Is Your Reolink Camera Not Recording 24/7?
One of the key features of many Reolink cameras is the ability to record footage continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This ensures that you have a complete record of events, with no gaps. However, if you're checking your playback timeline and seeing only motion-triggered clips or large empty spaces, it can be a major concern.
This guide will help you troubleshoot the common reasons why your Reolink camera isn't recording 24/7 and show you how to configure it correctly.
First, Check Your Camera Model
It is crucial to understand that not all Reolink cameras are designed for 24/7 recording.
- Cameras that SUPPORT 24/7 Recording: These are mains-powered cameras. This includes all Reolink PoE (Power over Ethernet) IP cameras and plug-in Wi-Fi cameras. They have a constant power source, allowing them to run continuously.
- Cameras that DO NOT SUPPORT 24/7 Recording: These are the battery-powered models, such as the Reolink Argus series. To conserve battery life, these cameras operate in a low-power standby mode and only wake up to record when their PIR sensor detects motion. They cannot record continuously.
If you have a battery-powered model, it is functioning as designed. The rest of this guide applies to powered cameras.
Common Reasons for Recording Failures
For powered cameras, a failure to record 24/7 is almost always due to a settings issue or a problem with your storage medium (SD card or NVR hard drive).
- Incorrect Recording Schedule: The camera is set to record only during motion events instead of on a timer.
- Storage is Full: The SD card or NVR hard drive is full, and the "Overwrite" function is disabled.
- Faulty Storage: The Micro SD card or hard drive is corrupted, incompatible, or has failed.
- Incorrect Camera Settings: The record function may be disabled entirely.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enable 24/7 Recording
Follow these steps in the Reolink App or Client to ensure your settings are correct.
1. Set the Correct Recording Schedule
This is the most common solution. You need to tell the camera to record on a timer, not just on motion.
- Launch the Reolink app and go to your camera's live view.
- Tap the Settings icon (gear symbol) in the top right.
- Go to Recording > Schedule.
- At the top, you will see different recording types. Select Timer.
- You will see a grid representing the hours of the week. Tap the Timer option again, and then "paint" the entire grid blue. A completely blue grid tells the camera to record continuously for every hour of every day.
- Ensure the "Motion" schedule grid is either disabled or also painted, as you can record both simultaneously.
- Tap the Save icon to apply the changes.
2. Check Your Storage Medium
If the schedule is correct, the issue may be with your storage.
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For SD Card Users:
- Go to Settings > Storage.
- Check the status of the SD card. If it shows an error, it may be faulty.
- Ensure the "Overwrite" toggle is enabled. This allows the camera to automatically delete the oldest footage to make space for new recordings. If this is off, recording will stop when the card is full.
- Use the "Format" option in the app to erase the card and fix potential file system errors.
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For NVR/DVR Users:
- Access your NVR's settings.
- Navigate to the storage or HDD management section.
- Verify the hard drive status is "Normal."
- Ensure the "Overwrite" feature is enabled for the drive.
3. Use a High-Quality SD Card
Standard SD cards can fail quickly when subjected to the constant writing of 24/7 recording.
- Recommendation: Use a High Endurance Micro SD card. These are specifically designed for security cameras and dashcams and are much more reliable for continuous use. Ensure you are using a reputable brand.
By ensuring your camera model supports 24/7 recording and correctly configuring the schedule and storage settings, you can achieve a reliable, continuous video record.