Uniview No Local Storage? How to Fix HDD & SD Card Issues

How to Fix 'No Local Storage' Errors on Uniview Devices

A 'No Local Storage', 'No HDD', or similar error on your Uniview NVR or IP camera means the device cannot detect or use the installed storage medium (a hard disk drive or a microSD card). Without storage, your system cannot record video, defeating its main purpose. This guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve this common issue.

This problem can usually be traced back to one of four areas: physical installation, formatting, device configuration, or a faulty/incompatible storage medium.

## Step 1: Physically Check the Storage Device

First, ensure the hard drive (HDD) or microSD card is installed correctly.

• For NVRs (HDD):

  1. Power down the NVR completely.
  2. Open the NVR's chassis.
  3. Check that both the SATA data cable and the SATA power cable are securely plugged into the hard drive and the NVR's motherboard. A loose cable is a very common cause of this issue.
  4. Ensure the drive is seated properly in its bay.

• For Cameras (microSD Card):

  1. Power down the camera.
  2. Open the SD card slot cover.
  3. Remove and re-insert the microSD card, ensuring it clicks into place. Make sure it is oriented correctly.

## Step 2: Initialise (Format) the Storage

This is the most critical step. A new HDD or SD card must be formatted by the Uniview device before it can be used for recording. This process erases all data on the disk and prepares it with the correct file system.

• Formatting an NVR Hard Drive:

  1. Power the NVR back on and log into its main interface (using a connected monitor and mouse).
  2. Navigate to the Storage menu, and then find the Disk Management or Disk sub-menu.
  3. You should see your hard drive listed. Select it.
  4. Click the 'Init' or 'Format' button.
  5. The NVR will format the drive. Once complete, the status should change to 'Normal' or 'R/W' (Read/Write).

• Formatting a Camera SD Card:

  1. Log into the camera's web interface using a browser.
  2. Go to Setup > Storage > Destination.
  3. Select the 'SD Card' tab.
  4. You should see the card's capacity. Click the 'Format' button.
  5. After formatting, the status should show as 'Normal'.

## Step 3: Check Recording Schedule

Once the storage is formatted and showing a 'Normal' status, you need to ensure the camera or NVR is configured to record to it.

1. Navigate to the Storage > Schedule menu.
2. Ensure that recording (e.g., 'Continuous' or 'Motion Detection') is enabled for the desired times and days. The grid should be coloured in for the times you wish to record.
3. Save the schedule settings.

## Step 4: Consider Storage Compatibility and Health

If the device still won't recognise the storage after these steps, you may have a faulty or incompatible drive.

• Use Surveillance-Grade Storage: For NVRs, it is highly recommended to use surveillance-grade HDDs (like WD Purple or Seagate SkyHawk). These are designed for the 24/7 writing operations of a security system. Standard desktop HDDs can fail quickly.
• Use High-Endurance SD Cards: For cameras, use a 'High Endurance' or 'Video Monitoring' microSD card. These are designed to withstand constant rewriting.
• Test the Storage: If possible, test the HDD or SD card in a computer to see if it is recognised. If the computer cannot see it, the storage medium itself has likely failed.

By following these steps, you can effectively diagnose and fix the 'No Local Storage' error on your Uniview system.