Reolink NVR may fail to record footage if the hard drive is not properly initialized, the storage is full, or if there are incorrect recording schedule settings. Additionally, issues with camera connectivity or firmware may also prevent recording. Troubleshooting these areas can help restore proper recording functionality.

Applies to: All Reolink NVRs

Symptoms for NVR Not Recording

  1. HDD Does Not Record at All: The HDD fails to capture any footage, indicating potential issues with the drive or its connection to the NVR.

  2. HDD Often Stops Recording: The HDD intermittently halts recording from all cameras simultaneously, requiring a restart or format of the NVR to resume recording.

  3. HDD Does Not Automatically Overwrite: The HDD fails to overwrite older footage automatically, leading to potential storage issues and a lack of new recordings.

Troubleshooting for Reolink Camera Not Recording to NVR

There are different solutions for original HDDs and third-party HDDs. You should choose the corresponding solution based on the type of your HDD.

The original HDD not Working

  1. Use the original power adapter: Please ensure that you're using the original power adapter that came with your NVR. If you're using a different adapter, make sure it meets the power requirements for your NVR model.
  2. Check the HDD installation: Please power off the NVR, unplug, and then re-plug the cables on both ends of the HDD. Make sure all connections are secure. After confirming the HDD connection is okay, power on the NVR again. Refer to How to Change the HDD for Reolink NVR
  3. Recognized HDD: Please check if the hard drive (HDD) is properly recognized by the NVR. Refer to the following links to check if the HDD listed there with the correct capacity.
    How to Check/Format HDD via Reolink App 
    How to Check/Format HDD via Reolink NVRs
  4. Check the correct recording schedule: Please ensure that the recording schedule is set correctly for 24/7 recording. How to Set up Record Schedule for Reolink Cameras
  5. Enable the Overwrite: Verify that the overwrite function is enabled. This ensures that when the HDD is full, the oldest footage is overwritten. How to Enable/Disable Overwrite
  6. Upgrade to the Latest Firmware Version: Here is a link to help you Reolink Firmware Update Guide
  7. Test other proper HDD: If you have access to another compatible HDD, you could try replacing the current HDD to see if the NVR powers on and recognizes it.

If you have tried all the above solutions and are still the same, please contact the Reolink Support team with HDD info How to Check/Format HDD via Reolink App

The third-party HDD not Working

  1. Use the original power adapter: Please ensure that you're using the original power adapter that came with your NVR. If you're using a different adapter, make sure it meets the power requirements for your NVR model.
  2. Check the HDD installation: Please power off the NVR, unplug, and then re-plug the cables on both ends of the HDD. Make sure all connections are secure. After confirming the HDD connection is okay, power on the NVR again. Refer to How to Change the HDD for Reolink NVR
  3. Recognized HDD: Please check if the hard drive (HDD) is properly recognized by the NVR. Refer to the following links to check if the HDD listed there with the correct capacity.
    How to Check/Format HDD via Reolink App 
    How to Check/Format HDD via Reolink NVRs
  4. Check the correct recording schedule: Please ensure that the recording schedule is set correctly for 24/7 recording. How to Set up Record Schedule for Reolink Cameras
  5. Enable the Overwrite: Verify that the overwrite function is enabled. This ensures that when the HDD is full, the oldest footage is overwritten. How to Enable/Disable Overwrite
  6. Meets specification: The HDD capacity meets specification and is a surveillance-level or higher-level HDD. Here is a link to help you confirm the compatibility. How to Choose HDDs for your NVR
  7. Support SATA port:
    1. Additional power supply: When connecting an external hard drive via the eSATA port, make sure to use an additional power supply for this hard drive.
    2. Change SATA port: For NVRs that support the installation of multiple HDDs, try moving to another SATA port to see if it works. Here is a link to tell you if your NVR supports multiple HDDs. How Many HDDs Can I Connect with Reolink NVR System
  8. Test other third-party HDDs: If you have a spare other third-party HDDs, please test and confirm if the issue relates to the HDD or NVR.

If you have tried all the above solutions and are still the same, please contact the Reolink Support team with the following info

1. The brand and model of your hard drive

2. Photos of both sides of the hard drive, ensuring the labels are clear and readable

3. How the hard drive is connected (internally or externally)

4. Export diagnostic information when the issue occurs (Only applicable for NVRs with new UI Introduction to Hardware Versions of Reolink NVRs)