--- title: "Hikvision DVR Not Recording or Not Working: Fixes | Qyvea" url: https://qyvea.co.ke/hikvision-dvr-not-recording-kenya description: "Hikvision DVR or NVR not recording or not working? Check the hard disk, recording schedule, overwrite, date and cameras. Fixes and when to call us." updated: 2026-10-17 --- > Markdown copy of https://qyvea.co.ke/hikvision-dvr-not-recording-kenya for AI assistants. Prices and stock change; check the live page. 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Causes and Fixes No playback, gaps in recordings or a DVR that won't start: the checks that find the cause, in order. Every day this stays broken costs you more than the repair would. Read on: it takes a few minutes and could save you a lot more than that. **In this guide you will see:** - Check the hard disk status first: it should say Normal. - Make sure Overwrite is enabled so the disk records over the oldest footage. - A wrong date makes recordings look 'missing'. Quick answer When a Hikvision recorder stops recording, the cause is usually the hard disk (failed, not initialised or full with overwrite turned off), the recording schedule, a wrong date and time, or cameras that have gone offline. Check them in that order before replacing anything. [Photo: Alan J. Hendry / Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/KNt4zd8HPb0) Why act on it now ## A fault you ignore is a fault that grows. ### If you wait - Working around the fault for another week - A small problem turning into a replacement - Nobody checking the rest of the system ### What you get - The likely cause found fast, with the checks in this guide - A technician who fixes it properly if the checks do not - A system you can rely on again [Hikvision DS-2CD1023G0E-I 2MP Bullet](/products/hikvision-ds-2cd1023g0e-i-2mp-bullet-network-camera-132 "Hikvision DS-2CD1023G0E-I 2MP Bullet Network Camera")[Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome](/products/dahua-hdcvi-2mp-dome-camera-14357 "Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome Camera")[Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 16CH 4K](/products/hikvision-ds-7616ni-q2-16ch-4k-nvr-189 "Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 16CH 4K NVR") [Get my free quote on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%20read%20your%20guide%3A%20Hikvision%20DVR%20Not%20Recording%3F%20Causes%20and%20Fixes.%20I%20want%20CCTV%20sorted.%20Can%20you%20help%3F)Reply usually within 30 minutes. Free site survey in Nairobi and nearby counties. Real products, live prices, in stock now ## Key takeaways - Check the hard disk status first: it should say Normal. - Make sure Overwrite is enabled so the disk records over the oldest footage. - A wrong date makes recordings look 'missing'. - Initialising a disk erases everything on it. - A recorder that keeps restarting often has a failing disk or power supply. ## Check in this order 1. **Hard disk status**: Storage / HDD: Normal is good; Uninitialised, Abnormal or Error means a disk problem. 2. **Overwrite**: Storage / Advanced: with overwrite off, recording stops when the disk is full. 3. **Recording schedule**: Each camera needs a schedule (continuous or event) that covers the times you expect. 4. **Date and time**: A wrong clock files recordings under the wrong day, so playback looks empty. 5. **Cameras online**: Offline cameras can't be recorded; see camera no picture. ## Common symptoms | Symptom | Likely cause | Fix | | --- | --- | --- | | No playback at all | Disk failed or not initialised | Replace or initialise the disk (initialising erases it) | | Recording stopped on a date | Disk full, overwrite off | Enable overwrite | | Gaps at night | Motion-only schedule or IR problems | Check the schedule and night image | | Recorder beeps | HDD error or camera loss alarm | Check Storage and camera status | | Keeps restarting | Failing disk or power supply | Test with another adapter; replace the disk | See [how long CCTV records](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-recording-duration-hard-drives-kenya) and [CCTV hard disk prices](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-hard-disk-price-in-kenya). ## When to call a technician **When to call a professional**: If the disk shows Abnormal, the recorder won't boot, or you can't log in, Qyvea can test the disk, recover what's possible and get recording again. Call [0113 301 244](tel:+254113301244) or [WhatsApp us](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%20need%20help%20with%20my%20CCTV%20recorder). ## Frequently asked questions Why does my Hikvision DVR say HDD error? The disk has failed, is not initialised, or is loose. Check the cables; if it still shows an error, the disk usually needs replacing. Does initialising the disk delete recordings? Yes. Initialising formats the disk, so only do it on a new disk or when you no longer need the footage. Why is there no playback for yesterday? Check the recorder's date and time and the recording schedule first; both commonly cause 'missing' footage. ## Why customers choose Qyvea **Genuine brands**: Manufacturer warranty on what we sell, so you are not gambling on the box. **One team, start to finish**: The people who advise you also install and support it. **Fast answers**: WhatsApp replies usually within 30 minutes, and delivery within 24 hours in Nairobi. **Easy to buy**: Pay by M-Pesa, bank transfer or card. Free delivery in Nairobi on orders over KES 5,000. **Risk taken off you**: 7-day returns and exchanges on products, and a workmanship warranty on installations. **Customers say so**: Rated 4.6/5 from 57 Google reviews. **Your next step takes one minute:** send us a photo of the place on WhatsApp and we will tell you what it needs. ## Related articles [CCTV · Troubleshooting Hikvision DVR or NVR Forgot Password: How to Reset It The official ways to reset a Hikvision recorder password, which one applies to your device, and how to get it done for you. 3 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/hikvision-dvr-password-reset-kenya)[CCTV · Guide Hikvision Recording Time: How Many Days Will Your DVR Keep? Work out how many days your Hikvision recorder will keep, and how to make it keep longer. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/hikvision-recording-time-days-kenya)[CCTV · Troubleshooting CCTV Camera Shows No Picture / Black Screen One camera or the whole screen is black. How to tell a camera fault from a cable, power, recorder or monitor problem. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/camera-no-picture-black-screen-kenya) ### Related services [CCTV Repair](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-repair-kenya)[Hikvision NVR & DVR Prices](https://qyvea.co.ke/hikvision-nvr-dvr-price-in-kenya) ### Related products [CCTV cameras in the shop](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-cameras-kenya) ### Related projects [CCTV installation, commercial property](https://qyvea.co.ke/projects#cctv-case-study) [← Previous**Hikvision AcuSense: Human & Vehicle Detection Explained**](https://qyvea.co.ke/hikvision-acusense-human-vehicle-detection-kenya)[Next →**: Hikvision DVR or NVR Forgot Password: How to Reset It**](https://qyvea.co.ke/hikvision-dvr-password-reset-kenya) ## Still experiencing the problem? Qyvea can inspect and diagnose the system on site. Chat with us — 30 min response --- **Qyvea Limited** · Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya (delivery only, no walk-in pickup) · serving all 47 counties Phone/WhatsApp: [+254 113 301 244](https://wa.me/254113301244) · Email: info@qyvea.co.ke · Shop: [qyvea.co.ke/products](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) · Facts: [qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts](https://qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts)