Hikvision HDD error (How to fix)

If you got the Hikvision HDD error on your DVR or NVR this article is for you.

What causes the Hikvision HDD error

Sometimes the error is also related to the faulty hardware, bad physical connection, or the incorrect setup.

Anyway, let's talk about every possible scenario, just keep reading...

Common HDD failure messages (general)

Usually a DVR checks for the existence of the hard drive during the boot process and if it can't find one available it displays a message such as.

• HDD not available
• Unformatted HDD
• HDD not exist
• HDD not detected
• HDD failure

Those are message displayed by recording devices such as DVRs or NVRs.

Common Hikvision HDD errors (and solution)

Here are the most common HDD issues related to the Hikvision DVRs and NVRs

The Hard Drive is not supported

Recording devices need to use reliable hard drives that won't fail.

That's especially true for Digital Video Recorders that works with security cameras just like the Hikvision devices we are talking about in this article.

A security camera recorder is designed to work 24/7 recording videos 365 days/year (or at least something closed to that) and can't depend on cheaper hardware like the one used on your personal computer.

I've seen this problem in several countries while visiting customers.

So, always check the HDD model to make sure it's homologated.

There's not enough power

The second most common reason for HDD failure is the power supply.

The hard drive has a motor with spin rates from 1,200 to 15,000 RPMs (Revolutions per Minute) and that kind of work needs power.

Hikvision DVRs usually come from the factory with the appropriate power supply but you need to make sure the power supply is the original one and that your power outlet or power cord is also delivering the power correctly.

Here are some things you can check

• What's the outlet or power cord voltage?
• Is the DVR internal power supply original?
• Is the UPS (Uninterruptible power supply) working correctly?

Just make sure the power is correct for your DVR, this is very important.

Cable connection

Sometimes you are in a hurry to have your system up and running.

This can lead to some common issues such as a bad connection.

There are two cables you need to connect from the DVR to the hard drive, one is to power it up and the other one is for data.

Make sure the cables are well connected and they are not loose.

This simple step can avoid a lot of headaches.

Inappropriate setup

Every time you install new hardware on a device you need to check if it is recognized by the operating system and the setup is properly done.

When installing the HDD on a Hikvision DVR (or NVR) just follow the step-by-step process to have the hard drive recognized and formatted.

Faulty HDD

Yeah, sometimes you just need to replace the hard drive if it's defective and it's not working properly.

That's why is important to buy devices from well-known manufacturers such as Seagate and Western Digital because by doing so you can minimize the chances of problems and also count on the manufacturer warranty.

Conclusion

A Hikvision HDD error occurs only when some of the instructions in this article are not followed. You must eliminate the HDD problems and abnormal errors to avoid a negative impact on the footage recording.

I hope this article is useful. Please share it with your friends.