How to Fix a Reolink Camera That Is Not Recording
A Reolink security camera is a powerful tool for monitoring your property, but its primary value is lost if it fails to record crucial events. Whether you're using a standalone camera with a microSD card or a full system with a Network Video Recorder (NVR), recording failures can be frustrating. The good news is that the cause is usually related to storage or settings.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential troubleshooting steps to diagnose and resolve recording issues with your Reolink cameras.
## Part 1: For Cameras Using a MicroSD Card
If your camera records directly to an internal microSD card, this is the first place to investigate.
### 1. Inspect the MicroSD Card
The physical card is the most common point of failure.
- Check Card Status: Open the Reolink app or desktop client, go to Device Settings > Storage, and check the status of the SD card. Does the camera recognise it? Does it show the correct capacity? If it says "Not Detected" or "Invalid," there's a problem.
- Ensure 'Overwrite' is Enabled: On the same storage screen, make sure the "Overwrite" switch is turned on. If this is disabled, your camera will stop recording the moment the card becomes full. Enabling it turns on loop recording.
- Format the SD Card: Data corruption can prevent new recordings. Use the "Format" function within the app's storage menu to completely erase the card and start fresh. This often resolves recording errors.
- Use a High-Quality Card: Reolink cameras require reliable, high-speed storage to function correctly. Use a high-endurance microSD card (Class 10 / U3) from a trusted manufacturer. A cheap or old card may not have the write speed to keep up with the video stream, leading to failed recordings.
- Test the Card: If problems persist, power down the camera, remove the card, and test it in a computer. If your computer cannot read or write to the card, it has failed and must be replaced.
### 2. Verify Recording Schedules and Settings
Your camera will only record when you tell it to. It's easy to misconfigure these settings.
- Check the Schedule: In Device Settings > Recording > Schedule, you'll find a grid for the week. Ensure that the time blocks are set to "Timer" (for continuous recording) or "Motion" (for motion-activated recording) as desired. An empty or "None" schedule will result in no recordings.
- Review Motion Detection Settings: If using motion-based recording, check your alarm settings.
- Go to Device Settings > Alarm Settings.
- Ensure the motion detection sensitivity is set appropriately for the scene.
- Verify that your motion zones are drawn to cover the areas of interest.
- Make sure the "Record" action is enabled for the type of alarm (e.g., Motion Detection).
## Part 2: For Systems Using a Reolink NVR
If your cameras are connected to an NVR, the troubleshooting focus shifts to the central unit.
- Check Hard Drive Status: Log into your NVR's interface and navigate to the storage or HDD menu. Verify that the hard drive is detected, formatted, and showing as "Normal." If it shows an error or isn't detected, the hard drive may have failed or become disconnected.
- Ensure Overwrite is Enabled: Just like with SD cards, NVRs have an overwrite setting that must be enabled to ensure continuous recording when the drive is full.
- Verify Camera Channel Settings: In the NVR's recording menu, you can set the recording schedule for each individual camera channel. Select the camera that isn't recording and double-check that its schedule is configured correctly.
- Check Network Connection: Ensure the camera has a stable network connection to the NVR. If it's a Wi-Fi camera, check its signal strength. If it's a PoE camera, check the ethernet cable and ensure the port on the NVR is active.
By methodically examining your storage medium and confirming your recording settings, you can pinpoint the reason your Reolink camera is not recording and take the necessary steps to fix it.