Sony Camera Not Saving to Local SD Card? Here's the Solution
Relying on local storage via a microSD card is a key feature for many Sony security cameras, providing a backup of your footage without mandatory cloud fees. If you've installed an SD card but find that no videos are being saved, it can compromise your security setup. This issue usually points to a problem with the card itself or a misconfiguration in the camera's settings.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the troubleshooting process, from verifying your hardware to configuring the software, to ensure your Sony camera records reliably to its local storage.
Common Reasons for Local Recording Failure
When a camera fails to save footage to an SD card, the cause is almost always one of the following:
- SD Card Incompatibility: The card may be too slow, too large, or from a brand that is not fully compatible with the camera.
- Improper Formatting: The SD card needs to be formatted in a specific way for the camera to use it. Simply inserting a card from another device often won't work.
- Corrupted or Faulty Card: SD cards have a limited lifespan and can become corrupted, preventing the camera from writing new data to them.
- Incorrect Recording Settings: The settings within the camera's app may be configured to not record, or the recording schedule might be inactive.
- Physical Connection Issue: The card may not be seated correctly in the camera's slot.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Sony's Local Recording
Let's work through these potential issues one by one to find the solution.
1. Ensure You Have a Compatible SD Card
The foundation of reliable local recording is using the right type of card.
- Check the Speed Class: Your camera requires a microSD card with at least a Class 10 or UHS-1 (U1) speed rating. Look for a "C" with a "10" inside it, or a "U" with a "1" inside it on the card's label.
- Use a High-Endurance Card: It is highly recommended to use a "High Endurance" or "Video Monitoring" microSD card. These are specifically designed by brands like SanDisk or Samsung to handle the constant read/write cycles of a security camera.
- Verify Capacity: Check your camera's user manual for the maximum supported SD card capacity (e.g., 64GB, 128GB, 256GB). Using a card larger than the maximum supported size will not work.
2. Format the SD Card Inside the Camera
This is the most critical step. You must format the SD card using the camera's software, not your computer.
- Power on your Sony camera and ensure the SD card is inserted.
- Open the companion app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Select the camera you want to configure and go to its 'Settings'.
- Find the menu for 'Storage Management' or 'SD Card Settings'.
- Select the 'Format' option. You will be warned that this will erase all data on the card.
- Proceed with the format. This will prepare the card with the correct file system and structure for your specific camera model.
3. Check and Configure Recording Settings
After formatting the card, you need to tell the camera when and how to record.
- In the camera's settings menu, find the 'Recording Settings' or 'Recording Schedule'.
- You will likely see options for 'Continuous Recording' (24/7) and 'Event Recording' (only when motion is detected).
- Ensure that at least one of these modes is enabled.
- If you use a schedule, make sure it is configured for the times you expect the camera to be recording.
- Also, check that the 'Loop Recording' or 'Overwrite' feature is turned on to prevent the camera from stopping when the card is full.
4. Reboot and Reseat
If it's still not working, a physical reset can often resolve connection issues.
- Power off your Sony camera and unplug it from the power source.
- Carefully eject the microSD card from its slot.
- Inspect the gold contacts on the card for any dust or debris.
- Wait for about 60 seconds.
- Firmly re-insert the SD card back into the camera until it clicks into place.
- Plug the camera back in and allow it to fully restart.
- Check the app to see if the card is now recognised and if it has started recording new events.
If you have tried a brand new, compatible card and followed all of the above steps without success, there may be a hardware issue with the camera's SD card slot. In this situation, it is best to reach out to Sony customer support for further assistance.