Is Your Tp Link Camera Failing to Record?
A security camera's primary job is to record what happens. When it fails to do so, it loses its entire purpose, leaving your property unmonitored. Whether you're using a local microSD card or a Tapo/Kasa Care cloud subscription, if your Tp Link camera isn't saving video clips, this guide will help you diagnose and fix the problem.
Recording failures can usually be traced back to one of three areas: storage issues (the SD card or cloud), incorrect settings within the app, or detection problems.
Where to Start: Basic Checks for All Recording Issues
Before you dive deep into settings, let's ensure the fundamentals are in place.
- Check Camera Power and Connectivity: Is the camera powered on and connected to your Wi-Fi? Open the app and check if you can access the live video stream. If the camera is offline, it can't record anything.
- Update Everything: Make sure your Tapo or Kasa app is updated to the latest version from your phone's app store. Additionally, check for and install any available firmware updates for your camera within the app's settings.
Troubleshooting Local Storage (microSD Card) Recording
If you are using a microSD card to store your recordings locally, these are the most common points of failure.
1. Check the microSD Card Itself
Not all SD cards are created equal, and they can fail over time.
- Compatibility: Ensure you are using a high-quality, Class 10 or V10 rated microSD card. These are designed for the high-speed writing required for video recording. Lower quality cards can cause errors and failed recordings.
- Proper Insertion: Remove and re-insert the SD card to ensure it is seated correctly in its slot. You should hear a faint click.
- Format the SD Card: This is the most important step. You must format the SD card within the Tp Link app. Do not format it on a computer. In the app, go to Camera Settings > microSD Card and use the 'Format' option. This erases the card and sets it up with the correct file system for the camera.
- Check if Full: If 'Loop Recording' is turned off, the camera will stop recording when the card is full. Enable Loop Recording (in the microSD card settings) to have the camera automatically overwrite the oldest footage when space is needed.
2. Verify Your Recording Settings
You need to tell the camera when and what to record.
- Enable Motion Detection: For the camera to record when it sees movement, you must have motion detection enabled. Go to Camera Settings > Detection & Alerts and ensure 'Motion Detection' is on.
- Configure the Recording Schedule: In the microSD card settings, there is a 'Recording Schedule'. Check this to make sure you haven't accidentally told the camera not to record at certain times. You can set it for continuous recording (24/7) or only when motion is detected.
Troubleshooting Cloud Storage (Tapo Care / Kasa Care) Recording
If you're subscribed to a cloud service, the troubleshooting steps are different.
- Verify Your Subscription: Log in to your Tp Link account and ensure your Tapo Care or Kasa Care subscription is active and has not expired. Also, confirm that the subscription plan is assigned to the correct camera if you have more than one.
- Check Internet Upload Speed: Cloud recording requires a stable internet connection with sufficient upload speed to send the video files to the cloud. Run an internet speed test to ensure your upload speed is adequate (at least 1-2 Mbps per camera is recommended).
- Review Detection Settings: Just like with SD card recording, the camera relies on its detection settings to know when to start recording. Double-check your motion detection sensitivity, activity zones, and any AI detection features (like person or vehicle detection) to ensure they are configured to capture the events you care about.
By methodically checking your storage medium and the app's settings, you can resolve most recording problems and restore your camera's most important function.