Wyze Cam Not Recording? A Complete Troubleshooting Guide
A Wyze Cam that doesn't record events or save video to its SD card can leave a major gap in your home security. The problem can be confusing because Wyze offers two distinct recording methods: cloud-based Event Recording and camera-based Local Storage via a microSD card.
This guide will help you understand the difference and systematically troubleshoot why one or both methods might not be working for you.
Event Recording (Cloud) vs. Local Storage (SD Card)
It is critical to understand which type of recording is failing.
- Event Recording (Events Tab): These are short video clips triggered by motion or sound that are uploaded to the Wyze cloud. You view them in the Events tab of the app.
- Without a Cam Plus subscription, these are limited to 12-second clips with a 5-minute cooldown period in between.
- With a Cam Plus subscription, you get full-length video clips with no cooldown.
- Local Storage (Playback Button): This uses a microSD card that you put in the camera. It can record continuously (24/7) or only when motion is detected. You view this footage by pressing the Playback button from the camera's live stream.
You can use either method, or both at the same time for complete coverage. Now, let's figure out why yours isn't working.
Part 1: Troubleshooting Event Recording (Events Tab)
If you're not getting clips in your Events tab, follow these steps.
1. Check Your Wyze Service Subscriptions
- Open the Wyze app and tap on the Account tab.
- Go to Services.
- Check your subscriptions (e.g., Cam Plus). Ensure that your subscription is active and, crucially, that it has been assigned to the correct camera. It's easy to have an active subscription but forget to link it to the camera you're troubleshooting.
2. Verify Your Event Recording Settings
- Go to your camera's live stream and tap the Settings icon (gear).
- Tap on Event Recording.
- Enable Motion/Sound Detection: Make sure "Detects Motion" and/or "Detects Sound" are toggled on.
- Smart Detections (Cam Plus): If you have Cam Plus, ensure that the specific AI detection types you want (e.g., Person, Package, Vehicle) are enabled.
3. Check the Detection Zone and Sensitivity
- In the camera's Settings, go to Detection Settings.
- Sensitivity: If the sensitivity slider is too low, the camera may not be picking up motion. Try increasing it.
- Detection Zone: If you have a detection zone enabled, make sure it covers the area where motion is occurring. Any movement outside the defined zone will be ignored.
Part 2: Troubleshooting Local Storage (MicroSD Card Recording)
If the "Playback" button doesn't show any recorded video, focus on these steps.
1. Check the MicroSD Card Itself
- Is it inserted correctly? Power down the camera and carefully eject and re-insert the microSD card, ensuring it clicks into place.
- Is it a compatible card? Wyze Cams work best with Class 10 microSD cards from reputable brands, formatted in FAT32. Cards larger than 32GB may need special formatting on a computer.
2. Manage the MicroSD Card in the Wyze App
- Go to your camera's Settings > Advanced Settings.
- Tap on Manage MicroSD Card.
- Check the Status: The app should show the card's total and used storage. If it shows "Not Available" or 0GB, the card is not being read correctly.
- Format the Card: If the card is detected but not working, use the Format option within the Wyze app. This will erase the card and set it up correctly for the camera. This is a crucial step that solves many SD card issues.
3. Enable Local Recording
- In Advanced Settings, make sure Local recording to MicroSD card is toggled on.
- Choose Recording Mode: Select either Continuous (for 24/7 recording) or Events Only (to only record when motion is detected, saving space).
By determining whether your issue is with cloud events or local SD card storage and following the correct set of steps, you can resolve your Wyze Cam's recording problems and ensure it's capturing everything you need.