Can't Save Somfy Camera Footage Locally? Let's Fix It.
Using a local SD card to store your Somfy camera's recordings is a great way to keep your footage private and avoid ongoing cloud subscription fees. However, it can be incredibly frustrating when your camera refuses to save recordings locally, leaving you with no record of important events. This problem can be caused by several factors, from the SD card itself to the camera's settings.
This troubleshooting guide is designed to walk you through the most common reasons why your Somfy camera might not be saving to its SD card and provide you with clear, easy-to-follow solutions.
## Common Symptoms of Local Storage Failure
To get started, let's identify the specific issue you're facing. This will help you quickly find the relevant solution in the guide below.
- SD Card Not Recognised: The Somfy Protect app shows 'No SD Card' even when one is inserted.
- Recording Stops: The camera was recording fine but has suddenly stopped saving new clips.
- Inaccessible Footage: You can see that the card has data on it, but the clips won't play back in the app.
- 'Save Locally' Option Disabled: The setting to enable local recording is greyed out or cannot be turned on.
- Corrupted Video Files: The few clips that are saved are unplayable or show as corrupted.
- Storage Full Errors: The app reports that the SD card is full, even though you expect it to overwrite old footage.
- Formatting Fails: You receive an error message when you try to format the SD card via the app.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Work through these steps methodically to diagnose and resolve the local storage problem with your Somfy camera.
### 1. Check SD Card Compatibility and Health
The SD card is the most common point of failure. Not all cards are created equal, and cameras can be sensitive to the type and condition of the card used.
- Use a Recommended Card: Somfy recommends using a high-quality, Class 10 (or higher) microSD card from a well-known brand like SanDisk or Samsung. Avoid unbranded or generic cards, as they often fail.
- Check the Capacity: Ensure the card's capacity is within the supported range for your camera model (typically up to 128GB).
- Test the Card: If you suspect the card is faulty, test it in another device, like a computer or another camera. If it doesn't work there, the card has likely failed and needs to be replaced.
### 2. Format the SD Card Correctly
Even a brand new SD card needs to be formatted by the camera itself to ensure it has the correct file system and structure.
- Format via the Somfy App: This is the most important step. Do not format the card on a PC or Mac. Insert the card into the camera, open the Somfy Protect app, go to your camera's settings, find the storage management section, and use the 'Format SD Card' option.
- Erasing Data: Be aware that formatting will permanently erase all existing footage on the card.
### 3. Verify Camera Settings in the Somfy Protect App
Sometimes, a simple setting can prevent the camera from recording as expected.
- Enable Loop Recording: Ensure that the option for 'Loop Recording' or 'Overwrite old footage' is enabled. If this is turned off, the camera will stop recording as soon as the card is full.
- Check Recording Schedule: If you have a recording schedule set up, make sure it is configured correctly and isn't preventing the camera from recording at certain times.
### 4. Power Cycle and Update Everything
A classic "turn it off and on again" can often resolve temporary glitches.
- Restart the Camera: Unplug your Somfy camera from its power source, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. This reboot can often resolve issues with hardware recognition.
- Update Firmware and App: Check for any available firmware updates for your camera in the Somfy Protect app. Also, ensure you have the latest version of the app installed on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play. Updates often contain important bug fixes.
By following these steps, you can solve the vast majority of local storage issues with Somfy cameras. A compatible, correctly formatted SD card combined with the right app settings is the key to reliable local recording.