Yale Smart Camera Not Recording? Troubleshooting Steps

Is Your Yale Smart Camera Failing to Record?

A security camera that doesn't record when it should is a significant security risk. You rely on your Yale camera to capture important events, whether it's a delivery person at the door or an unauthorised intruder. If you've discovered that there are no recordings on your timeline, even when you know there has been activity, it's crucial to resolve the issue promptly.

This guide will help you troubleshoot the common reasons why a Yale smart camera might not be recording and provide you with the solutions needed to get it working correctly again.

Common Reasons for Yale Cameras Not Recording

The problem usually stems from a misconfiguration in the settings, an issue with the storage medium (like an SD card), or a problem with the motion detection itself.

• Motion Detection is Disabled: The most basic reason is that the setting to trigger recordings has been turned off.
• Incorrect Recording Schedule: You may have inadvertently set a schedule that tells the camera not to record at certain times.
• SD Card Issues: The local storage could be full, corrupted, or not inserted correctly.
• Poorly Configured Detection Zones: The camera might be set to only monitor a specific, small area for motion, ignoring activity elsewhere.
• Low Motion Sensitivity: The sensitivity setting might be too low to pick up the events you want to be recorded.
• Connectivity Problems: While you might be able to live view, intermittent connection drops can prevent recordings from being saved correctly.

How to Fix Your Yale Camera's Recording Issues

Let's work through these potential problems step-by-step within the Yale View app.

1. Check Core Motion Detection Settings

First, let's ensure the fundamental recording features are enabled.

1. Open the Yale View app and select the camera you're having issues with.
2. Tap the settings icon (usually a cogwheel).
3. Go to the "Detection" or "Motion Detection" menu.
4. Ensure that the main Motion Detection toggle is switched ON.
5. Check the Recording Schedule. Make sure it is either set to record 24/7 or that the scheduled times cover the periods you need. An empty schedule means it will never record based on motion.

2. Adjust Motion Detection Sensitivity and Zones

If motion detection is on but not triggering, it may not be sensitive enough.

• Adjust Sensitivity: Within the Motion Detection settings, you will find a sensitivity slider, often ranging from 1 to 5 or 1 to 100. If it's set very low, increase it to a medium or high level.
• Check Activity Zones: If you have configured Activity Zones, ensure they cover the areas where you expect to see motion. If you're unsure, try disabling the zones completely to have the camera monitor its entire field of view as a test.

3. Manage Your SD Card Storage

For cameras that record locally to an SD card, storage management is key.

1. In the camera's settings, find the "Storage" or "SD Card" menu.
2. Check the Status: The app should show the SD card's capacity and how much space is used. If it's full, it may stop recording.
3. Enable Overwrite/Loop Recording: Look for a setting called "Overwrite" or "Loop Recording." When this is enabled, the camera will automatically delete the oldest footage to make space for new recordings. It is highly recommended to enable this.
4. Format the SD Card: If you suspect the card may be corrupted, use the "Format" option in the app. This will erase all existing footage, but it can resolve many recording issues. If formatting fails or the problem returns quickly, the SD card itself may be faulty and should be replaced.

4. Reboot the Camera and Your Router

A simple reboot can often resolve temporary software glitches that might be affecting the recording function.

1. Unplug your Yale camera from its power source.
2. Unplug your Wi-Fi router.
3. Wait for 60 seconds.
4. Plug the router back in first and wait for it to fully connect to the internet.
5. Plug the Yale camera back in and give it a few minutes to come online.

5. Check Night Vision

If you notice recordings happen during the day but not at night, the issue could be with the camera's night vision. In the camera settings, ensure that the Infrared (IR) light or Night Vision mode is set to "Auto." This allows the camera to see and detect motion in low-light conditions.

By systematically reviewing your settings and checking your storage, you can ensure your Yale camera is properly configured to capture and record the events that matter, providing you with the security and peace of mind you expect.