Hikvision 'Recording Failed' Error? A Step-by-Step Fix

Is Your Hikvision System Failing to Record?

A "Recording Failed" error or a similar alert on your Hikvision NVR (Network Video Recorder) or DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is a critical issue. The primary function of your CCTV system is to record footage, and when it fails, your property is left without a security record. This error can manifest as a pop-up on your monitor, a persistent beeping sound from the recorder, or a notification in your IVMS-4200 or Hik-Connect app.

This problem almost always points to an issue with the system's storage—the hard disk drive (HDD). However, it can also be caused by incorrect configuration settings or network problems. This guide will walk you through the essential troubleshooting steps to diagnose and resolve the recording failure on your Hikvision system.

Step 1: Check the Hard Drive (HDD) Status

The first and most important step is to check how the NVR/DVR sees the internal hard drive.

1. Log in to your NVR/DVR using the administrator password (either directly with a connected mouse and monitor or via a web browser).
2. Navigate to the main menu and find HDD, Storage, or Storage Management.
3. You will see a list of the hard drives installed in the unit.
4. Look at the Status column.
   • Normal: The drive is working correctly. If the status is normal but you're still not recording, the problem is likely with your recording schedule (see Step 2).
   • Uninitialized: The drive is detected but has not been formatted for use by the recorder. This is common with new drives. You must initialize it (see below).
   • Error: The recorder has detected a problem with the drive. It could be failing or have bad sectors.
   • No Drive Detected / Offline: The recorder cannot see the drive at all. This could be a loose cable or a completely failed drive.

Step 2: Initialize the Hard Drive

If the drive status is "Uninitialized" or "Error," the next step is to format it. Warning: This action will permanently erase all existing footage on the hard drive.

1. In the same HDD/Storage menu, select the hard drive.
2. Click the "Init" or "Format" button.
3. The system will warn you that all data will be erased. Confirm that you want to proceed.
4. The process will take a few minutes. Once complete, the drive status should change to "Normal".
5. After initialization, the system should begin recording automatically based on your schedule.

If the initialization fails or the status returns to "Error," the hard drive is likely faulty and needs to be replaced.

Step 3: Verify the Recording Schedule

If your hard drive status is "Normal" but recording isn't happening, your schedule is the next place to check.

1. From the main menu, navigate to Record, Schedule, or Recording Schedule.
2. Select a camera from the dropdown list.
3. You will see a grid representing the hours of the day and days of the week.
4. This grid should be coloured in. Different colours represent different recording types (e.g., green for continuous, yellow for motion detection).
5. If the grid is completely grey or blank, no recording schedule is set.
6. Click the "Edit" button. You can then select the days and times you want to record and choose the recording type (e.g., Continuous, Motion).
7. To quickly set a 24/7 continuous recording schedule, you can often draw a box over the entire grid.
8. Crucially, copy this schedule to your other cameras if you want them all to record in the same way. There is usually a "Copy to" button for this.
9. Save your settings.

Step 4: Check Camera and Network Status

A recording can also fail if the NVR cannot receive the video stream from the camera.

• In the Camera Management or Camera Settings menu, check the status of your IP cameras.
• The status should be "Online" (usually indicated with a green icon).
• If a camera is "Offline", the NVR cannot connect to it. This could be due to a network issue, a problem with the camera's power supply, or an incorrect password entered in the camera's configuration. Check the physical cable connections and the camera's power source.

By systematically checking the hard drive, formatting it if necessary, and verifying your recording schedule, you can solve the vast majority of "Recording Failed" errors on Hikvision systems and ensure your security is never compromised.