How to Fix Yale's "No Local Storage" or "SD Card Not Detected" Error
One of the key features of Yale smart cameras is the ability to record footage locally to a microSD card. If you've inserted a card but your Yale app is reporting "No Local Storage" or "No SD Card," it means the camera is unable to recognise or communicate with the card. This guide will help you solve this common problem.
Step 1: Physical Checks and Re-insertion
Before diving into software troubleshooting, let's ensure the hardware is set up correctly.
- Power Off the Camera: This is a crucial first step. Unplug your Yale camera from its power source to prevent any risk of data corruption or electrical shorts.
- Eject and Inspect the SD Card: Carefully eject the microSD card from its slot. You may need to gently push it in further until it clicks and pops out. Inspect the card's gold contacts for any dirt or grime. If they look dirty, you can gently wipe them with a dry, soft cloth.
- Re-insert the Card Correctly: Pay close attention to the orientation diagram usually printed next to the SD card slot on the camera. Insert the card in the correct direction and push it in firmly but gently until you feel or hear a distinct click. A card that isn't fully seated is a primary cause of detection errors.
- Power On the Camera: Plug the camera back into its power source and wait for it to fully boot up. Check the app again to see if the local storage is now detected.
Step 2: SD Card Compatibility
If the card is still not detected, the next step is to ensure it's the right type of card for your camera. Not all microSD cards will work.
- Use a Reputable Brand: Always choose high-quality microSD cards from well-known manufacturers like SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston, or Lexar. Unbranded, cheap cards are notoriously unreliable.
- Check the Speed Class: Your camera requires a card that can handle video recording. Look for a Class 10 (a 'C' with a '10' in it) or UHS Speed Class 1 or 3 (a 'U' with a '1' or '3' in it) rating.
- Verify Capacity: Check the technical specifications for your Yale camera model to find the maximum supported SD card capacity. If your camera supports a maximum of 128GB, a 256GB card may not be recognised.
Step 3: Formatting the MicroSD Card
If the camera can't read the card's file system, it will report that there is no storage. Formatting prepares the card for use with the camera.
- Best Method - In-App Formatting: If the card is detected but not working, the best way to format it is through the Yale app itself. Go to the camera's settings, find the storage menu, and use the "Format" option. This will erase everything on the card and set it up perfectly for the camera.
- Alternative Method - Computer Formatting: If the camera won't detect the card at all, you can try formatting it on a computer. Use an SD card adapter and connect it to your PC or Mac. Format the card to FAT32. For cards larger than 32GB, you may need to use a special third-party tool to format to FAT32, as Windows' default tool may not offer it. After formatting on the computer, insert it back into the camera and see if it is now detected. If it is, you should still format it again using the in-app tool.
Step 4: Test With a Different Card
If you have completed all the steps above and your card is still not being detected, the card itself may be faulty. The easiest way to confirm this is to try a brand new, known-good microSD card that meets the compatibility requirements.
If a new card works perfectly, then your original card has likely failed. If the new card also isn't detected, there may be a hardware issue with the SD card reader in your Yale camera, and you should contact Yale customer support for further assistance.