Sony Camera Not Saving to Local Storage? Here's a Fix

Is Your Sony Camera Refusing to Save Footage Locally?

Many Sony security cameras offer the fantastic feature of local storage, allowing you to save video clips directly to a microSD card. This provides a private, subscription-free way to keep your recordings. However, it can be incredibly frustrating when you find that your camera isn't saving footage, especially after an incident you needed to capture.

This guide will walk you through the most common reasons why your Sony camera might not be using its local storage and provide you with a clear, step-by-step process to resolve the issue.

Identifying the Symptoms of a Local Storage Failure

The problem might not be immediately obvious. Here are some signs that your camera's local storage isn't working as it should:

• You receive a "No SD Card" or "SD Card Error" message in the app.
• The camera's timeline shows no recorded events, even after motion has occurred.
• The app indicates that the SD card needs to be formatted, even if you've done it before.
• Video clips appear in the app but fail to play back, showing an error.
• The camera stops recording after a certain period, suggesting the card is full and not overwriting.
• You can see a live view, but no new recordings are being saved.
• The camera works perfectly otherwise but simply fails to acknowledge the inserted SD card.

How to Troubleshoot "No Local Storage" Issues

Let's systematically diagnose and fix the problem. Follow these steps in order.

1. Check SD Card Compatibility

This is the most frequent point of failure. Not all SD cards are created equal.

• Card Type and 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.
• Card Speed Class: For recording video, you need a card with a fast enough 'write speed'. Look for cards marked with Class 10, U1, or U3. A slow card cannot keep up with the video data, leading to recording errors.
• Use Reputable Brands: Always purchase SD cards from well-known, reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston, or Lexar. Cheap, unbranded cards are unreliable and are a very common cause of recording failures.

2. Format the SD Card in the Camera

This is a critical step. An SD card must be formatted with the correct file system for the camera to use it.

• Why it's Important: Formatting on a PC or Mac might use a file system that the camera cannot read or write to. Formatting the card inside the camera ensures it's perfectly prepared for that specific device.
• How to Do It:
  1. Ensure the camera is powered on and the SD card is inserted correctly.
  2. Open the Sony camera's mobile app or web interface.
  3. Navigate to 'Settings' and then look for a 'Storage' or 'SD Card Management' menu.
  4. Select the option to 'Format' or 'Reformat' the SD card.
  5. Wait for the process to complete. This may take a few minutes.

3. Check Recording Settings

It's possible that the camera is configured not to record locally.

• Enable Local Recording: Dive into the camera's settings and look for 'Recording Schedule' or 'Storage Mode'. Ensure that it is set to record to the SD card based on motion or continuously, according to your preference.
• Enable Loop Recording: Check for a setting called 'Loop Recording', 'Overwrite', or 'Recycle'. If this is turned off, the camera will stop recording once the SD card is full. Turning it on will ensure the camera automatically deletes the oldest footage to make space for new recordings.

4. Physically Inspect and Reseat the Card

A poor physical connection can cause issues.

1. Power Off: Safely power down your camera.
2. Eject and Inspect: Carefully eject the microSD card. Inspect the gold contacts for any dirt or damage.
3. Re-insert: Firmly re-insert the card until you hear or feel a click, ensuring it is seated correctly in the slot.
4. Power On: Power the camera back on and see if the card is now recognised.

5. Test the SD Card

If all else fails, the SD card itself may be faulty.

• Test on a Computer: Use an SD card reader to connect the card to your computer. Try to copy a large file to it. If you get errors or the process is extremely slow, the card is likely damaged and needs to be replaced.

By following these steps, you can resolve almost any issue related to local storage on your Sony camera and ensure your important moments are always recorded.