Mobotix Camera Not Recording Continuously? Solutions Here

How to Fix Mobotix No Continuous Recording Issues

A Mobotix camera system is a powerful tool for security, but its effectiveness is compromised if it fails to record continuously. Gaps in your video timeline can mean missing a critical event. If you've discovered your Mobotix camera isn't recording 24/7 as intended, this guide will help you diagnose and resolve the problem.

We will explore the common configuration errors, storage problems, and network issues that can interrupt continuous recording. By following these steps, you can restore your system's reliability and ensure you have a complete, uninterrupted video record.

Understanding Mobotix Recording Logic

Mobotix cameras are highly configurable, which is both a strength and a source of potential confusion. Recording can be controlled by various factors:

• Recording Modes: You can set the camera to record continuously, only on specific events (like motion detection), or on a custom schedule.
• Storage Targets: Recordings can be saved to an internal SD card, a NAS (Network Attached Storage), or a dedicated server running Mobotix software.
• Event Logic: Advanced rules can be set up to start or stop recording based on specific triggers, which can sometimes override a continuous recording setting.
• Network Stability: A reliable network connection between the camera and the storage target is essential for an unbroken video stream.

Step-by-Step Guide to Troubleshooting Continuous Recording

Let's systematically work through the potential points of failure to identify and fix the issue.

1. Verify Your Recording Settings in the Admin Menu

The most common culprit is a simple misconfiguration. You need to access the camera's web interface to check these settings.

• Log In: Access your camera's IP address in a web browser and log in as an administrator.
• Navigate to Recording: Go to Admin Menu → Recording → Recording Settings.
• Check the Recording Mode: Ensure that Continuous Recording is the selected mode. Often, users find it has been inadvertently switched to Event Recording or Off.
• Review the Schedule: Check the recording schedule to ensure it is set for all hours and all days of the week. Any gaps in the schedule will result in no recording during those times.

2. Inspect Your Storage Target

If the settings are correct, the next place to look is your storage.

• Check Storage Capacity: In the camera's web interface, navigate to the storage section (e.g., Admin Menu → Storage on External File Server/Flash Device). Verify that the storage device is not full.
• Enable Overwriting: It is crucial to have the option to overwrite old recordings enabled. If this is turned off, recording will stop as soon as the storage medium is full.
• Test Storage Accessibility: The camera must be able to communicate with the storage target. For a NAS, ensure the network path, username, and password are correct. You can often run a connection test from within the camera's storage menu.

3. Analyse Network Connectivity

An unstable network can cause the camera to periodically lose connection with the storage device, resulting in fragmented recordings.

• Physical Connections: Check that all Ethernet cables are securely plugged in at the camera, the network switch, and the NAS or server.
• Network Traffic: High network congestion can sometimes lead to packet loss. If possible, consider placing your cameras and storage devices on a separate VLAN or a dedicated network switch to isolate them from other network traffic.
• Ping Test: Run a continuous ping test from a computer on the same network to the camera's IP address and the NAS IP address to check for any dropped packets or high latency, which would indicate a network problem.

4. Review Event Logic and Action Groups

Mobotix's powerful event logic can sometimes be a source of conflict. An action group might be configured to stop recording under certain conditions.

• Navigate to Setup Menu → Event Control → Action Group Overview.
• Review the configured action groups. Look for any actions that are set to "Stop Recording" or change the recording mode.
• Disable any suspect action groups temporarily to see if continuous recording resumes. If it does, you have found the source of the conflict and can adjust the logic accordingly.

5. Update Camera Firmware

Software bugs can occasionally cause recording issues.

• Check the current firmware version of your camera in the system information menu.
• Visit the official Mobotix support website and check for the latest stable firmware release for your specific camera model.
• If your firmware is outdated, follow the manufacturer's instructions to perform an update. This can often resolve unexpected behaviour.

Final Checks

If you have gone through all the steps above and are still facing issues, the problem might be with the storage medium itself (a failing SD card or NAS hard drive) or a more complex hardware issue with the camera. At this point, it is advisable to contact Mobotix technical support for advanced diagnostics.