⛔ SD Card Error. Please Format
An annoying phrase that suddenly appears on the vehicle's surveillance camera screen, and it is the beginning of a series of car dash cam malfunctions: recording stops, important footage is lost, or the camera even malfunctions completely.
Over time, problems start to mount, such as overheating, GPS not working, poor image quality at night, or the camera suddenly turning off for no apparent reason.
If you've experienced one or more of these problems, you're not alone. In this practical guide from Newtech, the best dash cam store in Kuwait , we review the 5 most common malfunctions that car surveillance camera users face, along with a simplified explanation of the causes of each malfunction and the best solutions you can implement yourself without the need for a technician or expert. So follow along!
5 Car Dash Cam Malfunctions and How to Fix and Avoid Them
The most common dash cam malfunctions are overheating, storage issues (such as a damaged or incompatible SD card that suddenly stops recording), poor Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity, poor image quality at night, and power outages when the car battery voltage is low.
These problems may seem annoying to many, but their solutions are simple and effective if they are accurately diagnosed. So let's discuss each problem in detail and find the final solutions for them:
1- Dash cam overheating
A car's surveillance camera overheats for several reasons, the most important of which is continuous operation in hot weather inside the car, especially when exposed to direct sunlight through the windshield. Poor ventilation in the cockpit, the use of a poor-quality memory card, continuous operation of features such as GPS and Wi-Fi, and continuous recording of 4K or 2K video can also contribute to stress on the processor and internal battery, leading to overheating.
✅ To solve the problem of high car dash cam temperature, here are 6 effective methods:
1- Choose an ideal location to install the camera: It is best to install it behind the front mirror away from sunlight to avoid direct exposure to heat.
2- Good ventilation: Leave space between the camera and the car window to allow air to flow, and when parking, open the windows slightly to release hot air and reduce internal heat.
3- Choose a high-quality camera: from a reliable brand, with heat-resistant features, and internal sensors and cooling systems.
4- Use heat-resistant accessories: such as cooling pads or placing sunshades on the car’s windshield, especially if you park it outside regularly.
5- Adjust device settings: Reduce recording quality to 1080P or 720P to reduce processor load, suspend or turn off GPS and Wi-Fi when not in use, and change the recording loop settings to a longer duration (5-10 minutes) to reduce frequent data writing.
6- Keep your software up-to-date: Monitor regular updates released by the manufacturer, as they often include improvements to heat management and power consumption.
🧐 How to choose the right dash cam for your car ? Learn 10 things to look for before buying!
2- Problems with installing GPS and Wi-Fi in dash cameras
If your dash cam isn't picking up GPS signals or connecting to Wi-Fi, it could be due to improper device location, signal interference, or disabled system settings. It could also be due to a faulty cable, weak firmware, or a weak mobile app. Follow these tips to solve GPS and Wi-Fi problems on your dash cam:
✅ To strengthen the GPS signal in the dash cam:
1- Install the GPS unit in an exposed location inside the car, away from heat-reflecting glass or metal mirrors.
2- Make sure that the GPS unit is facing upwards (to the sky) without obstructions.
3- Wait a few minutes after starting the car for the camera to connect to the satellites.
4- Check that GPS is enabled in the camera settings or its application.
✅ To solve Wi-Fi connection problems in the dash cam:
1- Manually activate the Wi-Fi button on the camera, and wait for the network to appear on your phone.
2- Delete the network from the phone settings, then reconnect to it and enter the password accurately.
3- Disable Wi-Fi Assist on iPhones, or Smart Network Switch on Androids, to prevent automatic disconnection.
4- Activate airplane mode on your phone and then manually turn on Wi-Fi to avoid interference from other networks.
5- Make sure to grant the app all required permissions (location, network, storage).
6- Update the camera software and the official app to the latest version.
🧐 Enjoy a smart driving experience with the AZDOME front and rear dash cam , now available at Newtech Store!
Ultra-clear 4K and 1080P recording, fast Wi-Fi 6 connectivity for app-based video playback and sharing, and built-in GPS for precise tracking of your route and speed while driving.
3- Poor night vision quality in dash cam
Poor night-time recording performance in car dash cams can be attributed to several factors, the most important of which are the type of sensor, lens quality, camera settings, and the nature of the surrounding lighting. Sometimes the problem isn't with the camera itself, but rather with how it's used or installed.
Here are the most common reasons for poor night vision on a dash cam:
1- Sensor type: Some cameras use old sensors with poor light sensitivity, resulting in dark, noisy images.
2- Lens quality: Cheap lenses do not collect enough light, which weakens details in low-light conditions.
3- Setting the ISO setting incorrectly: ISO is the sensor's sensitivity to light, and setting it incorrectly may result in images that are either dark or full of noise. The higher the ISO value, the more sensitive the camera is to light, but it may cause noise in the image.
4- External lighting: Poor street lighting or pointing the camera at dark places reduces image clarity.
5- Lens dirt: Dust or fingerprints on the lens obstruct light entry and distort image quality.
✅ The best solutions to improve the quality of night photography on your dash cam
1- High-quality sensors: Using surveillance cameras that contain advanced sensors with high performance.
2- Adjust the camera settings manually: Try adjusting the ISO (light sensitivity) and aperture settings to achieve a balance between clarity and noise reduction, keeping in mind that high ISO may result in blurry images.
3- Clean the lens regularly: Keep your camera lens and car windshield clean to reduce distractions and improve visual clarity.
4- Optimize the installation location: Point the camera towards the road, not towards direct lights or reflective glass.
5- Use a CPL Circular Polarizing Lens filter: This is a circular polarizing filter that is mounted on the lens to reduce reflections from the car's windows and improve the clarity of details at night.
6- External lighting support: Take advantage of car lights or well-lit places to improve the lighting level for recording.
7- Choose a dash cam with enhanced night shooting technologies: such as noise reduction or wide dynamic range (WDR/HDR).
8- Update the camera firmware: Make sure to update the camera operating system regularly to improve image processing and enhance night performance.
🧐 AZDOME Smart Car Mirror Dash Cam - PG17 Mini with 9.66-inch Screen
It offers 4K front and 1080P rear shooting with ultra-clear night vision to document every moment even in the dark! It supports Wi-Fi, GPS, 24-hour recording, and works as a regular mirror with the push of a button.
4- Dash Cam SD Card Storage Problems
SD card storage problems may appear as error messages, sudden recording stops, frozen screen, or corrupted files that are difficult to access. These problems may be caused by card corruption, incorrect formatting, or card incompatibility with the camera system.
Here are the most important reasons:
1- Card damage: due to excessive use, high temperatures, or dropping, which causes permanent damage to the storage units.
2- Incompatible file system: The card may be formatted with a system such as exFAT or NTFS while the camera only supports FAT32, which leads to the Format SD card message appearing.
3- Data or sector damage: Files may become damaged or bad sectors may develop inside the card over time.
4- Inserting or removing the card during operation: Removing the card while recording video or operating the camera may cause sudden damage to the file system.
5- Slow read/write speed: Using a slow or damaged card leads to storage delays and the camera stops recording.
✅ Best solutions to solve dash cam storage issues
1- Reformat the card inside the camera: From the settings menu to generate a compatible system (FAT32/exFAT depending on the card and camera).
2- Format the card using SD Formatter: On the computer, the card is automatically formatted with FAT32 if its capacity is less than 32GB, or exFAT if it is larger than 32GB, to ensure compatibility and avoid errors.
3- Replace the card when recurring problems occur: especially if it is old or has been physically damaged.
4- Use a high-endurance SD card: designed for continuous recording in devices such as dash cams.
5- Check for bad sectors using a computer: Using tools such as CHKDSK or error checking applications on Windows.
6- Update the camera firmware: to improve compatibility and support modern cards.
7- Replace the card periodically (every 6 to 12 months): to avoid sudden failure due to prolonged use or exposure to heat.
8- Restart the camera after any card change to ensure that the settings are loaded correctly.
Important preventative tips for maintaining your dash cam's SD card:
🔹 Use cards from trusted companies like SanDisk, Samsung, or Kingston.
🔹 Do not insert or remove the card while the camera is powered on.
🔹 Check the card status periodically, and keep backup copies of important files.
🔹 Choose a card with a capacity and speed appropriate for the type of recording (preferably Class 10 or at least U3).
🔹 Store the card in a protective case when not in use to protect it from scratches or moisture.
5- Dash cam power outage due to low battery voltage
A dash cam may suddenly turn off due to low car battery voltage, especially when the camera is parked or during hot days. When the voltage drops below a certain level, some cameras automatically cut off power to protect the battery from over-discharging.
✅ So, to prevent the surveillance camera from disconnecting suddenly inside the car, here is one of the following solutions:
1- Use a hardwire kit that supports protection: Make sure the connection module has an automatic power-off feature when the voltage drops (e.g., at 11.8V or 12V).
2- Check your car battery regularly: If the battery is old or weak, it may not be able to operate the camera for long periods.
3- Adjust the protection settings inside the camera: Some cameras allow you to specify the minimum voltage before automatic shutdown, so make sure it is set appropriately.
4- Install an external battery pack for the dash cam (Dash Cam Battery Pack): It provides an independent power source and protects the car battery, especially when the dash cam is operating while the car is parked .
5- Ensure the quality of the connection: Make sure that the connections and wires are well secured, and that there is no power loss due to a damaged wire or a loose connector.
In conclusion, most car dash cam malfunctions can be avoided with good device selection, regular maintenance, and the proper settings and accessories. Therefore, don't neglect to update the software or check the memory card regularly, as this will prolong the life of the camera and maintain recording quality. Remember, a camera isn't just a recording device; it's a smart protection tool to protect you from accidents and safeguard your rights!