Security camera recorder is broken: can the recordings be recovered?
Every attempt you make can turn recoverable data into data that can no longer be recovered.
In a security camera recorder (DVR or NVR), the footage is stored on the disk inside the device. If the device will not turn on, is not recording or shows a 'disk not found' warning, first switch it off and do not try again. Resetting the device or opening the disk yourself can destroy the recordings permanently. Whether they can be recovered depends on the condition of the disk, and we can only see that during analysis.
- Switch the device off and cut its power, then leave the disk connection inside untouched.
- Do not touch the 'format' or 'initialize disk' options in the recorder's settings.
- If you are going to send us the disk inside the device or the whole device, follow the steps on the shipping page.
- Do not run the 'format', 'initialize disk' or 'delete recordings' commands in the device settings.
- Do not keep switching the recorder on and off.
- Do not remove the disk, connect it to another computer and run a repair tool.
- Do not install the recording software on this disk or write a recovery program to it.
- Do not open the disk yourself. Dust causes permanent damage to the platter surface.
Where is the data stored in a security camera recorder?
DVR (for analog cameras) and NVR (for IP cameras) devices write footage to the hard disk or SSD inside the device. When the disk is full, the device writes new recordings over the oldest ones. So when a recording goes missing, the first thing we need to establish is whether the old recordings have been overwritten. We have the professional technical tools needed for this. If even a 1-second remnant is left, we recover it in the course of our work.
Most recorders store footage not in a standard file system but in the manufacturer's own format. So finding the recordings requires knowing the device's own structure. A general recovery program often cannot recognise this footage.
Which faults are common?
- The device will not turn on or keeps restarting
- It does not record, the recordings do not show or searching is not possible
- A 'disk not found' or 'disk error' warning appears
- Recordings become corrupted after a power cut or sudden shutdown
- The disk inside the device makes a clicking noise or does not spin at all
Each of these can point to a different fault. So rather than interpreting the symptom on its own, we decide by examining the device.
What should you do based on the symptom?
| Symptom | Possible cause | What should you do? |
|---|---|---|
| The device will not turn on | Power supply, motherboard or disk failure | Switch it off, cut the power, bring it to us |
| Not recording, but the device is on | Disk full, faulty disk or a settings problem | Leave the settings untouched and have the disk checked |
| 'Disk not found' warning | The disk's connection, its board or the disk itself may be faulty | Remove the disk from your recorder and bring it to us |
| Recordings are not in the list but the disk works | The file system may be corrupted or the recordings may have been overwritten | Call us for analysis without writing anything to the disk |
Is the recorder's own search program enough?
The device's own search screen can help if the disk is intact and the recordings have not been overwritten. If the disk is faulty or the recordings are corrupted, this screen cannot show anything, and straining the disk can make the fault worse. So if the problem continues, we recommend having an analysis done before you reformat the device.
What is done in the lab?
First we look at the condition of the disk and the recording structure. If the disk is intact, we take a copy of the whole disk and carry out the work on the copy, so the original disk is not damaged. If the disk is physically faulty, it is opened in a Class 100 (ISO 5) clean environment and copied to a healthy disk. On the copy, we decode the recording format and try to separate the footage by camera, date and time. For this we use professional tools from many different manufacturers, built specifically for recovering security camera recordings. How much footage can be recovered depends on the condition of the disk and the state of the data remnants on it.
The analysis fee is communicated in writing at the start; if you do not accept the quote, no work begins.
Related pages
- Deleted security camera recordings
- Corrupted security camera video
- Hard drive not showing up on the computer
- The first 10 minutes after data loss
- Software or lab?
- How long does data recovery take?
- All data recovery services
How long does it take and how much does it cost?
Standard jobs take 10 business days on average, urgent jobs 24 business hours on average. The actual time depends on the type of fault, sourcing the parts needed and the capacity of the disk. Some jobs are completed within a few hours, while others can take months.
The price depends on the type of fault, the parts needed and the time the work takes. After the analysis we send you the exact price in writing. If you do not accept the quote, you get your device back without paying. Not every case falls within the free analysis scope. For requests outside the free analysis scope, you receive written information about the analysis fee before any work begins. For details, see what determines the price and how long it takes.
Can the data always be recovered?
No, not in every case. If new recordings have been written to the disk, some of the old footage may not come back. Areas that have been completely overwritten cannot be recovered, but remnants may be left in skipped sectors; we cannot know this without an analysis. If the disk is seriously damaged, burned or has been in water, some or all of the data may not be recoverable. We cannot know the outcome without carrying out an analysis. After the analysis, you will be informed about the situation.
Frequently asked questions
If I reset the recorder, will the recordings be lost?
On most devices, resetting and formatting can erase some or all of the recordings. So if you want to recover the recordings, call us without touching the device's settings.
What if the disk inside the device is not recognised by a computer?
A recorder's disk is often prepared in a special format and may not be recognised when connected to a computer. That alone does not mean the disk is faulty. Instead of connecting the disk directly and trying, bring it to us for analysis.
Can some of the recordings be recovered?
Yes. If the disk is intact or the recordings have not been overwritten, they can be recovered. Even with overwritten recordings, fragments of footage may remain in skipped sectors. It is not possible to know which recordings can come back without carrying out an analysis.
Do I pay anything if I don't accept the quote?
No. The analysis fee is communicated in writing at the start; if you do not accept the quote, no work begins.
Let's assess your situation together: call 0212 909 56 19 or write to us on WhatsApp. See our contact page for the address and opening hours.
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