Tapo Camera Not Detecting Local Storage? A Step-by-Step Fix
Using a microSD card for local storage in your Tapo camera is a fantastic way to record footage without needing a cloud subscription. However, it's a common frustration when the Tapo app reports "No SD card detected" or fails to record locally. This issue prevents you from saving and reviewing your video clips.
Fortunately, this problem is often easy to resolve. This guide will take you through the most common causes and the steps to get your local storage working correctly.
Common Symptoms of a Local Storage Problem
If your Tapo camera is having trouble with its microSD card, you will likely encounter one of these issues:
- The app clearly displays an error message like "No SD card detected" or "SD card error".
- You are unable to format the microSD card through the Tapo app; the option might be greyed out or fail when you try.
- The "Local Recordings" or playback section of the app is empty, even after motion has occurred.
- The option to enable "Continuous Recording" is disabled or missing.
- You see a red error icon next to the storage status in the camera's settings.
- The camera simply does not record any video clips to the microSD card.
How to Troubleshoot Your Tapo's Local Storage
Follow these instructions in order to diagnose and solve the problem.
1. Power Cycle and Re-insert the SD Card
The first and simplest step is to perform a full reset of the camera and the card's connection.
- Unplug your Tapo camera from the power source.
- Carefully eject the microSD card. Check to ensure it doesn't look physically damaged.
- Wait for about 30 seconds.
- Re-insert the microSD card firmly into the slot until you feel it click into place.
- Plug the camera back in and allow it to fully reboot.
- Check the app to see if the card is now detected.
2. Check for SD Card Compatibility
Using the wrong type of microSD card is a very common cause of this issue.
- Card Type: You must use a Class 10 or UHS-1 (U1) rated microSD card. These are designed for the high-speed writing required for HD video recording. Using an older, slower card will not work.
- Capacity: Check the maximum supported SD card capacity for your specific Tapo model (e.g., Tapo C200 supports up to 128GB). Using a card that is too large will result in it not being detected.
- Brand and Authenticity: Always use microSD cards from reputable brands such as SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston, or Western Digital. The market is flooded with counterfeit cards that have a high failure rate.
3. Format the SD Card Using the Tapo App
If the card is detected but not working correctly, it may need to be formatted with the camera's file system. Warning: This process will erase all data currently on the card.
- Open the Tapo app and select the camera.
- Go to Camera Settings (the gear icon).
- Tap on "microSD Card".
- If the card is recognised, you will see an option to "Format".
- Tap "Format" and confirm the action. The camera will then prepare the card for use.
4. Test the SD Card in Another Device
If the above steps don't work, you need to determine if the fault lies with the camera or the SD card itself.
- Remove the microSD card from your Tapo camera.
- Insert it into a computer or another compatible device using an SD card reader.
- If the computer also fails to detect the card or reports that it is corrupted, then the SD card is faulty and must be replaced.
- If the card works fine in the computer, the issue may lie with the camera's hardware. At this point, you should contact TP-Link support for further assistance.