Wyze Cam Can't Save Locally? A How-To Fix Guide

How to Fix a Wyze Cam That Can't Save Locally

Using a microSD card to save footage locally is one of the best features of a Wyze Cam, providing a subscription-free way to store your video. It can be a real problem when your camera suddenly stops saving to the SD card. This troubleshooting guide will help you diagnose and solve the most common reasons for this issue.

Why Isn't My Wyze Cam Saving to the SD Card?

When your camera fails to record locally, the problem usually lies with the microSD card itself or the camera's settings within the Wyze app.

Common Causes:

• Local Recording is Disabled: The setting to record to the microSD card may have been turned off in the app.
• SD Card Not Detected: The camera may not recognise the card if it's inserted incorrectly, is incompatible, or has become corrupted.
• Improper Formatting: The SD card needs to be formatted by the Wyze Cam to function correctly.
• Faulty or Fake SD Card: Low-quality or counterfeit microSD cards are prone to failure and may not have the speed required for video recording.
• Firmware Glitch: Occasionally, a temporary bug in the camera's software can interfere with local recording.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Local Recording Issues

Work through these steps to get your Wyze Cam saving footage to the SD card again.

Step 1: Check the Settings in the Wyze App

First, let's make sure the camera is actually told to record.

1. Open the Wyze app and select the camera in question.
2. Tap the Settings icon (gear symbol) in the top right.
3. Go to Advanced Settings.
4. Select Local Storage.
5. Ensure the toggle for Local recording to microSD card is turned ON.
6. While you are here, choose your preferred recording mode: Continuous (records 24/7) or Record on event (only records when motion is detected).

Step 2: Power Cycle and Re-seat the SD Card

A simple physical reset can often solve the problem.

1. Unplug your Wyze Cam from its power source.
2. Carefully eject the microSD card from the camera.
3. Wait for about 30 seconds.
4. Firmly re-insert the microSD card until you feel it click into place.
5. Plug the camera back into the power source and wait for it to restart.

Step 3: Format the MicroSD Card Within the App

Formatting the card is essential for ensuring it works correctly with the camera. Warning: This will erase all existing footage on the card.

1. In the Wyze app, navigate back to the Local Storage menu (Settings > Advanced Settings > Local Storage).
2. If the card is detected, you will see its total capacity and used space.
3. Tap the Format button at the bottom of the screen.
4. Confirm that you want to erase the card's contents.
5. Once the process is complete, the camera should begin recording to the newly formatted card.

Step 4: Verify Your MicroSD Card

If the issue persists, especially if the card is not detected or formatting fails, the card itself may be the problem.

• Use a Reputable Card: Always use a high-endurance microSD card from a trusted brand like SanDisk, Samsung, or Western Digital. These are designed for the constant rewriting that security cameras perform.
• Test the Card on a Computer: Remove the card from the camera and use an adapter to see if a computer can read and write to it. If a computer can't even format it, the card is dead and needs to be replaced.

After following these steps, you can check if the recording is working by going to the camera's live stream and tapping View Playback. If you can see a timeline with recorded footage, the problem is solved.