Zosi Camera Not Recording? Here Is How to Fix It

Zosi Security System Not Recording? A Complete Guide

A security camera that doesn't record is a critical failure. If you've noticed that your Zosi DVR, NVR, or standalone camera isn't saving any footage, this guide will walk you through the essential checks to identify and fix the problem. These steps cover the most common issues, from storage errors to incorrect settings.

## Step 1: Inspect the Storage (Hard Drive / SD Card)

The first place to look is the device that stores your footage. No working storage means no recordings.

• Check Hard Drive (HDD) Status:

  1. Log into your Zosi DVR/NVR interface on your monitor.
  2. Navigate to the Main Menu > HDD Info (or Storage).
  3. You should see the hard drive listed. Check its Status. It should say 'Normal' or 'Reading/Writing'. If it says 'Error', 'Not Detected', or is blank, there is a problem with the drive.
  4. Check the Free/Total capacity. Is the drive full?

• Enable Overwrite: If the drive is full and not overwriting, it will stop recording. In the record settings, find the 'Overwrite' or 'Recycle Record' option and make sure it is enabled. This allows the system to automatically delete the oldest footage to create space for new recordings.

• Format the Drive: If you've installed a new drive or the current one is showing errors, you may need to format it. In the HDD Info menu, select the drive and choose 'Format' or 'Init'. Warning: This will permanently erase all existing footage on the drive.

## Step 2: Verify the Recording Mode and Schedule

Your Zosi system can be set to record in different ways. If this isn't configured correctly, it won't record as you expect.

• Select the Correct Record Mode: In the main settings, you can often choose between different modes like Schedule Recording, Manual Recording, or Stop Recording. Ensure you are in 'Schedule Recording' mode for automatic operation. 'Manual' means you have to press a button to record, and 'Stop' disables all recording.
• Configure the Recording Schedule:
  1. Go to Main Menu > Record > Record Conf (or Schedule).
  2. You'll see a timetable for each camera (channel).
  3. You must 'paint' this timetable to tell the system when to record. Select a channel, choose the recording type (e.g., Motion or Normal for continuous), and apply it to the desired hours and days.
  4. A blank schedule means no recording will happen. Ensure the grid is filled in for the times you need.
  5. Remember to copy the settings to other channels if required and save your changes.

## Step 3: Check Motion Detection Settings

If you are only recording on motion, these settings are critical.

• Enable Motion Detection: Go to the Alarm or Motion settings. For each camera, ensure 'Enable' is ticked.
• Set the Detection Area: Use the 'Region' or 'Area' setting to select the parts of the camera's view where you want to detect motion. If the whole screen is blank, it won't detect anything.
• Adjust Sensitivity: If the sensitivity is too low, it may not trigger a recording from subtle movements. Try increasing it slightly.
• Link to Record: Crucially, you must ensure the motion event triggers a recording. In the motion settings, there will be an 'Action' or 'Linkage' section. Make sure the 'Record Channel' box is ticked for the channels you want to record when motion is detected on the current channel.

By systematically working through your system's storage, recording schedule, and motion detection settings, you can solve the vast majority of recording problems on your Zosi security system.