Mobotix Camera Not Recording? A UK Troubleshooting Guide
Mobotix cameras are powerful, decentralised security systems, but when they fail to record, it undermines their primary function. This guide will walk you through the common configuration and hardware issues that can prevent a Mobotix camera from recording, helping you to systematically identify and resolve the problem. This guide assumes you have administrative access to the camera's web interface.
## Step 1: Verify Storage Status and Configuration
The first and most crucial step is to check the health and configuration of your storage target. Mobotix cameras can record to an internal microSD card or an external file server (NAS).
- Log in to your Mobotix camera's web interface.
- Navigate to the Admin Menu.
- Go to "Storage on External File Server / Flash Device".
Here, you will see the status of your configured storage.
- Check Storage Capacity: Look at the usage graph. Is the storage medium full? By default, Mobotix cameras will stop recording when the disk is full unless a "ring buffer" (which overwrites the oldest footage) is configured.
- Check for Errors: The status section will report any errors. Messages like "Unmounted," "Connection Failed," or "Read-Only" point to a problem with the storage device itself or the network path to it.
- For SD Cards: If using a microSD card, ensure it is a high-endurance card designed for constant video recording. Standard SD cards can fail quickly. If errors are reported, the card may be corrupted or have reached the end of its life.
- For NAS/File Servers: If recording to a NAS, verify the NAS is online and accessible from the camera's network. Double-check the server address, username, password, and path details in the camera's configuration to ensure they are still correct.
## Step 2: Confirm Recording is Enabled
Sometimes, the recording function can be inadvertently disabled globally.
- In the Admin Menu, navigate to "Recording".
- At the top of the page, check the "Recording (REC)" setting. It should be set to "On" or a specific schedule. If it is set to "Off (OFF)", the camera will not record under any circumstances.
- Review the Recording Schedule: Check the weekly schedule grid. If you have a schedule configured, ensure the time blocks are correctly set to "REC" (Record) for the times you expect footage. Any blue "OFF" blocks will disable recording during those periods.
## Step 3: Investigate Event Settings and Triggers
If manual recording works but event-based recording (e.g., motion detection) does not, the problem lies with your event configuration.
- Navigate to the Setup Menu.
- Go to "Event Settings". This section is the logic centre for the camera.
- Check Event Overview: This page shows you which events are currently active. Ensure the event you want to trigger recording (e.g., Video Motion 'VM') is enabled.
- Configure the Event Trigger:
- Go into the specific event settings (e.g., "Video Motion Detection").
- Make sure you have defined one or more motion detection windows. Without a defined window, the camera doesn't know where to look for motion.
- Adjust the sensitivity and size parameters as needed. If they are too low, motion may not be detected.
- Link the Event to Recording: This is a critical step.
- Go to Setup Menu > Recording.
- Under "Recording Settings", find the "Start Recording" trigger.
- Ensure that the event you configured (e.g., 'VM') is selected as a trigger for starting a recording. If no event is selected, the camera has no instruction to start recording when motion occurs.
By systematically checking the storage health, global recording status, and the specific event logic, you can pinpoint why your Mobotix camera has stopped recording and restore its functionality.