Xiaomi Camera Not Recognising Your SD Card? Let's Fix It.
One of the great features of many Xiaomi cameras is the option for local storage via a microSD card. This allows you to record video footage directly to the camera, independent of cloud services, giving you more control over your data. However, it's a common point of frustration when the camera refuses to recognise the SD card or fails to record video to it.
This troubleshooting guide will help you diagnose and solve the most common issues related to local storage on your Xiaomi camera, from the card not being detected to recording failures.
Common Reasons for Local Storage Issues
When your camera's local storage isn't working, it's almost always down to one of these four things:
- Incompatible SD Card: The card might be too slow, too large in capacity, or a fake/counterfeit card that doesn't perform as advertised.
- Improper Formatting: The SD card needs to be formatted in a specific way for the camera to use it.
- Physical Damage or Incorrect Insertion: The card itself could be damaged, or it might not be seated correctly in the camera's slot.
- Incorrect Camera Settings: The camera might not be configured to record to the SD card, even if it's detected.
Troubleshooting Your Xiaomi Camera's SD Card
Work through these steps to get your local storage up and running.
1. Check SD Card Compatibility
Not all microSD cards are created equal. For the continuous writing and rewriting required by a security camera, you need a specific type.
- Use a Reputable Brand: Always buy cards from well-known manufacturers like SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston, or Lexar. Avoid unbranded, cheap cards, as they often have high failure rates.
- Check the Class: You need a card that is at least Class 10 or has a U1 or U3 speed rating. Look for these symbols on the card itself.
- Consider "High Endurance" Cards: These cards are specifically designed for the constant recording cycles of dash cams and security cameras and will last much longer.
- Verify Capacity: Check your camera's specifications for the maximum supported SD card capacity (e.g., 32GB, 64GB, 128GB). Using a card larger than the maximum supported size will not work.
2. Properly Insert and Format the SD Card
This is the most critical step. The card must be formatted by the camera itself.
- Power Off the Camera: Before inserting or removing the SD card, always unplug the camera from its power source to prevent data corruption.
- Insert the Card: Carefully insert the microSD card into the slot until you feel it click into place. The contacts on the card should be facing the correct direction (check your camera's manual for a diagram).
- Power On the Camera: Plug the camera back in and wait for it to fully boot up.
- Format in the App:
- Open the Xiaomi Home app and go to your camera's live view.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to open Settings.
- Find the "Storage settings" or "Manage storage" menu.
- You should see the SD card listed, possibly with an "Unformatted" status.
- Select the "Format SD card" or "Initialise" option. The app will warn you that this will erase all data on the card. Proceed with the formatting.
This process will prepare the card with the correct file system and structure that the camera's operating system requires.
3. Reboot the Camera
After formatting, a simple reboot can help ensure the camera correctly mounts the newly prepared storage. Unplug the camera, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
4. Test the SD Card in Another Device
If the camera still doesn't recognise the card after formatting, the card itself may be faulty.
- Remove the card from the camera.
- Use a microSD card adapter to plug it into a computer.
- If the computer also fails to recognise the card or reports errors, the card is likely dead and needs to be replaced.
Enabling Recording to Local Storage
Once the card is successfully formatted and detected, make sure you've told the camera to use it.
- Go back to the camera's Settings and then Storage settings.
- Ensure that an option like "Record video" or "Motion detection recording" is turned on.
- Choose whether you want the camera to record 24/7 or only when motion is detected.
- Check for a "Loop recording" or "Overwrite" option and make sure it is enabled. This will ensure the camera automatically deletes the oldest footage to make room for new recordings when the card is full.