
- Navigate to Configuration > Storage > Storage Management.
- You should see your HDD or microSD card listed. Select it by ticking the checkbox next to it.
- Click the "Format" or "Init" (Initialise) button.
- The process will take a few minutes. Once complete, the status should change to "Normal" or "R/W" (Read/Write).
If the formatting process fails repeatedly, the storage device itself may be faulty.
## Step 3: Configure the Recording Schedule
Just because a drive is installed doesn't mean the system is set to record. You need to tell it when to record.
- In the configuration menu, go to Storage > Schedule Settings.
- Select the camera you want to configure.
- Make sure the "Enable Schedule" checkbox is ticked.
- You will see a timetable for the week. To set up 24/7 continuous recording, click the "Continuous" option, and then draw a box across the entire grid.
- To set up recording only on motion, click the "Motion" option and draw a box across the grid.
- Crucially, click "Save" to apply the settings.
## Step 4: Use High-Quality, Appropriate Storage
The type of storage you use matters immensely for reliability.
- MicroSD Cards: Standard SD cards are not designed for the constant rewriting that a security camera performs. They will fail quickly. You must use a high-endurance or industrial-grade microSD card specifically designed for video surveillance.
- NVR Hard Drives: Similarly, standard desktop HDDs are not built for 24/7 operation. Use a surveillance-grade hard drive (e.g., Western Digital Purple, Seagate SkyHawk). These are engineered for reliability in a surveillance environment.
Using the wrong type of storage is a leading cause of recording failures. If you've followed all the steps above and still have issues, your storage medium is the most likely culprit.