Zmodo Not Providing 24/7 Recording? Here's How to Fix It
One of the most important features for robust security is 24/7 continuous recording, which ensures that you have an uninterrupted timeline of events. If you've set up your Zmodo camera expecting this feature but it's only recording clips or not recording at all, it can be a significant concern. This problem often stems from subscription status, storage issues, or incorrect settings rather than a faulty camera.
This guide will help you diagnose why your Zmodo camera isn't recording 24/7 and provide you with the solutions needed to enable continuous video recording.
Key Reasons for Zmodo's Lack of 24/7 Recording
Before you can fix the issue, you need to identify the cause. Here are the most common reasons why continuous recording might not be working:
- Model Incompatibility: Not every Zmodo camera model supports 24/7 recording. Many battery-powered models are designed only for motion-triggered clips to save power.
- Subscription Plan: For cloud storage, 24/7 recording is typically a premium feature. Your current Zmodo Cloud subscription plan might only include motion event storage.
- Local Storage Issues: If you are using an SD card or a Zmodo NVR, it may be full, corrupted, or not correctly formatted.
- Incorrect App Settings: The recording mode in the Zmodo app might be set to 'Events Only' instead of 'Continuous'.
- Poor Network Connection: An unstable Wi-Fi connection can interrupt the stream to the cloud or NVR, resulting in gaps in your recording timeline.
Steps to Enable Continuous 24/7 Recording on Zmodo
Follow these steps to troubleshoot and activate the 24/7 recording feature on your compatible Zmodo device.
1. Verify Camera Model and Subscription Plan
First, confirm that your setup supports the feature.
- Check Model Specifications: Visit the Zmodo website or check your camera's original packaging to confirm that it has 24/7 recording capabilities. This feature is generally available on mains-powered cameras.
- Review Your Cloud Plan: Log in to your Zmodo account on the app or website. Navigate to your subscription details and verify that your plan includes '24/7 CVR (Cloud Video Recording)'. If not, you will need to upgrade your plan to enable the feature for cloud storage.
2. Check and Manage Your Storage
Whether you're using a cloud service or local storage, it needs to be functioning correctly.
- For SD Card Users:
- Open the Zmodo app and navigate to your camera's settings.
- Find the storage or SD card menu. Check the status.
- If it shows an error or is nearly full, use the 'Format' option within the app. This will erase all footage but will often resolve recording issues.
- Ensure the 'Overwrite' or 'Loop Recording' feature is enabled. This allows the camera to automatically record over the oldest footage when the card is full.
- For NVR Users: Check the hard drive status in your NVR's system settings to ensure it is healthy and has free space.
3. Configure Settings in the Zmodo App
You need to explicitly tell the camera to record continuously.
- Open the Zmodo app and select the camera you want to configure.
- Go to the device 'Settings'.
- Look for a 'Recording Mode' or 'Recording Schedule' option.
- Ensure you have selected 'Continuous Recording' or have set the schedule for all hours of all days. If it's set to 'Motion Detection' or 'Event Recording', it will not record 24/7.
4. Ensure a Stable Network Connection
Continuous recording requires a constant and stable upload stream. Any interruptions in your Wi-Fi can lead to lost footage. In your camera's settings, check the Wi-Fi signal strength. If it is weak, consider moving your camera closer to your router or using a Wi-Fi extender to improve the connection. A quick reboot of your camera and router can also help re-establish a stable link.
By systematically checking your hardware, subscription, storage, and settings, you can resolve the vast majority of issues preventing 24/7 recording on your Zmodo camera.