Kasa Cam Not Recording Video? Here's How to Fix It

Kasa Camera Not Recording? A Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

A Kasa camera that fails to record can be a significant security concern. Whether you're relying on cloud storage through a Kasa Care plan or local recording to a microSD card, it's essential that your camera captures events when they happen. This guide will help you diagnose and resolve the common reasons why your Kasa camera isn't recording.

Identifying the Root Cause of Recording Failures

Most recording issues with Kasa cameras stem from a few common areas. By understanding these, you can quickly find the right solution.

• Kasa Care Subscription: An expired or inactive subscription is the most common reason for cloud recording failure.
• MicroSD Card Issues: For local storage, the card may be full, corrupted, or not correctly formatted.
• Incorrect Settings: Activity zones or sensitivity settings might be configured in a way that prevents the camera from detecting motion.
• Poor Connectivity: An unstable Wi-Fi connection can prevent the camera from uploading video clips to the cloud.
• Firmware Bugs: Outdated camera firmware can sometimes lead to performance problems.

How to Fix Your Kasa Camera's Recording Problem

Follow these steps in sequence to get your camera back to recording as it should.

Step 1: Verify Your Kasa Care Subscription and Storage

First, confirm that your recording destination is active and available.

• For Kasa Care (Cloud Storage):

  1. Open the Kasa Smart app and tap the 'Activity' tab.
  2. Look for any messages about your Kasa Care plan.
  3. You can also log in to the TP-Link Kasa website to manage your subscription and verify that your plan is active and assigned to the correct camera.

• For MicroSD Card (Local Storage):

  1. In the Kasa app, select your camera and go to Device Settings > Local Recording.
  2. Ensure that the 'Local Recording' toggle is enabled.
  3. Check the status of the microSD card. If it says 'Needs Formatting' or shows an error, you will need to reformat it. Be aware that formatting erases all existing clips.
  4. If the card is full, make sure 'Loop Recording' is turned on. This will automatically overwrite the oldest footage when space is needed.

Step 2: Review Activity Detection and Notifications

If your storage is set up correctly, the issue might be with how your camera detects motion.

• Go to your camera's Device Settings > Activity Notifications.
• Check Sensitivity: Ensure the motion sensitivity is not set too low. You may want to increase it for testing purposes.
• Review Activity Zones: If you have configured Activity Zones, make sure they cover the areas where you expect motion to be detected. Any movement outside these zones will be ignored.
• Recording Schedule: Some Kasa models allow you to set a recording schedule. Check to ensure you don't have a schedule that is preventing recording at certain times.

Step 3: Check Wi-Fi Connection and Reboot Devices

A stable network is essential for your camera's functions.

• Signal Strength: In the camera's settings, find the Wi-Fi network details and check the signal strength. If it is weak (e.g., only one or two bars), this could be the cause. Try moving the camera closer to your router.
• Power Cycle:
  1. Unplug your Kasa camera from the power outlet.
  2. Unplug your router as well.
  3. Wait for about 60 seconds.
  4. Plug the router back in first and wait for it to fully connect to the internet.
  5. Plug your Kasa camera back in and let it reconnect.

Step 4: Update the Firmware

Ensure your camera is running the latest software.

1. In the Kasa app, go to Device Settings for your camera.
2. Tap on the firmware version number.
3. The app will check for an update. If one is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

Still Having Trouble?

If you have performed all the above steps and your Kasa camera is still not recording, a factory reset is the final option.

Performing a Factory Reset

A reset will revert the camera to its original settings, and you will need to set it up again in the Kasa app.

• The reset method varies by model. Most Kasa cameras have a small reset button that you need to press and hold with a paperclip for about 15 seconds until the LED light changes.
• Refer to your camera's user manual for the specific instructions.
• After the reset, follow the setup guide in the Kasa app to add your camera back to your account.

If the issue persists after a reset, it is advisable to contact TP-Link Kasa support for further assistance, as there may be a hardware issue with the device.