Dash Cam Troubleshooting Guide
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Have a read through this initial troubleshooting guide to assist you with some of the rare, but most common issues people can have with Dash Cams. Most issues experienced by customers are not the fault of the Dash Cam itself but rather the Micro SD card causing the Dash Cam to play up. Most issues can be easily resolved without having to send your Dash Cam in for testing.
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Most issues are resolved by using the correct Micro SD card. SanDisk branded SD cards are not recommended for use in any Dash Cam and can void the manufacturer’s warranty. SanDisk cards can rapidly degrade under the constant recording stress and fail after a very short period of time. Micro SD cards should not be purchased off eBay as many rebranded/fake/refurbished cards are sold as new/genuine. SanDisk and fake or refurbished SD cards can cause both functional and physical damage to your Dash Cam.
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Always have one Micro SD card dedicated to your Dash Cam. Switching Micro SD cards between devices (cameras, drones etc…) can change the format into one not supported by the Dash Cam.
The correct Micro SD card must be minimum Class 10 write speed rated, made by a reputable, well-known brand and purchased from us or a reputable Australian retailer. We supply genuine Samsung EVO+ cards because of their reliability and proven track record. Ensure you are not using a Micro SD card that has a higher capacity than your Dash Cam can support eg. using a 128GB Micro SD card in a Dash Cam that only supports maximum 64GB. Always check if your Dash Cam requires a specific type/brand of Micro SD card.
Note: Micro SD cards are considered “consumable products” when used in Dash Cams. Micro SD cards used in Dash Cams are under the enormous stress of constant video loop recording. They do have a limited lifespan depending on how much you drive and the quality and age of your card. They will eventually degrade and fail. Regular formatting can increase longevity.
If your Micro SD card is over one year old and your Dash Cam is playing up, it might be time to replace the Micro SD card.
Here are some initial guidance steps to help try and resolve some common issues:
1. If your Dash Cam is not powering up when you turn your car engine on, try the following:
a. Ensure you are not using a SanDisk branded card or a Micro SD card purchased off eBay. Try another SD card (preferably new) that is rated Class 10 write speed.
b. Ensure there are no kinks, twists or compressions on any cords.
c. Ensure you are using the correct memory capacity. For example, using a 128GB SD card in a Dash Cam that only supports a maximum 64GB will cause issues.
d. Check that the power adaptor LED light is ON when the ignition is on. If not, then either the power cord has failed or the car accessory socket (cigarette lighter socket) is dead. Ensure the male power cord adaptor is fully pushed into the cigarette lighter socket.
e. Connect the Dash Cam to a different vehicle and check if the Dash Cam powers up. If it does, then the accessory socket in the original car is most likely dead. If it doesn’t start then the power cord may be faulty.
f. If you have a dual Dash Cam, disconnect the rear camera cable from the front unit. If the front unit works as normal, there could be an issue with the connection cord or rear camera.
g. Remove the Micro SD card from the Dash Cam and power it up. If the Dash Cam powers up without the SD card inside it, then the SD card is causing an issue.
h. Format your SD card – instructions here. Reassess the issue with the formatted card.
i. Update to the latest firmware – instructions here. Reassess the issue with the new firmware.
2. If your Dash Cam is freezing while driving, automatically restarting or shutting down while driving, or showing an SD card error, try the following:
a. Ensure you are not using a SanDisk branded card or a Micro SD card purchased off eBay. Try another SD card (preferably new) that is rated Class 10 write speed.
b. Ensure there are no kinks, twists or compressions on any cords.
c. Ensure you are using the correct memory capacity. For example, using a 128GB SD card in a Dash Cam that only supports a maximum 64GB will cause issues.
d. Ensure the screen saver setting is not activated. Screen saver function blacks out the screen after a selected time to reduce distraction. The Dash Cam still records while screen saver is on.
e. Ensure loop recording is not switched off in the menu. If switched off, the SD card will stop saving files once it is full (loop recording disabled).
f. If you have a dual Dash Cam, disconnect the rear camera cable from the front unit. If the front unit works as normal, there could be an issue with the connection cord or rear camera.
g. Restore factory settings on the Dash Cam via the menu.
h. Update to the latest firmware – instructions here. Reassess the issue with the new firmware.
i. Format the SD card – instructions here. Reassess the issue with the formatted card.
3. If your Dash Cam is not holding the date and time and keeps resetting please try the following (for GPS enabled models the date and time is automatically locked and updated by the GPS satellite):
a. Ensure you are not using a SanDisk branded card or an SD card purchased off eBay. Try another SD card (preferably new) that is rated Class 10 write speed.
b. Ensure your Dash Cam (in-built GPS models) or your external GPS module is mounted clear of any obstructions on the windscreen like tint or the black dots. The GPS signal could be blocked by such obstructions.
c. Try repositioning the Dash Cam or external GPS module for better GPS reception.
d. Ensure the GPS function is switched ON in the menu settings and the correct GMT is set. Ensure you confirm and save the GMT and not accidentally press the back key.
e. For non-GPS enabled Dash Cams, ensure you input the correct date and time via the menu and save it and not accidentally press the back key.
f. Format the SD card – instructions here. Reassess the issue with the formatted card.
g. Update to the latest firmware – instructions here. Reassess the issue with the new firmware.
4. If the time, date or speed stamp is not imprinted your footage during playback ensure that time/date and speed stamp is switched ON via the menu settings. Also follow point 3 above.
5. If your Dash Cam is not saving the most recent files or not recording recent driving files it is most likely that your SD card is full of locked G-Sensor files or parking mode/hazard record files. Try the following if this is the case:
a. Ensure you are not using a SanDisk branded card or an SD card purchased off eBay. Try another SD card (preferably new) that is rated Class 10 write speed.
b. Reduce the G-sensor setting in the menu to low or off. This should stop the G-sensor from picking up minor bumps in the road and locking those files which protects them from loop recording. Once the SD card is full of these locked files it won’t have any room to save new driving footage.
c. Format the SD card – instructions here. This will delete all the locked files off the SD card and free up space for the new recordings.
d. If your Dash Cam does not have automatic parking mode, but has manual parking mode, ensure parking mode/motion detection is switched OFF while driving. If motion detection is left on while driving, the Dash Cam thinks you are parked and will constantly lock the driving files (lots of motion) until the SD card fills up with locked parking mode files and will have no room to save new driving files.
e. Update to the latest firmware – instructions here. Reassess the issue with the new firmware.
6. If your smartphone is not connecting to your Dash Cam via Wi-Fi or the Wi-Fi connection cuts out, try the following:
Have a read of our dedicated article with step by step instructions on pairing a Dash Cam to a compatible phone (click here to read)
a. Ensure you are not using a SanDisk branded card or an SD card purchased off eBay. Try another SD card (preferably new) that is rated Class 10 write speed.
b. First, activate Wi-Fi on your Dash Cam, and second, ensure Wi-Fi on your phone is turned on. Stay within close range of your Dash Cam while trying to connect (generally within 5 metres).
c. Ensure all saved/remembered “auto-connect” Wi-Fi networks on your phone have been disabled/forgotten. For example a home Wi-Fi network. If you are in your driveway or close to your house, your phone will try and connect to these saved networks while attempting to connect to your Dash Cam. Searching for these “auto-connect” Wi-Fi networks can override searching and connection to your Dash Cam.
d. Check and ensure that Smart Network Switching (Android) or Wi-Fi Assist (iOS) is disabled on your phone. If activated, this can interrupt and disable all Wi-Fi connections. This feature switches between Wi-Fi and mobile networks to maintain a stable internet connection. When switching to a mobile network, all Wi-Fi connections are cut. It can be switched off via your phone settings.
d. Ensure you are using the correct manufacturer default password and ssid, if you haven’t already changed it to your own.
e. For 2-channel Dash Cams ensure both front and rear cameras are connected while in operation. This ensures proper functioning of the unit.
f. Delete the existing Dash Cam App off your phone and re-install it from your App or Play Store.
g. Ensure you have the latest App version on your Dash Cam on your smartphone. The latest version can be downloaded from your App or Play Store.
h. Update to the latest firmware – instructions here. This will reboot your Dash Cam ssid and password.
i. Try another phone and if the Dash Cam connects, then the original phone/phone settings has an issue.
j. If your phone goes into sleep/standby mode while connected to your Dash Cam, this can cut the Wi-Fi connection.
7. If your Dash Cam is hardwired and playing up we recommend you have the installation and hardwire kit settings rechecked by your installer. We always highly recommend hardwire kits be installed by a qualified auto electrician from the beginning.
a. Issues rarely encountered regarding hardwired Dash Cams include not powering up when the engine is switched on, Dash Cam switching off when ignition turns off, not going into parking mode, and recording constantly while parked rather than only when motion/impact is detected. These issues are due to incorrect wiring into the fuse box and settings configurations. Ensure your installer used the manufacturer power cord and not a generic brand. Ensure your installer has not chopped the adaptor off the power cord or chopped any wires. This will fry the Dash Cam with 12V/24V of power and void any warranty.
b. If you find your Dash Cam is off after Parking Mode, your car battery might have reached the low voltage cut off point during parked mode recording. If you find the camera is turning off rather quick in parking mode, the constant power circuit chosen might actually cut off after a set time. Try another constant circuit which doesn’t switch off after a set amount of time.
b. Unplug your Dash Cam from the hardwire kit and plug it straight into the cigarette lighter socket. If the Dash Cam powers up and behaves normally through the lighter socket them most likely the hardwire kit installation is incorrect or the hardwire kit settings are incorrect.
If you have any further enquiries or would like more assistance please do not hesitate to contact us on (03) 9350 2605 or info@dashcamsaustralia.com.au or on our Live Chat tab on the site.