How to Recover Lost Videos from Security Cameras

Our home security cameras are there to secure our property, especially our homes and family. However, if something goes wrong with it, you need to know how to recover lost videos from security cameras, Let's talk about this...

Yes, you got the best home security system. However, technology may have its glitches, too. It cannot be avoided that devices and equipment might malfunction at times. This is the reason why reputable companies have warranties and technical support that go with their products.

Why is important to learn how to recover deleted CCTV footage

The main reason why we have home security systems is to keep our home and family safe. However, this does not apply to our homes only. It may also be used in business establishments and other public places.

Why recording CCTV footage is important? Videos stored in security camera systems help to solve crimes. Be it petty or severe crimes.

For instance, your home is a victim of burglary (as there are burglars who are brave enough to commit crimes despite the presence of CCTV cameras).

When you checked your security cameras, you cannot find the stored video of the time when that crime happened. Did your security camera serve its purpose? 

Naturally not. Therefore, you will not have any idea of the identity of the burglar and how it happened.

Another unsolved crime and who knows, there might be a second “attack.” 

However, if you have the needed videos, then it can serve as evidence and can lead to the apprehension of the culprit. Therefore solving the crime and making the criminal pay for it.

So, what do we do when malfunctions happen? Especially if you have videos which have gone “missing” on your home security cameras. Here are some tips on how you can resolve this issue. Read on and find out how you can recover lost videos from security cameras.

What causes video loss in security cameras?

Before resolving the issue on video loss, let us first find out why it happens. There are several reasons why video loss occur.

One reason is software or hardware issues. There are instances when these issues affect saved videos, therefore either corrupting it or leading to the loss of these videos and images.

Aside from software or hardware issues, security camera video loss may also be due to power supply, wirings, and internet connectivity. 

There is also the factor of human error. In other words, there are times when we accidentally delete some videos caved on our security cameras.

The security camera video loss issue may also be due to defective infrared night vision, old firmware, loss of radio signal, or hard drive corruption.

Methods for Recovering Lost Security Camera Videos

We are now aware of the importance of security camera videos and the reasons why there are times when it gets lost. Now, let us learn about the different ways on how we can recover these lost videos and resolve the video loss issue.

Restoring Videos from Backup

You can restore the videos from the backup. This is the reason why, during set up and installation, you need to maintain the backup of your security camera videos and images at external drive. You can restore these lost videos from there.

A good thing to do is to save in the cloud. You will not encounter the problem of accidental deletion or other issues about video loss if you store in the cloud.

It also leaves more space on your security camera recording device. Cloud storage also allows for easy access to your security camera videos regardless of where you are or what time you access these videos.

Recover Lost DVR/NVR Videos

You can recover DVR/NVR videos at the data recovery center. This is usually the last method to do when all else fails.

This is applicable when the DVR/NVR drive is physically damaged. If this is the case, Images or videos may be recovered at a data recovery center certified by ISO.

They are capable of retrieving such data securely and safely from damaged external or internal hard drives.

Accidentally or intentionally deleted videos may also be recovered. You can do this with the help of a Removable Disk Drive.

The removable disk drive is capable of retrieving data from various digital media storage devices. To do this, connect the target SD card to your computer using a card reader. Then you can go on with the recovery process.

Recovering CCTV Lost Video by Using Video Recovery Software

Stellar Photo Recovery

The Stellar Photo Recovery software can help you recover these lost videos if you have not maintained a backup of lost videos or images on your security camera. 

Here's how to recover your files:

1) Launch Stellar Photo Recovery Software.

2) On the home screen of the software ‘Select What to Recover.’ Click Next.

3) Next step is to select the location from where you want to recover. Click Scan to start the scanning process.

4) A dialog box of ‘Scanning Completed Successfully!’ displays the scan results – number of files found and size of the data. 

In the left pane of the main window, all the recovered data is listed. You can preview them in the right pane. Note: If you do not see the videos you need on the list, select the Deep Scan option found at the bottom.

5) Click Recover. You can also choose to recover only the selective files. In other words, select videos that you need, right-click and click Recover.

6) Specify the location of where you want to save the videos on the dialog box. Click Save. All the videos get saved at the location you specified.

Minitool Power Data Recovery

MiniTool Photo Recovery and MiniTool Power Data Recovery are powerful recovery tools to help you recover lost videos and images from different digital video storage devices. For instance, USB disk, SD card, digital cameras, and many more.

CCTV/DVR surveillance videos are stored on a hard drive. Therefore, Minitool Photo Recovery Program may be used to recover these lost videos and images by using the hard drive. This tool has a free edition so you can check it out.

Here are the steps on how to use the Minitool Photo Recovery Program:

1) Connect the CCTV/DVR Hard Drive/SD Card to the PC and Open the Software

2) Select the Target Drive to Scan

3) Check Your Wanted Videos to Recover

4) Save the Selected Videos to the Specified Path

What to do if Video Loss is Detected

The first thing to do if you detect video loss on your security camera do not panic. There are several things you must check when this happens.

Power connections must be checked. Be on the lookout for loose cable connection. Fix them and change faulty power cables, especially the old ones. Then re-launch the cameras and software.

Try connecting the camera to a different port on the NVR or DVR. This will check if the port is working correctly or not. If the issue is in the port, then you need to replace it with a new one so the video may be displayed.

Check the connection of the camera to the power adapter. Make sure that it is connected properly.

The length of the Ethernet cable or Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) can affect your videos. Make sure that it is within the specified length. Longer cables result in poor image quality, especially if it is more than the required cable length.

Check the PoE and router switch if you are using a wireless security camera. Make sure the switch is working properly.

See to it that the infrared (IR) LEDs are on, and the camera is receiving enough power.

Update firmware regularly. This can handle the video loss or not playing issues, allowing your system to run smoothly. The latest firmware may be downloaded from the security camera’s website.

If all the tips above fail, and you are still unable to view the video, try switching off all the devices. Then reboot the cameras, including DVR or NDR. Next, unplug all power switches and plug them again.

To Wind Up

It is essential to remember that we need to make sure that our security camera system is working properly. We must not just leave the monitoring and surveillance of our property to this equipment.

We should also be responsible security camera system users and check on this equipment and monitor its performance every once in a while.

By monitoring your security camera system, you will know right away if something is wrong with it. They are, therefore allowing you to take the appropriate action to whatever issues it might encounter.

This way you will be assured that the security and safety that we expect this equipment to give our properties and family will be met.

Besides, making sure that our security camera system is well-maintained can also help solve crimes. But still, despite our effort in caring for these devices, errors might again occur due to technology glitches.

Do not panic. There are always solutions to every glitch in technology. All you need to do is educate yourself about them. One way to do this is to read.