Yale Storage Full: A Guide to Managing Your Camera's Memory
Seeing a "Storage Full" error on your Yale smart security camera can be alarming. It suggests your camera may no longer be recording, leaving your property without surveillance. This common issue is almost always related to the local microSD card storage and can be fixed by adjusting a few key settings. This guide will help you resolve the storage full error and optimise your Yale camera for continuous recording.
## The Role of the MicroSD Card
Most Yale cameras rely on a microSD card that you insert into the device to store video recordings. This card has a finite capacity. When that capacity is reached, what happens next depends entirely on your camera's settings. A "Storage Full" error typically means the camera is not set to automatically overwrite old footage.
## How to Fix the "Storage Full" Error
Follow these steps to get your camera recording again and prevent the issue from recurring.
### Step 1: Enable Loop Recording (Overwrite)
This is the most critical setting for storage management. Loop recording allows the camera to automatically delete the oldest recorded files to make space for the newest ones, creating a continuous loop of recording.
- Open the Yale View app on your smartphone.
- Select the camera that is showing the error.
- Navigate to the Settings menu (usually a gear icon).
- Find the Storage Settings or SD Card Settings section.
- Look for an option named Loop Recording, Overwrite, or Circular Recording.
- Ensure this option is enabled or toggled on.
Once enabled, your camera should start recording again without you needing to manually clear space.
### Step 2: Format the MicroSD Card
If enabling loop recording doesn't immediately solve the problem, or if you suspect the card may have an error, formatting it is the next best step. Formatting erases everything and sets up a clean file system.
- In the same Storage Settings menu in the Yale View app, find and select the Format option.
- Confirm that you want to proceed. Warning: This will permanently delete all video clips currently on the card. Save any important footage to your phone before formatting.
- The process may take a few minutes. Once complete, the card will be empty and ready for new recordings.
### Step 3: Optimise Your Recording Strategy
To make your storage last longer, you can adjust how and when your camera records.
- Record on Motion: Instead of recording 24/7, switch to motion-triggered recording. This means the camera only saves clips when it detects activity, which uses significantly less storage. This setting is usually found under a "Recording Schedule" or "Detection Alarm" menu.
- Adjust Video Quality: Higher resolution video looks better but creates much larger files. In the camera's video or stream settings, try lowering the resolution (e.g., from 1080p to 720p) or reducing the bitrate to extend your recording duration.
## Consider Cloud Storage
For added peace of mind, some Yale camera models may offer a cloud storage subscription. Cloud storage uploads your recordings to a secure remote server. This has two main benefits: it isn't limited by a physical card's capacity, and your footage is safe even if the camera is stolen or damaged. Check the Yale View app or the official Yale website to see if a cloud plan is available for your device.