No Hard Drive or Hard Disk or microSD Found
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A recorder may show a storage error "Notice! Hard disk not found!" when it cannot detect its local storage device, or there is no hard drive or microSD found. Most recorders use an internal hard drive (HDD), while some Swann recorders can use a microSD card instead.
Before following the troubleshooting steps below, check which type of storage your recorder uses. Some troubleshooting steps in this article only apply to recorders with an internal HDD.
Things to Check
Before troubleshooting:
- Make sure the recorder is powered on.
- Check whether your recorder uses an internal HDD or microSD card for local storage.
- DVR-4480 series, DVR-4685 series, NVW-650, NVW-800, and NVW-MR4K were sold with microSD. Check its microSD card slot at the rear panel.
- If your recorder was previously recording normally, note any recent power outage, power adapter change, or storage replacement.
- For a more accurate troubleshooting steps, choose your recorder model number:
MicroSD Card Troubleshooting
Some Swann recorders use a microSD card instead of an internal hard drive. If your recorder uses microSD and storage is not detected, follow these troubleshooting steps.
Check the microSD Card
Make sure a compatible microSD card is installed correctly.
- Locate the microSD card slot on the rear panel of the recorder.
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Power off the recorder by unplugging its power adapter.
Remove the backup battery if the recorder has one. - Remove the microSD card.
- Check the card for dirt, damage, or other visible problems.
- Reinsert the microSD card securely.
- Power on the recorder.
- Check whether storage is detected.
If the recorder still does not detect the card, continue to the next step.
Try a Different Compatible microSD Card
If the recorder still does not detect the microSD card, the card may be faulty, incompatible, or reaching the end of its lifespan.
- Remove the current microSD card.
- Insert a known-compatible microSD card.
- Restart the recorder.
- Go to Setup > Device > HDD again.
If the replacement card is detected, the original microSD card may need to be replaced.
If the replacement card is also not detected, the recorder may have an issue with its microSD card reader or internal storage system.
HDD Troubleshooting
If your recorder uses an internal hard drive, continue with the steps below.
Power Supply Check
Power issues can prevent an internal hard drive from being detected.
- Verify that the power adapter matches the required output for your recorder. See table below.
- Disconnect all peripherals except the TV, mouse, and power adapter.
- Restart the recorder and check whether the hard drive is detected.
- If the hard drive is detected after reducing the connections, consider replacing the power adapter with one that has the correct specifications.
| Type | Power source / Output rating |
|---|---|
| DVR (Recorder) | 4ch or 8ch: 12V 2A–5A power adapter 16-channel: 12V 5A power adapter |
| NVR (8580, 8600, 8780 series) | 48V power adapter (8ch=1.5A to 2A; 16ch=2.5A to 3.75A) |
| NVR AdvancedX™ | 48V power adapter (8ch=1.5A; 16ch=3.75A) |
| NVR EliteX™ | 48V power adapter (8ch=1.5A 72W) |
| NVW-MR4K NVW-650 NVW-800 |
12V 2A power adapter |
DID YOU KNOW? On some DVR systems, the recorder and cameras use power adapters with the same output rating. If the ratings match, you can temporarily swap the adapters to help isolate a power-related issue.
Hard Drive Compatibility
If you've recently replaced or upgraded your hard drive, ensure it's made for recorders.
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Use a surveillance-rated hard drive.
Some examples include:
- Western Digital Purple™
- Seagate SkyHawk™
- Toshiba Surveillance
These drives are designed for continuous operation and high write cycles.
- Avoid general-purpose desktop HDDs or SSDs. These are not designed for the continuous workloads of surveillance systems.
Final HDD Steps
If the hard drive is still not detected:
- Power off the recorder and disconnect its power cable.
- Check that the hard drive's power and data cables are securely connected.
- Reconnect the cables and power on the recorder.
- Check whether the hard drive is detected.
- If available, test with a compatible, functioning hard drive.
- Contact Swann Support if the recorder still does not detect a compatible hard drive.
Warning: Only open the recorder or check internal connections if you are comfortable doing so. Otherwise, skip this step and contact Swann Support.
See also:
Storage is Detected, but Not Recording
If the storage is detected but is not working correctly, formatting it may resolve storage-related problems.
- Go to Setup > Device > HDD
- Select the storage you wish to format by checking the box
- Click
Important: Formatting permanently deletes recordings saved on the local storage card. If possible, export or back up any important recordings before formatting.
Why Did This Happen?
Storage may stop being detected because of a power issue, a loose connection, a corrupted storage file system, an incompatible or failing storage device, or normal storage wear.
For recorders using microSD cards, the same type of storage failure can occur without an internal hard drive being present. A microSD card may become corrupted or stop functioning after extended recording and rewriting.
How to Prevent This
- Use compatible storage recommended for your recorder.
- Avoid removing the microSD card while the recorder is operating unless the instructions for your model specifically allow it.
- Use a surge protector to help protect the recorder from power fluctuations.
- Back up important recordings regularly.
- Replace storage that repeatedly causes recording or detection problems.
Related Questions
How do I know if my recorder uses a hard drive or microSD card?
Check your recorder's model specifications or user manual. Some Swann recorders support both HDD and microSD storage.
Will formatting the microSD card delete my recordings?
Yes. Formatting local storage permanently deletes recordings stored on the card. Back up important recordings before formatting.
What should I do if a new microSD card is also not detected?
Make sure the replacement card is compatible, then restart the recorder and check Setup > Device > HDD again. If the recorder still cannot detect the card, the recorder may have an issue with its storage reader or internal storage system.
Can I use the HDD troubleshooting steps if my recorder uses microSD?
No. Steps involving HDD cables, surveillance-rated hard drives, or replacing the internal hard drive only apply to recorders that use an HDD.
Summary
First identify whether your recorder uses an internal HDD or microSD card.
- For microSD recorders, check the card, restart the recorder, go to Setup > Device > HDD to confirm detection, format the card if it is detected but not working, and test a compatible replacement if necessary.
- For HDD recorders, follow the HDD compatibility, power supply, connection, and replacement steps in this article.