Troubleshooting Guide: When Your I Pro Camera Won't Save Locally
Using a microSD card to save your I Pro camera's recordings locally is a great way to keep your footage without needing a cloud subscription. However, it can be frustrating when the camera fails to recognise the card or save recordings correctly.
This guide will walk you through the most common reasons why your I Pro camera might not be saving footage to your SD card and how to fix them.
1. Verify SD Card Compatibility
Not all SD cards are created equal. Security cameras require cards that can withstand constant writing and rewriting. Using the wrong type of card is the most frequent cause of recording failures.
- Card Type: Ensure you are using a microSD card, not a full-size SD card.
- Speed Class: For smooth video recording, a card with a Class 10 or UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) or higher rating is essential. This is usually indicated by a "C" with a "10" inside it or a "U" with a "1" or "3" inside.
- Capacity: Check the maximum supported capacity for your specific I Pro camera model. Inserting a 256GB card into a camera that only supports up to 128GB will cause issues.
- Brand: Stick to reputable, well-known brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Kingston. Unbranded, cheap cards are often unreliable and can fail quickly.
2. Format the SD Card Correctly
An SD card needs to be formatted with the correct file system for the camera to be able to read and write to it. The best way to do this is through the I Pro app itself.
- Insert the Card: Power off your camera, carefully insert the microSD card into the slot until it clicks, and then power the camera back on.
- Format via the App: Open the I Pro app and navigate to your camera's settings. Look for a "Storage Settings" or "SD Card Management" menu. There should be an option to "Format" or "Initialise" the card. This process will erase all data on the card and prepare it specifically for your camera.
If the app fails to format the card, you can try formatting it on a computer using the FAT32 file system, which is a common standard for many cameras.
3. Check App Settings for Local Recording
Simply inserting an SD card doesn't always mean the camera will start recording to it automatically. You may need to enable the feature in the app's settings.
- Go to the recording or storage settings for your camera in the I Pro app.
- Ensure that "Local Recording" or "Record to SD Card" is enabled.
- You may also have options to choose between "Event Recording" (only records when motion is detected) or "Continuous Recording". Make sure you've selected the option you prefer.
4. Reseat the SD Card and Reboot
Sometimes, the issue can be as simple as a poor physical connection.
- Power Off: Always turn off the camera before removing or inserting the SD card to prevent data corruption.
- Eject and Re-insert: Carefully eject the card, check for any dust or debris on the contacts, and then firmly re-insert it until you feel it click into place.
- Reboot: Power the camera back on. A reboot will force the system to re-scan for the presence of the SD card.
5. Test the SD Card
If you've tried all the above steps and it's still not working, the SD card itself may be faulty or worn out.
- Test in a Computer: Use an SD card reader to connect the card to a computer. See if you can read and write files to it. If the computer also fails to recognise it or shows errors, the card is likely the problem and needs to be replaced.