Wyze Camera Not Providing 24/7 Recording? Let's Fix That
One of the most valuable features of Wyze Cams is their ability to record footage continuously, 24/7, directly to a microSD card. This gives you a complete timeline of events, not just the short motion-activated clips saved to the cloud. If you've found that your camera isn't recording continuously, or the "Playback" feature is missing, you're in the right place.
This guide will walk you through the essential requirements and settings to enable 24/7 recording and help you troubleshoot the common issues that prevent it from working.
The Key Ingredient: A MicroSD Card
Before we go any further, it's critical to understand one thing: 24/7 continuous recording on a Wyze Cam is only possible with a microSD card installed in the camera.
Without an SD card, the camera can only save brief, motion-triggered clips to the cloud. The SD card provides the local storage necessary for the camera to save footage nonstop. If you don't have one installed, this is the reason you don't have 24/7 recording.
How to Check and Enable Continuous Recording
If you have an SD card installed but it's still not working, let's dive into the settings and troubleshooting steps.
Step 1: Verify the MicroSD Card is Recognised
First, you need to check if the camera can even see the SD card.
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Open the Wyze app and select the camera you want to check.
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Tap the Settings icon (the gear) in the top right corner.
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Go to Advanced Settings.
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Look for MicroSD Card Storage. If the app shows the card's total size and used space, then it is being recognised. If it says "No MicroSD Card Detected" or the menu is greyed out, there's a problem with the card itself or how it's inserted.
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If the card is not detected:
- Power off the camera: Unplug the Wyze Cam from its power source.
- Eject and re-insert the card: Carefully push the microSD card in until it clicks to eject it, then re-insert it firmly until it clicks back into place.
- Power the camera back on: Plug the camera back in and check the app again after a minute.
Step 2: Configure the Recording Settings Correctly
Just because a card is installed doesn't mean continuous recording is automatically enabled. You have to turn it on.
- In the Wyze app, navigate back to Settings > Advanced Settings.
- Ensure the toggle next to Record to MicroSD Card is turned ON.
- Underneath this, you will see two options: Events Only and Continuous.
- Tap on Continuous to select it.
Once you select 'Continuous', the camera will immediately begin recording everything 24/7. When the card is full, it will automatically overwrite the oldest footage to continue recording (this is called a loop recording).
Step 3: Format the MicroSD Card
If the camera detects the card but recording is still failing, or if the card was previously used in another device, it may need to be formatted.
- Warning: Formatting will erase everything on the card.
- Go to Settings > Advanced Settings > Manage MicroSD Card.
- Tap the Format button.
- The process will take a few moments. Once complete, the camera should automatically start recording continuously.
Step 4: Troubleshooting a Faulty SD Card
Continuous recording is very intensive and can wear out standard microSD cards over time.
- Use the Right Card: For best results, use a high-quality, High Endurance microSD card from a reputable brand. These cards are specifically designed for the constant writing and rewriting required by security cameras. A standard card may fail quickly.
- Check for Corruption: If you've tried formatting in the app and it fails, the card may be corrupted or physically damaged. Try inserting it into a computer. If the computer can't read or format it either, the card has likely failed and needs to be replaced.
Where is the "Playback" Button?
The Playback button (which lets you view the timeline of recorded footage) will only appear on the live stream screen after a functional microSD card has been installed and has had time to record some footage. If you follow the steps above to get the card working, the Playback button should appear, giving you access to your 24/7 video history.