How To Check If Your Security Camera System Is Recording

If your security camera system suddenly stopped recording or your NVR popped up a hard drive error, the quickest way to figure out what’s going on is to check whether the recorder can still see the drive. Hard drives in surveillance systems are constantly writing data, so it’s normal for them to wear out or lose connection over time.

Below is a simple walkthrough that covers the exact steps you should take. I also included a full video at the end of the post where I show everything on screen so you can follow along.

1. Open the NVR Menu

Using your mouse, open the main menu on the recorder.
Go to Storage → Hard Disk.
This page shows which drives are installed and whether they’re being detected.

2. Check the Drive Status

Your NVR may show one of the following:

Normal – The drive is being recognized and appears healthy.
Error – Something is wrong with the drive.
Unformatted – The NVR sees the drive, but it isn’t formatted yet.
No Disk – The NVR isn’t detecting any drive at all.

If the drive shows up, that’s a good sign. If it doesn’t, keep reading.

3. Try Formatting the Drive (If It’s Detected)

If the NVR sees the drive but shows an error, formatting may fix it.
Just keep in mind that formatting wipes all recordings.

Steps:

Select the drive
Check the box
Click Format

Once it finishes, look at the status again to see if it cleared the error.

4. Use the Built-In HDD Test

Most modern NVRs have a hard drive checker built in.
Go to:

Maintenance → HDD → Bad Sector Detect

Run the test on the drive you want to check.

Green = Healthy
Red = Damaged or failing

If you see red sectors, replace the drive. It’s only going to get worse.

5. If You See “No Disk,” Check the Connections

If the NVR says No Disk, the recorder probably can’t see the drive at all.

Before touching anything inside the unit:

Shut it down from the menu
Unplug the power
Wait 30–60 seconds

Then open the chassis.
Check:

The SATA data connector
The SATA power connector
The connectors on both the drive and the motherboard

Make sure everything is fully seated. A slightly loose cable can cause intermittent detection issues.

6. Restart the NVR

Reconnect everything in this order:

HDMI
USB mouse
Power

Once the NVR boots up, go back to Storage → Hard Disk and check if the drive is recognized.

If it still shows “No Disk,” the hard drive is most likely dead.

7. Replace the Hard Drive if Needed

Surveillance hard drives are designed for 24/7 use, but they still fail over time.
Replace the drive with a proper surveillance-rated model (not a desktop HDD).

If you’re unsure what size or type you need, feel free to reach out to us at CCTV Camera World.

Need a New Surveillance Hard Drive?

If your NVR still is not detecting the disk after checking the connections, the drive is likely failing. We only use surveillance-grade hard drives that are built for 24/7 recording.

Browse Surveillance Hard Drives

Watch the Full Video Tutorial

In the video I walk through everything step-by-step, including opening the NVR, reseating connectors, and running the bad sector test.

Wrapping Up

Checking the hard drive status is one of the easiest ways to figure out why your security camera system stopped recording. In most cases, the fix comes down to formatting the drive, reseating the connectors, or replacing a drive that’s simply worn out.

If you need help picking a replacement drive or want us to troubleshoot the system for you, we’re always here to help.

Thinking About Upgrading?

If your recorder is several years old or you are running out of storage, a modern NVR or complete security camera system can give you better performance, longer retention, and improved video quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my security camera system is actually recording?

The quickest way is to log in to your NVR and check the hard drive status under the storage menu. If you see a drive listed with a Normal status and the recording schedule is enabled, your system should be recording. You can also scrub back through the playback timeline to confirm there is recent video for each channel you expect to record.

What does "No Disk" mean on my NVR?

"No Disk" usually means the recorder is not detecting any hard drive. This can happen if the drive has failed, if it was never formatted for the NVR, or if the SATA data or power cable is loose inside the chassis. In the guide above and the embedded video, I walk through how to safely power the NVR down, open the case, and check those connections.

Can I use a regular desktop hard drive in my security camera system?

Desktop drives are not designed for 24/7 recording. For security camera systems you should always use a surveillance grade hard drive that is built for continuous write workloads. They run cooler, last longer, and usually have better warranty support for NVR and DVR use.

How often should I check the hard drive status on my NVR?

For most small systems, checking the NVR hard drive status a few times a year is enough. It is worth doing a quick check any time you make changes to the system, after long power outages, or if you notice missing footage. Running the built in bad sector test once in a while can catch a drive that is starting to fail before it dies completely.

Need Help?

If you want us to confirm compatibility or suggest the right hard drive or NVR for your setup, contact our support team at CCTV Camera World. We can help you get your system recording again with minimal downtime.