Problems with your dashcam? Does it stop turning on, does it not record or keeps dropping out? A malfunctioning dashcam can have several causes. Here are some tips to help you find the cause.

If your dashcam still does not work after following this step-by-step plan, or if you have found the cause and need our help to solve it? Then please contact our customer service team - even if you didn't buy your dashcam from us - and we'll be happy to help.

1. Check the power supply

Check that the dashcam is connected correctly and that any On/Off switch is set to ‘On’. Preferably do this in the car, using the original cigarette power supply or hardwire kit supplied. Connecting to the PC or using a USB port in the car usually does not work. Either the dashcam does not get enough power or it is seen as a media device (USB stick) and cannot be operated. An LED on the cigarette lighter and/or dashcam usually lights up when the power supply is connected.

Many dashcams have two connections for the power supply; directly on the dashcam or via the cradle. Try both connections to rule out that it is down to one of them. Sometimes the holder does not transmit power properly and needs to be replaced.

2. Connect to mains power

Did the above not help? Then connect the dashcam to the mains using a USB adapter, such as the one for your mobile phone. Most dashcams have a standard Micro or Mini USB connection. Does this turn it on? The problem is then with the power supply or its connection. In this case, contact our customer service for a solution.

3. Restore factory settings

Sounds logical, but many problems are simply caused by an incorrect setting. Are recordings playing back too quickly or does the dashcam keep stopping recording? Chances are the Time Lapse or Motion detection mode on the dashcam is on. Reset the dashcam's factory settings in its menu or via the app and see if it works better after this.

Does your dashcam repeatedly switch off after 1 or 3 minutes? Most dashcams have a screensaver set by default that turns off the screen after 1 or 3 minutes so as not to hinder the driver too much while driving. In this case, the dashcam simply continues filming and you can usually turn the screen back on by pressing the screen or OK button. The screensaver can be turned off in the menu if you wish, the screen will then always remain on.

4. Format SD card

If you still have problems, it could be due to an incorrectly formatted, defective or too slow (Micro)SD card. An SD card - especially before its first use - should always be formatted to make it work properly. Always format the SD card in the camera's menu or via the App.

Formatting via PC is usually useless or even counterproductive. For 16gb and 32gb cards it is not such a problem, but 64gb cards or higher are formatted to the exFat file format by default on the PC. A dashcam (and almost every other camera) only reads SD cards with the FAT32 file format. Formatting the SD card on the PC can therefore result in the SD card no longer being usable in the camera at all. In that case, you can no longer perform a firmware update with it either (see step 6).

5. Checking the SD card

If your dashcam is still not recording properly or keeps shutting down after booting up, try turning it on without the SD card inserted. It won't record, of course, but if it doesn't just switch off and doesn't show the previous problems, the SD card is probably the cause of the problem after all.

A good SD card is crucial when using a dashcam. Preferably use a new SD card from an A-brand (Samsung, Lexar, Sandisk, Transcend or Kingston). Buy your SD card from a reliable party and not on AliExpress, for example, where many fake cards are offered. Check out this article for more explanation on a suitable SD card for your dashcam.

6. Disconnect rear camera

Some problems are caused by the rear camera (for 2CH Dual dashcams). Disconnect the rear camera from the front dashcam to see if the dashcam works better without the rear camera. If this is the case, it could be that the rear camera or the cable is faulty, but it could also be that the SD card is not fast enough for two cameras. To test this, again remove the SD card from the dashcam and reconnect the rear camera to check whether the dashcam then works better.

7. Update firmware

Is your dashcam still working properly? Then try updating the dashcam's firmware. A firmware update resets the dashcam, this sometimes helps fix problems. Many manufacturers post the latest firmware and update instructions on their website, check the manual or contact our customer service.

8. Consult the manual

Some problems are due to specific functions of a dashcam. Therefore, check the manual under the ‘Troubleshooting’ section to see if your problem is mentioned there.