Imou Camera Not Saving Locally? Troubleshooting Guide

Can't Save Locally? A Guide to Fixing Imou Camera Recording Issues

One of the best features of Imou security cameras is the flexibility to choose how you store your video footage. While the Imou Protect cloud service is a great option, many users prefer the control and cost-effectiveness of saving recordings locally to a Micro SD card or a Network Video Recorder (NVR).

If you're having trouble with local storage, this guide will walk you through the most common problems and their solutions.

Problem 1: Issues with Micro SD Card Recording

This is the most frequent local storage problem. You've inserted an SD card, but the camera isn't recording, or you're seeing errors in the Imou Life app.

Symptom Checklist

• The app displays a "No SD card" or "SD card error" message.
• You can't see the storage capacity information in the camera's settings.
• The app fails when you try to format the SD card.
• Motion events trigger a notification, but there is no recorded video clip to review.
• Playback is choppy, freezes, or the recorded files are corrupted.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Check SD Card Compatibility: This is the number one cause of issues.

   • Quality: Use a high-quality, authentic SD card from a reputable brand (e.g., SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston). Avoid cheap, unbranded cards.
   • Class: The card must be Class 10 or have a UHS speed rating of U1 or U3. This is required to handle the write speeds of HD video recording.
   • Capacity: Check the maximum supported SD card capacity for your specific Imou camera model. Inserting a 256GB card into a camera that only supports up to 128GB will cause it to fail.

2. Format the SD Card in the App: Do not format the card on your computer. You must use the formatting tool within the Imou Life app.

   • Open the Imou Life app and select your camera.
   • Tap the settings icon (the gear in the top right).
   • Go to Storage Settings > Local Storage / SD Card.
   • Tap Format. This will erase all data on the card and prepare it for use with the camera.

3. Physically Re-insert the Card: Power down your camera completely. Carefully eject the Micro SD card, check for any dust or debris on the contacts, and then re-insert it firmly until you feel it click into place. Power the camera back on and check the app again.

4. Test the SD Card: If problems persist, the card itself may be faulty. Try the SD card in another device (like a computer or another camera) to see if it works. You can also run a diagnostic tool like h2testw on a PC to check for errors on the card.

Problem 2: Issues with NVR Recording

If you're trying to save footage to a Network Video Recorder (NVR), connection problems are the usual suspect.

Symptom Checklist

• The NVR cannot find or discover the Imou camera on the network.
• The camera feed on the NVR shows "Offline" or "Video Loss".
• The NVR connects, but the stream is unstable or recordings are patchy.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Confirm Network Connection: The Imou camera and the NVR must be connected to the same local network (i.e., plugged into the same router or network switch).
2. Enable ONVIF/RTSP: Ensure your Imou camera is compatible with the ONVIF protocol, which most third-party NVRs use to communicate with cameras. You may need to log into the camera's web interface (if available) to enable this.
3. Check IP Address and Credentials: When adding the camera to your NVR, you will need to manually input its IP address, username, and password. Double-check that this information is correct. The password is often the "Safety Code" printed on the camera's label.
4. Reboot Your Equipment: A simple but often effective step. Reboot your Imou camera, your NVR, and your network router to refresh all network connections.

By following these steps, you can resolve the vast majority of local storage issues and ensure your Imou camera is reliably capturing every important moment.