Facing the 'Lorex Storage Full' Error? Here's What to Do.
A 'Storage Full' or 'HDD Full' error on your Lorex security system can be alarming. It means your recorder's hard drive has run out of space, which could prevent it from recording new, important events. But don't worry, this is a common issue with a few simple solutions.
This guide will help you understand why this happens and how to manage your storage effectively, ensuring your property remains protected around the clock.
## Understanding Your Recording Options
Your Lorex system has two primary ways of handling recordings once the hard drive fills up. Understanding the difference is key to managing your storage.
- Stop Recording: If this option is selected, your system will simply cease to record any new video once the HDD is full. This is generally not recommended as you could miss a critical incident.
- Overwrite (or Recycle Record): This is the preferred setting for most users. When the hard drive is full, the system will automatically begin deleting the oldest recorded footage, second by second, to make room for the newest footage. This creates a continuous loop, ensuring you always have the most recent recordings available.
## How to Enable Overwrite and Keep Recording
If your system has stopped recording, you likely need to enable the overwrite feature. The exact menu location can vary slightly by model, but the process is generally the same.
### Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Overwriting:
- Access your Lorex system's main menu using the mouse.
- Log in with your administrator username and password.
- Navigate to the Settings or Setup menu (often represented by a cog icon).
- Look for a section named 'Storage', 'Record', or 'HDD'.
- Within this section, find an option for 'Record Mode' or 'Basic Settings'.
- Locate the setting labelled 'Overwrite', 'Recycle Record', or similar.
- Select 'Auto' or 'Enable' from the dropdown menu or checkbox.
- Save and Apply your changes.
Your system will now record continuously, replacing the oldest data with the new, and you should no longer see the 'Storage Full' error.
## Other Ways to Manage Your Storage Space
Enabling overwrite is the best solution for most, but there are other strategies to maximise your recording time.
### 1. Adjusting Recording Resolution and Frame Rate
Higher resolution (like 4K) and higher frames-per-second (FPS) create larger video files, filling your drive faster.
- Consider lowering the resolution or FPS on cameras in less critical areas (e.g., from 4K to 1080p, or 30 FPS to 15 FPS). This can dramatically increase your storage duration without a significant loss in practical quality.
### 2. Recording Only on Motion
Instead of recording 24/7, you can set your cameras to record only when they detect motion.
- In the 'Recording Schedule' menu, you can configure each camera to record based on motion detection ('MD'). This saves a massive amount of disk space, as the system isn't recording hours of empty hallways or quiet gardens.
### 3. Manually Deleting or Backing Up Footage
If you need to save specific incidents before they are overwritten, you should back them up to a USB flash drive.
- Use the 'Playback' and 'Backup' functions in your system menu to find the clips you need and export them to external storage.
- You can also manually delete large, unimportant chunks of video from the Playback menu to free up space immediately.
### 4. Upgrading the Hard Drive
If you find that even with optimised settings, you're only getting a few days of recording, it might be time for an upgrade.
- Most Lorex DVRs and NVRs use standard 3.5-inch SATA hard drives. You can purchase a larger capacity surveillance-grade drive (specifically designed for 24/7 recording) and install it yourself. Always check your model's specifications for the maximum supported HDD size.
By taking control of your storage settings, you can ensure your Lorex system is always ready to capture the moments that matter.