A video recorder freezing or locking up usually indicates a faulty hard drive or power issue. Take these steps to troubleshoot:
- First inspect the unit for overheating. An environment such as an attic or storage closet can trap enough heat to cause a video recorder to behave erratically. Remove the chassis cover and inspect to make sure that all fans (mainboard and case) are operating properly. Inspect the mainboard for any visible damage such as missing compactors or burnt circuitry. Try powering off the unit, allowing it to rest for at least 10 minutes before powering on in a cool environment and see if the issue reoccurs.
- If the unit has any hard drives installed, disconnect all hard drives from the unit. Also disconnect any cameras attached to the system. Check the unit to see if the issue reoccurs after all devices are disconnected. If this corrects the issue, try adding in the cameras and test again. If the unit continues to function properly and there are multiple hard drives, try adding a single hard drive at a time to single out a faulty drive. If a single drive appears to be the culprit, test the hard drive by attaching it to a Windows computer and using a S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic software; contact technical support if a hard drive is faulty or if a hard drive test cannot be performed at the install.
- If any hard drive or cameras attached causes the unit to reboot or lockup after a period of time, then check for a power issue. Test the outlet or power source and try a different power source. Test the power adapter and try a different power adapter.
- If all of the above does not provide results, and there is time enough to do a firmware update (~10 minutes) before the unit reboots or locks up, download the latest firmware and update the device.
After exhausting all troubleshooting options, please call technical support as the unit may be defective.